Middlesbrough are all set to field both their youngest and oldest ever players when they face Peterborough in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
With 24-year chasm of an age gap separating them, goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantapoulos will take up his position behind teenage defender Nathan Wood in the starting line-up.
Wood became Boro’s youngest ever player earlier this season when he came off the bench against Notts County aged just 16 years and 75 days – thus breaking a record which had previously stood for over a century!
At the other end of the scale, Konstantopoulos will be a venerable 40 years and 35 days when he plays against Posh, which will make him 45 days older than Boro’s previous record elder, Bryan Robson.
Indeed, Robson was 39 and 355 days old when he made his final appearance for the club (he was player-manager at the time) against Arsenal on 1st January, 1997.
Having confirmed both Konstantapoulos and Wood’s starting berths, Boro manager Tony Pulis had this to say:
That must be unique. You might have one or the other but to have both on the same pitch… I’ve never heard of that happening before.
It’s an amazing situation, supporters should come in and see it because it will be unique and will never happen again.
To get the youngest and oldest playing in one game. I have never had that before, not with that age difference.
Dimi could be his grandfather. It’s so unique but great for the occasion.
Not sure about the grandfather bit, but it surely must be a first.
Honestly, if anybody out there knows different, then please fill us in…