Spice Boys (footballers)

The Spice Boys is a group of Liverpool F.C. footballers from the mid-1990s, seen typically as being comprised of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Stan Collymore, Jamie Redknapp, David James and Jason McAteer. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20080517/ai_n25444745 James suited to dressing down for 'Spice Boys' reunion party | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET ] ]

The era was a largely unsuccessful period for Liverpool, and the group were cast as "nearly men" and rather derogatorily, "Spice Boys" – a term coined to characterise their antics as underachieving playboys in the game, winning nothing in spite of an obvious pool of natural talent, drawing comparisons with the vacuous and fleetingly successful Spice Girls. The comparison was also aided by unfounded tabloid rumours that Fowler was dating Spice Girl Emma Bunton. The defining moment for the players was seen as the 1996 FA Cup Final, when the Liverpool stars infamously wore cream suits and paraded around the pitch prior to kick-off, a game which they went on to lose to rivals Manchester United.

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