Footballers love talking about loyalty. One-club men. Badge kissers. “I’d die for this club.” But if The Traitors has taught us anything, it’s this: anyone can turn. Somewhere in the EFL, a contract is being negotiated. A release clause is being activated. And a fan favourite is quietly plotting their escape. Welcome to The EFL […]
Footballers love talking about loyalty. One-club men. Badge kissers. “I’d die for this club.” But if The Traitors has taught us anything, it’s this: anyone can turn.
Somewhere in the EFL, a contract is being negotiated. A release clause is being activated. And a fan favourite is quietly plotting their escape.
Welcome to The EFL Traitors – where not everyone who kisses the badge means it.
If you’ve ever caught an episode of The Traitors, you’ll know how this plays out.
We’re going to select our Traitors – EFL footballers who have previously gone under the radar or blatantly upset their fanbase, in forcing a move away or to a close rival.
After that, we’ll pick our players who have been as good as gold – proper ‘one club men’, worthy of being Faithfuls.
Then, we’ll select our Secret Traitors – our predictions on who is going to be next Marcelino Nunez and p*ss everybody off, apart from their new club of course!
It’s time to tiptoe around the roundtable and select our traitors – who has deceived all and pushed for a signing to a rival team – or just generally annoyed their fans!?
Infamous, Inevitable, Cook.
Andy Cook is well-known around the EFL’s bottom top leagues, and is especially well-known by his former clubs.
One of these is Mansfield Town, who the striker left to join Bradford City permanently in 2021.
Following this, in the 2021/22 season, Cook scored the winner against Town in the last minute, brilliant for Bradford fans, heartbreaking for Mansfield supporters.
To make it even worse, following his goal at the University of Bradford Stadium the next season, the striker cupped his ears to the entire away end full of Mansfield Town.
What a way to get a fanbase wound up!
Meanwhile, against Walsall in 2022 (who Andy Cook was at between 2018 and 2019), Cook scored a penalty to win Bradford the game.
In the celebrations, the striker shushed the entire Walsall home end as they booed. Ultimate s***housery!
If he’s on your team, brilliant. But, if he has played for you before, he can be a menace.
Nahki Wells is one of the most infamous footballers known in the EFL.
At Bradford City for the infamous 2012/13 League Cup run, he left the Bantams to join local rivals Huddersfield Town, a move that saw him described as a snake among the Bantams faithful.
Traitorous and sneaky behaviour, for sure, but perhaps a weaker game compared to the selected players coming up.
In July 2005, Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller made the transfer from Portsmouth to fierce rivals Southampton.
But what was so unordinary about this move – is that Fuller wasn’t the only Pompey asset heading across to the red half of Hampshire.
Fuller followed his former manager Harry Redknapp to St Mary’s, who had joined the Saints just 15 days after resigning at Portsmouth.
Both had unsuccessful stints at Southampton, before leaving to Premier League clubs shortly after, where Redknapp returned to Pompey and won the FA Cup – typical traitorous behaviour!
It’s safe to say that Fuller won’t be welcome back at Fratton Park anytime soon… the same can be said for Redknapp at St Mary’s!
The ultimate traitor, who ultimately wins the game.
Marcelino Nunez is the epitome of a sh*thouse.
Leaving your club for their biggest rivals, after scoring the winner against said rivals just a year before.
And then doing everything you can to make them hate you! Tremendous viewing – the audience’s favourite Traitor.
From scoring the winner for his then-club Norwich City on derby day…
…to joining rivals Ipswich Town and not being ashamed about it in any way whatsoever!
A transfer that ensured absolute chaos ensued between the two rivals – Nunez is the epitome of “what we love to see,” even when commentators tell us otherwise!
Next up is our Faithful section! These select few are being rewarded for excellent behaviour – real one club men.
Not many footballers can say that they only ever appeared for one football team – but Dean Lewington certainly can.
The only MK Dons player to have played for the club during its’ entire existence until retirement in 2025, Lewington formerly played for the club when it was based in Wimbledon.
Following the conclusion of his playing career in September, Lewington was awarded Freedom of the City of Milton Keynes.
While Pete Winkleman, the orchestrator of Wimbledon FC’s controversial move to Milton Keynes in 2004, is the real traitor here – Lewington has always played for the badge – even relocating to do so!
Whilst Liam Palmer has not been with Sheffield Wednesday his entire career (like Lewington had with MK Dons), his record, which has seen him miss just one season away from Wednesday can not understated.
Apart from his spell at Tranmere Rovers in the 2012/13 season, he has been at Hillsborough for his career span so far, loyal for sure.
Meanwhile, for his services to the club, Palmer was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Wednesday after the 2022-23 season, when the club was promoted to the Championship.
Whilst others players move in the face of trouble, Palmer has been there throughout, a true soldier to the club and a worthy faithful selection!
Mr Huddersfield Town. Jonathan Hogg made 410 appearances for the Terriers across 12 years, now that is loyalty.
Meanwhile, Hogg played with Town through the highs of the Premier League and lows of League One, more examples of his loyalty.
Furthermore, he made an average of 34 appearances for Huddersfield per season, proving his consistency in appearances, something that could be transferrable to the Traitors if he was to be a faithful.
For our final faithful pick, we have gone with Craig Forsyth.
Looking at his career, following an initial spell where he switched between several sides including Bradford and Watford, the defender found his footing at Derby County.
Since joining the Rams almost 13 years ago, at the start of the 2013-14 season, Forsyth has made 385 appearances for the club.
Meanwhile, he stayed with the club at the low point of League One football. Loyalty if nothing else.
At 36, it appears that no surprise move will be made anytime soon.
With him loyal, consistent, and having good ideas, Forsyth displays characteristics typically seen in faithfuls.
Our first secret traitor prediction is Murray Wallace, who plays for Huddersfield Town currently.
Wallace has already played for Millwall in his career already, regarded to as one of the most hated clubs in English football.
Meanwhile, last weekend, away at Stockport County, the defender had a fiery encounter with a fan (who chucked water on him) before the referee calmed the situation.
Considering these factors, Wallace is top of our list.
No – we don’t have a vendetta against Norwich City!
But the Canaries’ striker looks set to push for a move out of the club this month, after boss Philippe Clement afterwards claimed that Sargent had sent him a text saying he did not want to play “because of transfer things in his head”.
Are we watching another Norwich star push for a move to rivals, Ipswich Town, who need a striker, as we speak!?
Watch this space – Josh Sargent, you have been selected.
