Crouch sets Premier League record for substitute appearances

Asked years ago: "What would you be if you weren’t a footballer?" Stoke City striker Peter Crouch responded: "A virgin."

Well, Peter, you are a footballer, and as of Monday's substitute appearance at Brighton & Hove Albion's Falmer Stadium, the owner of a unique Premier League standard.

Crouch's second-half run-out was his 143rd substitute appearance, breaking Shola Ameobi's record.

The Macclesfield 36-year-old has enjoyed a profitable career in England's top flight with spells at Tottenham, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Liverpool, among others. Capped 42 times by England, Crouch is also the owner of the most headed goals in Premier League history, with his 51 noggin nods among his 105 league goals, exceeding Alan Shearer's record by five.

"That is the way I have always played my game and that will never change. I see centre-forwards hanging around outside the box and it blows my mind, I just can't get my head around it," Crouch told BBC Sport in October.

A talented footballer and a decent quote to boot, the legacy of Peter Crouch.