A former Sheffield Wednesday cult hero remains unemployed at 33 years old, after being released last summer.
Some iconic strikers have pulled on the Sheffield Wednesday shirt over the years, with some in recent times proving to be cult heroes among the Hillsborough faithful.
Names like Atdhe Nuhiu spring to mind, and maybe Lucas Joao too, but one who many might have forgotten about is Gary Madine.
Affectionately known as ‘goal machine’, the now 33-year-old played for Sheffield Wednesday between 2011 and 2015, featuring 113 times in all competitions and scoring 28 goals.
The Gateshead-born striker went on to enjoy a three-year spell with Bolton Wanderers where he scored 26 in 106 games, before then joining Blackpool in 2020.
And in another three-year spell the striker proved prolific, scoring 26 in 116 games, now boasting a total goals tally of 111 in 497 career appearances.
Blackpool release Gary Madine after serious injury
Madine’s 2022/23 season was cut short by a serous knee injury. He was eventually released by Blackpool but was linked with a return to Bloomfield Road at the end of last year, though Tangerines boss Neil Critchley quickly played that link down.
And now, at 33 years old and having been without a club for more than half-a-year, Madine remains on the free agent market, and what the future might hold for him remains to be seen.
Lower leagues could be calling for Madine
Although he’s been without a club for a while now, and seemingly laying low, it might simply mean that Madine has been working on his recovery.
He could be building up his fitness before putting himself out there and after such a serious knee injury, it could mean that he doesn’t start looking until the start of next season.
Madine will turn 34 shortly after the start of next season. But despite that, he was a consistent source of goals in spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton, and then Blackpool, and strikers can often score goals and play well into their 30s now.
Madine though may have to drop down the Football League pyramid to find a club that is willing to take him on, and to also be playing at a level where he can provide.
But if he can make his return then it’ll be a pleasure to watch him scoring goals again.