Footballers are known for their different characters and wild lives on and off the pitch but there are some players who left the beautiful game to preach the gospel.

While many retired footballers become coaches and businessmen or use their popularity to gain sponsorship, these players took the unconventional root of becoming clergymen.

1. Taribo West

The Super Eagles legend who no longer wears his trademark hairstyle once narrated how he was involved in occultism during his hey days as a footballer before his encounter with a female pastor, Patience Ikemefuna.



Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West is now a pastor. Photo: Fifa.com

West is now a pastor and founder of Shelter in The Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nations.



The 52-year-old during one of his sermons.

2. Peter Knowles

The Wolverhampton Wanderers player gave up the game to become a Jehovah's Witness in 1969. He was so good that Wolves held on to his registration until the early 80s.



Knowles during his prime with Wolves in the 1960's.

3. Phil Mulryne

The player was a former Manchester United star who was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on Saturday, July 8, 2017.

Mulryne was a product of the Manchester United youth academy and made his debut for Sir Alex Ferguson’s in 1997.



Mulryne during his ordination ceremony. Photo: The Sun

4. Gavin Peacock

The English former professional played as a midfielder and striker from 1984 until 2002 notably in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Chelsea where he was club captain.

In September 2008 relocated to Canada to study theology with a view to becoming a Christian minister. He is currently an Elder and Pastor at Calvary Grace Church in Calgary.



Gavin Peacock is an elder in a church in Canada.

5. Chase Hilgenbrinck

The American played as a defender for Ñublense and New England Revolution before sensationally retiring in 2008 at the age of 24 to become a pastor.

His Wikipedia page is detailed on how he joined the Catholic faith when the vocation director for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, sent him an extensive application packet.

6. Alan Comfort

Comfort became a Christian at age 20 while at Cambridge United and trained as an Anglican Vicar at Ridley Hall College in Cambridge. He has served as Chaplain to former club Leyton Orient for many years.



Comfort has a relatively successful career before become a clergyman.

He played for Middlesbrough and QPR in his career.

Hmmm