Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Brett Michael Emerton (born 22 February 1979) is an Australian former professional footballer who played for Sydney Olympic, Sydney FC, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Blackburn Rovers and the Australia national team. Able to play as a wide midfielder or defender, Emerton was known for his "speed, ball control and creativity."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Club careerEdit

Early careerEdit

Growing up in Macquarie Fields, Emerton first played for Gunners Soccer Club at Bensley Road as a five-year-old. He was nicknamed "the greyhound". During the following years he played for the Macarthur Rams.Template:Citation needed

Sydney OlympicEdit

Emerton was a product of the Australian Institute of Sport and started his career with Sydney Olympic in the National Soccer League in August 1996. During his stay at the club he impressed widely with his pace and stamina, as much as his play with the ball. After making 94 appearances and scoring 16 goals.<ref name=sbase>Soccerbase: Brett Emerton Template:Webarchive, Racing Post. Retrieved 14 July 2007.</ref> Emerton began to be noticed in Europe.Template:Citation needed

FeyenoordEdit

After captaining the Olyroos at the Sydney Olympics, Emerton joined Feyenoord in August 2000<ref name=sbase/> for a fee of £415,000.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He won a UEFA Cup winners medal in May 2002<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> (although Emerton himself was banned for the final)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and being named the 2002 Oceania Footballer of the Year. He made a total of 111 league and cup appearances for Feyenoord, scoring eleven goals.<ref name=sbase />

Blackburn RoversEdit

After being linked with several Premiership teams,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Emerton eventually joined Blackburn Rovers in July 2003 for an undisclosed fee, on a four-year contract, saying, "I've always dreamed of playing in the Premiership so to finally achieve it is great."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He turned down offers from other clubs so that he could play in his preferred position on the wing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored on his debut in a 5–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2003.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Manager Graeme Souness said of him: "Emerton is a top player. If he can keep up that level of trickery I will be quite happy."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his first Premier League season, Emerton played in 37 league games, scored two goals, and featured in 40 matches in all competitions. However, Blackburn failed to make progress in the UEFA Cup<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and struggled against relegation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Blackburn survived that season but again struggled in the 2004–05 season, not winning a game until September 2004.<ref name=Hughes>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the club preserved their Premiership status following a change of manager and reached the FA Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Emerton paid credit to new manager, Mark Hughes, "It is a huge achievement. When Mark came in we were in a bit of disarray but from the day he arrived we worked on our fitness. Everyone is better for that and it has shown in our performances."<ref name=Hughes />

A more successful season in 2005–06 saw Blackburn reach the 5th round of the FA Cup, losing to West Ham United,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the semi-finals of the League Cup and qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Following the end of the season, Emerton signed a new four-year deal at Blackburn in August 2006.<ref name=contract>Template:Cite news</ref> Mark Hughes described him as "a player who gives me a lot of options. He can carry the ball from one end of the field to the other. That's why teams have coveted him this summer."<ref name=contract /> Emerton made 47 appearances in the 2006–07 season<ref name=sbase /> as Blackburn finished in mid-table but reached the FA Cup semi-final for the second time in three years, losing to Chelsea,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and reached the knock-out stages of the UEFA cup, eventually losing out to Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the last 16.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2006–07 season, Emerton had made a total of 167 appearances for Blackburn in all competitions, scoring ten goals.<ref name=sbase />

In July 2008, Emerton signed a new four-year contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 31 January 2009, Emerton's 2008–09 season came to a halt versus Middlesbrough when during a tackle, he damaged his knee. It was revealed on 2 February that he had damaged his cruciate ligament, which meant he would miss the remainder of the season, 6 to 9 months being his expected recovery time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Brett Emerton.jpg
Brett Emerton at Blackburn Rovers

On 12 September 2009, Emerton made his long-awaited return to Premier League football as a second-half substitute in the 3–1 Blackburn victory over fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 4 October 2009, Emerton started his first match in 2009–10 since being injured at Middlesbrough the previous season, playing against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a heavy 6–2 defeat with Emerton playing 57 minutes before being replaced by substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen. In all competitions during the 2009–10 season, Emerton made a total of 29 appearances, scoring two goals, and providing four assists. Template:Citation needed

On 25 July 2010, he replaced Morten Gamst Pedersen in the 60th minute in the 2–1 defeat to Rangers in the Sydney Festival of Football tournament held in Australia, but could not prevent the team from losing. "The biggest cheer of the afternoon came on the hour mark with the introduction of Brett Emerton, the Australian crowd all standing to applaud the introduction of the Sydney-born midfielder.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Emerton scored his first goal of the 2010–11 Premier League season in a 2–1 victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on 25 September, in which he scored in the 92nd minute of injury time. On 4 December, he scored his second goal of the season at Ewood Park against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 43rd minute, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 victory. Emerton scored the opening goal, and his third goal for the 2010–11 season, against local rivals Manchester United. In Rovers' last Premier League match of the season against Wolves at Molineux, Emerton scored a volley on 38 minutes and also played the full 90 minutes in a 3–2 win. He was made captain for his final match for Blackburn against Everton at Ewood Park on 27 August 2011, playing the full 90 minutes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sydney FCEdit

On 25 August 2011, it was announced that Emerton had signed with two time A-League champions, Sydney FC on a three-year deal after terminating his contract with Blackburn Rovers by mutual consent returning him to his homeland after 11 years abroad.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was the Vice-Captain of Sydney FC. He made his début at Etihad Stadium against A-League giants Melbourne Victory, where he had a 33rd-minute penalty saved by Ante Covic and came off in the 84th minute in front of 40,000 people in attendance in the 0–0 draw. He scored his first goal in the round 7 game against the Central Coast Mariners from a free kick, but Sydney slumped to a 3–2 defeat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 23 March 2013, Emerton was shown a red card against Western Sydney Wanderers for a studs-up challenge on left-back and former teammate Shannon Cole. He received a straight red card even though he received a yellow card three minutes before.

On 20 July 2013, Emerton captained the A-League All Stars in the inaugural A-League All Stars Game against Manchester United, a match in which the A-League All Stars were thrashed 5–1, courtesy of goals from Danny Welbeck, Jesse Lingard and Robin van Persie. Emerton was substituted off in the 83rd minute of the match, and was replaced by Adelaide United midfielder Marcelo Carrusca.

On 16 January 2014, Emerton announced his retirement from professional football as a result of his persistent back problems.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International careerEdit

Emerton was captain of the "Olyroos", Australia's Olympic football team, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney,<ref> Template:Cite news</ref> where he was sent off against Nigeria as Australia were beaten 3–2 and went out of the tournament.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was named in the Australia squad for the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup held in South Korea and Japan<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and made the starting line-up in a shock win over France and a defeat by South Korea as Australia qualified from the Group stages.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Emerton was a member of the Australian national team that lost out on the final place in the 2002 World Cup finals in Korea and Japan when Uruguay beat Australia over two legs in November 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He played in the team that comprehensively beat England 3–1 at the Boleyn Ground in February 2003, scoring the final goal to seal an impressive win.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Emerton played in both legs of World Cup play-off against Uruguay in November 2005, when the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the first time that Australia had reached the finals of the World Cup since 1974,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was named in the Australian squad for the World Cup finals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was in the starting line-up for all three Group Stage games against Japan, Brazil and Croatia as Australia qualified for the second round.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Croatia>Template:Cite news</ref> However, he received two yellow cards against Croatia, was sent off in the 87th minute and subsequently missed the Socceroos' second round match against Italy.<ref name=Croatia />

Emerton scored two goals against Qatar in Australia's fourth match of World Cup Qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in Doha. The match finished 3–1 to the Australians, as the nation advanced to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers. He also scored two goals against Qatar on 15 October in Brisbane, one from the penalty spot and the other a right foot finish from a flowing Australian move. Since returning from injury Emerton has received an international recall for the upcoming matches against the Netherlands and Oman. In his return match for the Socceroos against the Netherlands, Emerton came on as a second-half substitute for Josh Kennedy, and made an exceptional return by looking dangerous on the right side of midfield. He then started the next match on against Oman and played a full 90 minutes. Emerton scored a late winner against Oman in the 2011 Asian Cup Qualifying fixture to give the Socceroos a 2–1 win. On 17 November 2010, he injured his hamstring whilst on international duty against Egypt in a 3–0 defeat in Cairo. On 25 January 2011, Emerton scored his 18th goal for his country and the fourth goal in the 73rd minute of the match when he scored against Uzbekistan in a 6–0 win in the semi-finals of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup after coming on from the bench. He played a total of 5 games at the tournament. On 5 June 2011, he captained Australia in the absence of Lucas Neill in a 3–0 victory over New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval. On 7 June 2011, Emerton started the friendly game against Serbia playing in the 0–0 draw. Emerton started and scored the winner in a 1–0 victory for the Socceroos against Hong Kong in East Asian Cup qualification.

Career statisticsEdit

ClubEdit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League CupTemplate:Efn Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sydney Olympic 1996–97 National Soccer League 18 2 18 2
1997–98 National Soccer League 24 3 24 3
1998–99 National Soccer League 21 2 21 2
1999–2000 National Soccer League 31 9 31 9
Total 94 16 0 0 0 0 94 16
Feyenoord 2000–01 Eredivisie 28 2 3 1 7 0 35 3
2001–02 Eredivisie 31 6 2 0 9 0 43 6
2002–03 Eredivisie 33 3 2 0 6 1 43 4
Total 92 11 7 1 22 1 121 13
Blackburn Rovers 2003–04 Premier League 37 2 1 0 2 1 40 3
2004–05 Premier League 37 4 7 1 0 0 44 5
2005–06 Premier League 30 1 7 1 0 0 37 2
2006–07 Premier League 34 0 7 0 6 0 47 0
2007–08 Premier League 33 1 3 0 4 0 40 1
2008–09 Premier League 20 1 2 1 0 0 22 2
2009–10 Premier League 24 0 5 2 0 0 29 2
2010–11 Premier League 30 4 2 0 0 0 32 4
2011–12 Premier League 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Total 247 13 35 5 12 1 294 19
Sydney FC 2011–12 A-League 26 4 26 4
2012–13 A-League 22 3 22 3
2013–14 A-League 9 0 9 0
Total 57 7 0 0 0 0 57 7
Career total 490 47 43 5 34 2 567 54

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InternationalEdit

Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>Template:NFT player</ref>
National team Year Apps Goals
Australia 1998 5 0
1999 0 0
2000 10 1
2001 7 3
2002 0 0
2003 2 1
2004 10 4
2005 11 2
2006 9 0
2007 8 1
2008 7 4
2009 3 1
2010 6 0
2011 13 1
2012 4 2
Total 95 20
Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Emerton goal.
List of international goals scored by Brett Emerton<ref>Brett Emerton - Goals in International Matches</ref>
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 15 November 2000 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland Template:Fb 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2 20 June 2001 Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand Template:Fb 1–0 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 2–0
4 24 June 2001 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia Template:Fb 2–0 4–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 12 February 2003 Upton Park, London, England Template:Fb 3–1 3–1 Friendly
6 4 June 2004 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia Template:Fb 2–0 3–0 2004 OFC Nations Cup
7 6 June 2004 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia Template:Fb 2–1 2–2 2004 OFC Nations Cup
8 9 October 2004 Lawson Tama, Honiara, Solomon Islands Template:Fb 4–0 5–1 2004 OFC Nations Cup
9 12 October 2004 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia Template:Fb 6–0 6–0 2004 OFC Nations Cup
10 3 September 2005 Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia Template:Fb 7–0 7–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 6 September 2005 Lawson Tama, Honiara, Solomon Islands Template:Fb 2–1 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 7 February 2007 Loftus Road, London, England Template:Fb 1–3 1–3 Friendly
13 15 June 2008 Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar Template:Fb 1–0 3–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 2–0
15 15 October 2008 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia Template:Fb 2–0 4–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
16 3–0
17 14 November 2009 Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman Template:Fb 2–1 2–1 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
18 25 January 2011 Al-Gharafa Stadium, Doha, Qatar Template:Fb 4–0 6–0 2011 Asian Cup
19 29 February 2012 Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia Template:Fb 4–2 4–2 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
20 3 December 2012 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong Template:Fb 1–0 1–0 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup

HonoursEdit

Feyenoord

Australia

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Australia U-20

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Australia U-17

Individual

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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