I’m one of the Premier League’s dirtiest players, but quit for Hollywood and reputation almost landed James Bond role

Vinnie Jones has progressed from a member of the ‘Crazy Gang’ to a member of Hollywood’s inner circle.

Not bad for a player regarded as the Premier League’s dirtiest ever, with seven red cards to his name.

Jones earned a reputation as a Premier League ‘hard man’ throughout his playing career.

Jones, who helped Wimbledon win an unexpected FA Cup against Liverpool in 1988 and also played for Chelsea and Leeds during his career, surprised competitors everywhere when he retired at the age of 34 to pursue a career in acting in 1998.

And, like his playing days, he has made a career out of being the ‘bad guy,’ starring in a number of cult favorites, frequently in violent roles.

Jones is the only player in Premier League history to have been sent off at least seven times in less than 200 games.

In the 1995/96 season, he became the only person in Premier League history to be issued his marching orders three times.

In addition, the nine-cap Wales international set the English football record for receiving the quickest yellow card, which came after only three seconds during an FA Cup match against Sheffield United in 1992.

In addition, while on international duty, he was sent off for a stamp on Georgia’s Mikhail Kavelashvili in a 1-0 Euro qualification defeat.

His ‘hard man’ persona has helped him become a very successful award-winning actor, with Jones earning the Empire Award for Best Newcomer and Best British Actor for his roles in ‘Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’, respectively.

He’s also brought his ability across the Atlantic, where he’s worked alongside Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Morgan Freeman, Bradley Cooper, and Patrick Stewart.

He has since become a successful actor since retiring in 1998 at the age of 34

He has starred in Guy Ritchie’s cult classics ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’

In addition, the nine-cap Wales international set the English football record for receiving the quickest yellow card, which came after only three seconds during an FA Cup match against Sheffield United in 1992.

In addition, while on international duty, he was sent off for a stamp on Georgia’s Mikhail Kavelashvili in a 1-0 Euro qualification defeat.

His ‘hard man’ persona has helped him become a very successful award-winning actor, with Jones earning the Empire Award for Best Newcomer and Best British Actor for his roles in ‘Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’, respectively.

He’s also brought his ability across the Atlantic, where he’s worked alongside Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Morgan Freeman, Bradley Cooper, and Patrick Stewart.

Jones helped Wimbledon win the FA Cup in 1988 where they shocked Liverpool to win it

“I might retire if I got that! I might hang my boots up.”

Jones is now set to show his fans his softer side in a new reality TV show about the great outdoors.

The 58-year-old told talkSPORT: “It’s on the farm, it’s about wildlife and conservation.

“It’s sort of the side of me that people don’t really know, so it’s enjoyable.”