In another universe, Darren Ambrose can count himself as a part of Premier League history.
With Ipswich Town falling into administration in early 2003, the club needed an immediate injection of funds and Ambrose was deemed as the man to provide it.
Ambrose, who was an England Under-21 international at the time, had interest from some of the Premier League’s heavy hitters, including Arsenal.
However, it was Newcastle who landed Ambrose in March 2003, with the deal allowed to fall outside of the traditional January transfer window due to the Tractor Boys’ perilous financial situation.
Although Ambrose claimed it was the pulling power of Sir Bobby Robson, who was in charge of the Magpies at the time, the midfielder conceded his love for Tottenham had a small part to play in his choice of where to go next.
Ambrose’s sliding doors moment
“I had an opportunity to go to Arsenal. Or, I had an opportunity to talk to Arsenal before I went to Newcastle,” Ambrose revealed on the Sports Bar.
“I was highly thought-of as a kid, so I had options.
“When I spoke to Newcastle, Sir Bobby Robson. I had a message off Arsenal saying, ‘Come and speak to us.’
“The Spurs side of me was probably a little bit involved in that (decision). But Darren Bent played for Tottenham and is a huge Arsenal fan, we know that.
“It (club rivalries) doesn’t really come into contention as a player. It was more Sir Bobby Robson in that situation.”
Ambrose made just one appearance for the Magpies in what was left of the 2002/03 campaign, before featuring 37 times across all competitions in the next term.
Gunner make history
However, had Ambrose ended up at Arsenal, he would have been a member of their Invincibles squad.
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The Gunners’ 2003/04 season is enshrined in history as they became the first Premier League club to remain unbeaten across all 38 fixtures.
No other club has managed to repeat the feat, underlining just how incredible Arsenal’s achievement was.
Unfortunately for Ambrose, he struggled to hold down a regular spot in Newcastle’s starting line-up and moved to Charlton in July 2005.
Ambrose spent four seasons at The Valley before joining Crystal Palace in the summer of 2009.
Lightning strikes twice?
The midfielder then had a serious case of deja vu when, at the end of his time with the Eagles in July 2012, he was once again faced with the prospect of going against his heart.
This time, it was Palace’s bitter rivals Brighton.
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“There was a chance (to join Brighton) before Birmingham,” Ambrose said.
“I said no, I went to Birmingham and ended my career. It went downhill from there!”
Ambrose’s stint with the Blues was beset by injuries as he made just 10 appearances before joining Greek side Apolon Smyrnis on loan.
A return to Ipswich followed before Ambrose moved to Colchester United in August 2015, which proved to be the final stop of his professional career.
