REBEL HELL

Van Hooijdonk blazed a trail of incredible sulks

- by STEVE JUDGE

FOOTBALLERS sulking their way to big transfers is nothing new, but there are levels to forcing a way out.

Alexander Isak is just the latest in a long list of stars who have looked to twist the arm of their employers to push through a lucrative move.

Pierre van Hooijdonk is the Premier League era pioneer of the lone striker.

But the reasons behind his three-month strike at Nottingham Forest in 1998 feel quite romantic compared to some of the toy-throwing pram-dwellers that have followed his lead.

The Dutch striker’s beef began with the club selling their best players and not bothering to replace them.