After yet another disappointing campaign under Nigel Worthington, and a continuation of the unenviable streak that will now see Northern Ireland fail to make a major tournament for at least 32 years, the IFA will seek out a new manager to try and reverse the fortunes of the small nation who have struggled in recent years for both talent and results on the international playing field.

It was a goal that ran out of superlatives as quickly as it happened. Time was motionless. To a degree it was unexpected, though there was no shock factor. The date: Saturday 22, March, 2003. Manchester United were 1-0 up against Fulham at Old Trafford, the protagonist of the piece putting them ahead from the penalty spot; his second should have won goal of the season.

Owen Hargeaves' bizarre online self-advertisement acts a reminder of the talent that is available to Premier League clubs in the form of free agents. The former Manchester United man has tongue firmly in cheek in proving his fitness in gym-based YouTube videos, but is nonetheless a come-and-get-me plea.

A host of Premier League clubs have released up to 123 players this summer with Patrick Vieira, Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson amongst the most high-profile stars let go this summer.

The official list of ‘free agents' released on Thursday night features former World Cup winners, former England internationals and Premier League champions.

Owen Hargreaves Released

A list of the top EPL players to be released on free transfers this summer has been announced, with some high profile named players now without a club. Jonathan Woodgate, Patrick Vieira and Matthew Upson will be on the hunt for new clubs, while Manchester United finally released Owen Hargreaves after he only played 11 minutes in 2 full seasons.

By Chris Wright

Just a list of the 123 players released by Premier League clubs this summer nothing more, nothing less.

In alphabetical order...

Arsenal; Thomas Cruise, Roarie Deacon, Mark Randall.

Nigel's chips are up at Villa Park

Aston Villa; Durrell Berry, John Carew, Ellis Deeney, Calum Flanagan, Harry Forrester, Arsenio Halfhuid, Isaiah Osbourne, Robert Pires, Nigel Reo-Coker, Moustapha Salifou

Birmingham; Marcus Bent, Lee Bowyer, Sebastian Larsson, James McFadden, Mitchell McPike, James O'Shea, Stuart Parnaby, Kevin Phillips, Daniel Preston, Luke Rowe, Robin Shroot, Maik Taylor.

Here is the list of players released by Premier League clubs this summer.

From Fulham: Zoltan Gera, Edward Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, John Pantsil, Matthew Saunders

Other interesting names:

Arsenal have released Thomas Cruise
Villa have released Nigel Reo-Coker could be an interesting signing
Birmingham have released Mitchell McPike
And Maik Taylor, for that matter
Blackpool have released half their squad, for obvious reasons
Manchester United have released Owen Hargreaves, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar.