Boro keeper old enough to be team-mate’s grandad
HISTORY will be made at the Riverside today when Middlesbrough’s oldest and youngestever players line up together against Peterborough.
Goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos at 40 years and 36 days has replaced former England captain and ex-Boro player-manager Bryan Robson as the club’s oldest professional.
And he is likely to feature alongside teenager Nathan Wood, who set a record in August when he came on as a sub in a Carabao Cup tie against Notts County just two months past his 16th birthday.
Witness
Konstantopoulos had just completed his fifth season at Kalamata in his native Greece when Wood was born on May 31, 2002 just a few miles away from Boro’s home ground.
And Riverside boss Tony Pulis is urging fans to turn up and witness football’s very own generation game.
“It is unique,” said Pulis. “It will never happen again, to get the youngest and oldest playing in one game.
“Dimi could be Nathan’s grandfather! It’s an amazing situation and I’ve never had that age difference before.
“Supporters should come along to witness the occasion for themselves.”
Konstantopoulos arrived in English football when his team-mate was one and played for Hartlepool before earning a move to Coventry.
He will make his 99th Boro appearance in the thirdround clash and, according to Pulis, it won’t be his last.
He added: “Dimi is a great professional who comes in with a smile on his face every day and does his best.
“He should keep playing for as long as he can.”
Centre-half Wood is the son of former Boro and Crystal Palace defender Dean Gordon and is tipped to become the next star off the club’s renowned production line.
“Nathan has a fantastic future, if he keeps his feet on the ground,” said Pulis.
“He needs to play and we are keen to get him out there. He’s a young lad but physically very capable.”
Pulis revealed centre-half Aden Flint faces several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
Meanwhile Rajiv van La Parra, his new signing from Huddersfield, will make his debut today.