Emile Heskey
Template:Short description Template:Pp-vandalism Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Good article Template:Infobox football biography Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey (born 11 January 1978) is an English former professional footballer who currently serves as head of football development of Leicester City Women. Playing as a striker, he made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League over an 18-year career, and represented England in international football. He also had a spell in Australia, playing for the A-League club Newcastle Jets.
Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first-team debut in 1995. After winning the League Cup in 1997 and 2000 he made an £11 million move to Liverpool in 2000, which, at the time, was the record transfer fee paid by the club. At Liverpool, he won multiple honours, including the FA Cup in 2001. He moved to Birmingham City in 2004 and after their relegation from the Premier League signed for Wigan Athletic for a club record £5.5 million fee in 2006. He signed for Aston Villa in 2009 and was released in 2012 before signing for the Australian A-League club Newcastle Jets. After two years, he returned to England, finishing his career with Championship club Bolton Wanderers.
Heskey was an England international at under-16, under-18, under-21, B and senior levels. He made his England debut against Hungary in a 1–1 draw in 1999. He lost his place in the squad after UEFA Euro 2004, during which he failed to shine and was the subject of much criticism. After a long lay-off from international duty, Heskey was recalled to the England squad for UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers in September 2007. In England and Liverpool, Heskey formed a successful strike partnership with Michael Owen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He retired from international football following the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having attained 62 caps and scored 7 goals for his country.
In 2021, Heskey was announced as the head of women's football development at Leicester City Women.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Early lifeEdit
Heskey was born in Leicester, Leicestershire,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to a family of Antiguan descent,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and his father, Tyrone Heskey, ran the security of nightclubs in Leicester.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He attended City of Leicester School, Evington.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Club careerEdit
Leicester CityEdit
Heskey was a keen footballer in his childhood and played for Ratby Groby Juniors, a local youth team in Leicester.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He stood out amongst his peers and at the age of nine accepted a place at Leicester City's football academy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Progressing through their youth system, he made his first-team debut at the age of 17 while still a first-year trainee in a Premier League match against Queens Park Rangers on 8 March 1995.<ref name="Seasonal record: (Part 1) 1995-97">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Leicester were relegated to the First Division following the end of the 1994–95 season and he signed his first professional contract with the club on 3 October 1995.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He became a first-team regular in the 1995–96 season, making 30 league appearances.<ref name=Rothmans9697/> During this season, Heskey scored his first goal, which came in a 1–0 victory over Norwich City, in a season he managed to score seven goals.<ref name="Seasonal record: (Part 1) 1995-97"/> He helped Leicester earn promotion back to the Premier League, starting in the 1996 First Division play-off final on 27 May as they beat Crystal Palace 2–1.<ref name=1996POF>Template:Cite news</ref>
During the 1996–97 season, his first in the Premier League, Heskey scored 10 goals in 35 appearances,<ref name="Seasonal record: (Part 1) 1995-97"/> and scored the equaliser in the 1997 League Cup Final against Middlesbrough,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which Leicester won in a replay.<ref name=1997LC>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey was runner-up to David Beckham for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following season saw interest from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur for Heskey, as he again scored 10 Premier League goals, making him Leicester's top scorer that season.<ref name="Seasonal record: (Part 2) 1997-00">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, the 1998–99 season saw Heskey score only six top-flight goals, and he was criticised for not scoring enough goals and going to ground too easily.<ref name="Seasonal record: (Part 2) 1997-00"/> During this season however, he forged an effective strike partnership with Tony Cottee, who benefited from Heskey's unselfish style of play,<ref name="Seasonal record: (Part 2) 1997-00"/> which manager Martin O'Neill claimed kept the club in the Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey started for Leicester in the 1999 League Cup Final on 21 March, in which they were beaten 1–0 by Tottenham Hotspur.<ref name=1999LC>Template:Cite news</ref> He went on to win the League Cup again with a 2–1 win against Tranmere Rovers in the 2000 final on 27 February.<ref name=2000LC>Template:Cite news</ref>
LiverpoolEdit
Heskey signed for Liverpool on 10 March 2000 in a long-anticipated £11 million move, which, at the time, set the record transfer fee paid by the Merseyside club.<ref name="Heskey shrugs off record fee">Template:Cite news</ref> Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier looked forward to working with him, but stated that "at his age he is not the finished product".<ref name="Heskey shrugs off record fee"/> The press saw the move as expensive and risky as Heskey was relatively inexperienced and was not a prolific goalscorer.<ref name="Heskey's £11m burden">Template:Cite news</ref> However, he was held in high regard by both the England under-21 manager, Peter Taylor, and England and Liverpool teammate Michael Owen.<ref name="Heskey's £11m burden"/> Veteran Liverpool striker Ian Rush approved of the signing, noting that Heskey would "give Liverpool a different dimension", bringing strength to the Liverpool strikeforce and complementing Owen and Robbie Fowler's pacey play.<ref name="Heskey's £11m burden"/> Heskey made his debut in an Premier League clash with Sunderland on 11 March 2000 and scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory over Coventry City on 1 April.<ref name=sb9900/> He finished the 1999–2000 season with 12 appearances and 3 goals for Liverpool.<ref name=sb9900/>
He started in the 2001 League Cup Final on 25 February, in which Liverpool beat Birmingham City 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 extra-time draw.<ref name=2001LC>Template:Cite news</ref> He played in the 2001 FA Cup Final on 12 May 2001, starting ahead of Fowler, which Liverpool won 2–1 against Arsenal.<ref name=2001FAC>Template:Cite news</ref> Four days later, Heskey started in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final, in which Liverpool beat Deportivo Alavés 5–4 after extra time.<ref name=2001UC>Template:Cite news</ref> In the 2000–01 season, Heskey scored 22 goals for Liverpool as the club won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He started for Liverpool in the 2001 FA Charity Shield on 12 August, in which they beat Manchester United 2–1.<ref name=2001FACS>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored Liverpool's second goal when they beat Bayern Munich 3–2 in the 2001 UEFA Super Cup on 24 August.<ref name=2001USC>Template:Cite news</ref>
Heskey started for Liverpool in their 2–1 defeat to Arsenal in the 2002 FA Community Shield on 11 August 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was linked with a £12 million move to Tottenham Hotspur in December 2002, but Houllier insisted he was a part of his long-term plans and he remained at Liverpool.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The same year, Heskey made a six-figure donation to aid a consortium led by Gary Lineker in their bid to buy-out his former club, Leicester City, who were experiencing financial difficulties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started in Liverpool's 2–0 win over Manchester United in the 2003 League Cup Final on 2 March.<ref name=2003LC>Template:Cite news</ref> The 2002–03 season saw him score 9 goals in 51 appearances for Liverpool and received criticism for his low goal to game ratio, with Houllier claiming that his future at the club was safe.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He picked up a hamstring injury during a match against Newcastle United in January 2004, which ruled him out of action for three weeks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the 2003–04 season, Heskey faced increasing competition from Milan Baroš for a place in the Liverpool starting line-up.<ref name=espn>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He regained his place in the team after an injury ruled Baroš out for months and finished the season with 12 goals.<ref name=espn/><ref name=sb0304/>
Birmingham CityEdit
At the end of the 2003–04 season, Heskey signed for Birmingham City on 18 May 2004 on a five-year contract for an initial £3.5 million fee, which could have risen to £6.25 million,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and would thus have become Birmingham's most expensive player.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against CA Osasuna, which put his Premier League debut against Portsmouth in doubt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was eventually able to play against Portsmouth on 14 August, and the match ended as a 1–1 draw.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first goal came with a header in the eighth minute against Manchester City, which was enough to earn a 1–0 victory on 24 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of that season Birmingham finished 12th in mid-table. Heskey was named as the club's Player of the Season, Player's Player of the Season, finished as top goalscorer with 11 goals and won most man of the match awards.<ref name=espn/><ref name=BirminghamAwards>Template:Cite news</ref>
He suffered from an ankle injury against Blackburn Rovers on 19 April 2006,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and after passing a late fitness test, played in a 0–0 draw against Everton on 22 April.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Birmingham's 2005–06 season, during which Heskey scored only four goals in 34 league appearances, culminated in relegation to the Championship.<ref name=sb0506/> During this season, Heskey gave inconsistent performances and received abuse from Birmingham fans.<ref name=espn/> Birmingham managing director Karren Brady stated that Birmingham's relegation meant that the last £1.5 million of the maximum £6.25 million fee for signing Heskey from Liverpool would not be payable.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Wigan AthleticEdit
Heskey was signed by Premier League club Wigan Athletic on 7 July 2006 for a £5.5 million fee.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut against Newcastle United on 19 August 2006, which his new team lost 2–1.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On his 500th league appearance, Heskey scored his first goal for Wigan in a 1–0 Premier League victory over Reading on 26 August.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored 8 goals in 36 appearances in the 2006–07 season,<ref name=Sky0708/> as Wigan avoided relegation on goal difference over Sheffield United, against whom Heskey played well on 13 May 2007, in a match he nearly scored a bicycle kick.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Heskey suffered a suspected broken metatarsal in September 2007,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and made his return for Wigan in a 2–0 defeat to Arsenal in November.<ref name=sb0708/> He picked up an ankle injury during Wigan's 5–3 victory against Blackburn in December 2007.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 14 April 2008, Heskey scored a 90th minute equalising goal against Chelsea, which damaged their hopes of winning the Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He went on to score Wigan's equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur in the following match to give them a 1–1 draw,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which proved to be his last goal of the 2007–08 season, which he finished with 4 goals in 30 appearances.<ref name=sb0708/>
His first goal of the 2008–09 season came in Wigan's fourth match,<ref name=sb0809/> a 5–0 victory against Hull City at the KC Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He hinted in October 2008 that he would be interested in leaving Wigan to play in the Champions League,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> although Wigan manager Steve Bruce hoped to persuade him to sign a new contract at the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey commented on reports of interest from Liverpool by saying "It would be lovely. We'll see how it goes."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his 100th goal in the Premier League against Portsmouth on 1 November 2008, which secured a 2–1 victory for Wigan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, hinted that Heskey could be transferred by Wigan in January 2009, as a fee would be received, whereas he would move on for free in the summer, which came after he had stalled on talks over a new contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Bruce said he would only accept an offer for Heskey if it was "outrageous".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He later said he was confident of keeping Heskey at the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey picked up a hamstring injury during a match against Bolton Wanderers in December 2008, which resulted in him missing an FA Cup third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He later said he would stay at Wigan and see out his contract until the summer of 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Aston VillaEdit
Heskey signed for Aston Villa on 23 January 2009 for a £3.5 million fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut four days later against Portsmouth and scored with a shot from 20 yards, the first time he had scored on a club debut.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored one more goal before the end of the season, with the opening goal in a 1–1 draw with West Ham United.<ref name=sb0809/> He finished the 2008–09 season with 14 appearances and 2 goals for Villa.<ref name=sb0809/>
He suffered from concussion after minutes into a Peace Cup pre-season friendly match against Málaga in July 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey was reported to have said he was considering leaving Villa during the January 2010 transfer window, to help ensure he would be chosen for the England team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to which manager Martin O'Neill responded by saying "There are players at this club with England ambitions. I wouldn't be overly concerned about all that yet."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Heskey later denied he was seeking to leave Villa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> O'Neill told him to "build up a head of steam" in February 2010, saying he was concerned that Heskey's injuries were denying him from producing his best form.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started for Villa in the 2010 League Cup Final, in which they lost 2–1 to Manchester United.<ref name=2010LC>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey finished the 2009–10 season with 42 appearances and 5 goals.<ref name=sb0910/>
His first appearance of the 2010–11 season came after starting in a 1–1 draw at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League play-off first leg.<ref name=sb1011/> Under Gérard Houllier, who previously managed Heskey at Liverpool, the striker enjoyed a successful start to the 2010–11 campaign including winning goals in the local derbies with Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion.
On 7 May 2011, in Aston Villa's home match against Wigan, Heskey barged into referee Mike Jones and continued to argue with him because he did not award a free kick for an alleged elbow by Antolín Alcaraz. Heskey received a yellow card for his behaviour and had to be restrained by teammates such as Brad Friedel and captain Stiliyan Petrov. He played for the remainder of the half, but had to be restrained again in the tunnel at the interval. Caretaker manager Gary McAllister chose to substitute him for Marc Albrighton at half-time, and Heskey was not allowed to remain at the stadium for the rest of the match. Despite his outburst, Heskey received no punishment from either Villa or The Football Association. Teammate Luke Young later said that Heskey was "lucky he didn't get sent off".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Heskey remained with Villa for one more season, in which he scored just once, in an August 2011 win over Blackburn.<ref name=sb1112/> He was released in May 2012 after being told he would not be offered a new contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Newcastle JetsEdit
Heskey signed for Australian A-League club Newcastle Jets on 21 September 2012 as their marquee player for the 2012–13 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut in the Jets' 2–0 home defeat to Adelaide United, in which he was substituted in the 72nd minute for James Virgili.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey scored his first A-League goal in a 3–2 away win against Sydney FC on 13 October 2012.<ref name=Soccerway/> In five starts, Heskey put his goal tally up to five, with his goal against Sydney FC, followed by one goal against F3 Derby rivals the Central Coast Mariners, two goals against Melbourne Victory on 26 October and one goal against the Western Sydney Wanderers, which took him to joint top scorer of the league. The match against Melbourne featured "Heskey Cam", which allowed the viewer to track Heskey's movements with one camera throughout the match.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Having finished 2012–13 with 9 goals in 23 appearances and earning a nomination for the Jets' Player of the Year award, Heskey signed a new contract for the 2013–14 season in April 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After scoring once in 19 appearances in the 2013–14 season,<ref name=Soccerway/> Heskey left the Jets to pursue a move to an English club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bolton WanderersEdit
After a successful trial Heskey signed for Championship club Bolton Wanderers on a short-term contract on 24 December 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut two days later as a half-time substitute for Robert Hall with Bolton 1–0 down at home to Blackburn, but after scoring the equalising goal in the 59th minute Bolton went on to win 2–1.<ref name=sb1415/> His goal was set up by another 36-year-old forward who the club had signed that month, Eiður Guðjohnsen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey was released by Bolton when his contract expired at the end of 2015–16 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He subsequently retired from playing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Post-playing careerEdit
Heskey joined Cheshire League One club Egerton in 2017 as a coach, alongside Jlloyd Samuel, Jim Cherneski and Dean Gorré.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2020 Heskey revealed that he was on a UEFA Management course and was looking to take up an internship with Leicester City's women's team as part of it.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September, he was appointed to an ambassadorial and mentoring role with Leicester City Women as they worked towards professional status, and tasked with supporting the club's head of women's football, Russ Fraser, with developing the academy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Fraser left a year later, and Heskey succeeded him as head of women's football development.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web
}}</ref> Leicester Women's manager, Jonathan Morgan, was sacked on 25 November 2021 after the team began the 2021–22 FA WSL season with eight successive losses, and Heskey took over the role on an interim basis.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Five days later, it was announced that Lydia Bedford would succeed Morgan as manager, but Heskey was allowed to prepare for the team's upcoming League Cup tie against Manchester United.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web
}}</ref> His sole match in charge was won on penalties, following a 2–2 draw in regular time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web
}}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web
}}</ref>
On 18 August 2023, Heskey was appointed as a coach supporting the England U18s ahead of the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup as part of The Football Association and Professional Footballers' Association's joint England Elite Coach Programme (EECP).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
International careerEdit
Youth levelEdit
Heskey gained his first international recognition with the England national under-16 team, making his debut on 26 April 1994 as a substitute in 1–0 win over Portugal in their opening match at the 1994 UEFA European Under-16 Championship.<ref name=Rothmans9495>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first start came two days later as England drew 1–1 with the Republic of Ireland.<ref name=Rothmans9495/> All four of Heskey's under-16 caps came at this tournament, in which England were eliminated in the quarter-final by Ukraine, losing 7–6 on penalties after a 2–2 extra-time draw.<ref name=Rothmans9495/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Heskey made his debut for under-18s on 16 November 1995 when starting against Latvia in 1996 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualification, scoring both goals in a 2–0 win in the second and 58th minutes.<ref name=11v11>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He played in all four matches for the team at the 1996 UEFA European Under-18 Championship, scoring in the 18th minute of the third-place match against Belgium as England won 3–2 after extra time.<ref name=11v11/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He finished his under-18 career with eight appearances and five goals.<ref name=11v11/>
Heskey went on to gain recognition with the under-21 team, making his debut after starting in a 0–0 draw with Poland on 8 October 1996;<ref name="England's Under 21 Matches featuring Black Players">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a year later on 30 May 1997, he scored against the same team in a 1–1 stalemate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Making his final appearance on 29 March 2000 in a 3–0 victory over FR Yugoslavia in a 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification play-off,<ref name="England's Under 21 Matches featuring Black Players"/> he finished his under-21 career with 17 caps, in which he scored six goals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was capped once by the England B team, against Chile on 10 February 1998, scoring a 90th-minute goal in a 2–1 defeat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Senior levelEdit
Heskey was given his first call-up to the senior England team for a friendly against the Czech Republic on 18 November 1998, but did not play.<ref name="Emile Heskey Profile">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest in a 1–1 draw on 28 April 1999 and made his first start against Argentina at Wembley Stadium on 23 February 2000.<ref name="Emile Heskey Profile"/> That showing ensured he was in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2000.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, his two substitute performances in the tournament could not help England, as the team were eliminated in the group stage.<ref name="Emile Heskey Profile"/>
2002 FIFA World CupEdit
In September 2001, Heskey scored to "make it five" in England's 5–1 win away in Germany in a qualifying match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This was accompanied by his DJ goal celebration, a celebration he popularised.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey was selected in the squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was used as a makeshift option to play in England's left-wing role in the match against Sweden, but did not perform well out of his regular position.<ref name=England>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored against Denmark in England's 3–0 victory, which saw England reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.<ref name="England brush Danes aside"/> He featured in the match where England were beaten 2–1 by the eventual champions Brazil.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
UEFA Euro 2004Edit
He and teammate Ashley Cole received abuse from some Slovakia supporters when England played them in a Euro 2004 qualifier in October 2002,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which led to UEFA opening an investigation into the allegations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Slovakia were eventually forced to play their next home international behind closed doors.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey's place in the England squad had been placed under scrutiny in 2003 with the emergence of Wayne Rooney into the England squad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, despite being criticised for his lack of international goals,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he continued to be an integral part of the international squad and took over the captaincy from Michael Owen after he was substituted when England beat Serbia and Montenegro 2–1 in his hometown of Leicester in June 2003.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heskey was named in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2004,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but failed to perform well, and was the subject of much criticism.<ref name=espn/> He came on as a substitute while England were leading 1–0 against France and fouled Claude Makélélé on the edge of the penalty area, giving away a free kick from which France equalised. England eventually lost 2–1.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2006 FIFA World Cup qualificationEdit
Heskey was recalled into the England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan in 2005, after having been dropped following the match against Ukraine in August 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since the emergence of Peter Crouch in the England squad, the possibility of a recall receded further.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
UEFA Euro 2008 qualificationEdit
Heskey's international appearances under manager Steve McClaren were limited, although he was recalled to the England squad in September 2007 for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers as cover for the injured Rooney against Israel and Russia,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> on the recommendation of Michael Owen, after stating that he wanted to play alongside Heskey.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started the match against Israel and played an important role in the England attack, and by featuring he became the first England player to be capped for England whilst playing for Wigan Athletic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey also started the next match against Russia, fighting off competition from Peter Crouch for a place in the team,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> during which he created an assist for Owen's second goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was widely praised for his performances in the two matches, with former England international Alan Shearer commenting, "Never in a million years did I expect to be discussing whether Emile Heskey should keep his place ahead of Wayne Rooney but the Wigan striker was outstanding over both matches."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2010 FIFA World Cup qualificationEdit
Heskey was called into manager Fabio Capello's first squad against Switzerland,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but had to withdraw due to an injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was called into the squad for a friendly against the Czech Republic in August 2008 and came on as a 46th-minute substitute, in a match that finished 2–2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He featured in the following 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification victories against Andorra and Croatia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey was alleged to have been racially abused during the match against Croatia, with monkey chants being heard from sections of the Croatia support,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after which FIFA opened an investigation,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and eventually fined the Croatian Football Federation £15,000 for the incident.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He played his 50th match for England in the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Belarus on 15 October 2008,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after which he was credited as helping Wayne Rooney's improved form in international matches,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with the two forming an effective strike partnership and keeping Owen out of the team.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started in a friendly against Spain in February 2009, which drew an angry reaction by Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who wanted to know why Capello played Heskey after suffering from an injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey scored his first goal for England in six years against Slovakia, scoring England's first in a 4–0 victory at Wembley Stadium.<ref name="England 4–0 Slovakia"/> He picked up a hamstring injury during this match, which forced him into withdrawing from the squad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored in a 4–0 victory over Kazakhstan in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in June 2009, which was his first competitive goal for England in seven years.<ref name="Kazakhstan 0–4 England"/>
2010 FIFA World CupEdit
Heskey was named in England's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2010 World Cup on 11 May 2010 and was eventually chosen for the final 23-man squad on 1 June.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heskey injured England captain Rio Ferdinand during a training session on 4 June, which ruled Ferdinand out of the tournament.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started in England's opening match, a 1–1 draw with the United States and assisted Steven Gerrard's goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Heskey retired from international football on 15 July 2010, at the age of 32, having scored 7 goals in 62 appearances for England.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Style of playEdit
Heskey played as a striker, being a mobile yet powerful targetman, gifted with pace, physical strength, and an ability to utilise his height to win aerial challenges; he was also an intelligent and hard working player,<ref name=England/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="simple but effective">Template:Cite news</ref> known for his movement and athleticism.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His play was likened to "a blunt instrument with which to bludgeon defences".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His main contributions to the team lied in the way he held the ball up with his back to goal and drew defenders out, leaving space behind him for another player to score.<ref name=England/> He was credited as being an unselfish player who would link-up well with other players and create space or chances for teammates, allowing other forwards to benefit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was not a prolific goalscorer, or particularly graceful or skilful from a technical standpoint, but was able to provide a significant number of assists when deployed as a second striker in an attacking partnership alongside another striker.<ref name="simple but effective"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="goals and guts">Template:Cite news</ref> He was quoted as saying "Forwards are judged on their goalscoring but I like to think I bring a lot more to the game and I do get pleasure from assisting".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He impressed the England staff with his versatility, as he could also play down the left wing,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in addition to his usual role as an out–and–out striker;<ref name="goals and guts"/> he also drew praise from managers and teammates over his selfless team-play.<ref name="goals and guts"/> However, he was criticised by the media for his lack of goals and perceived poor mentality;<ref name="goals and guts"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> lapses in his goalscoring were described as being "hardly uncommon".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was stated in 2008 that "It is only the perception of his talents that changes" after Heskey stated he was no better or worse than before.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although primarily a forward, he was also used in a more withdrawn role on occasion during his time with Aston Villa, functioning as an attacking midfielder, whose role was to link-up the midfield with the attack, or even as a central midfielder.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Heskey was the partner of Kylee Pinsent but left her in 2004<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and married Chantelle (née Tagoe) in May 2014 at Rookery Hall, Cheshire.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started seeing Tagoe secretly in 2002, who worked part-time as a waitress at a lap-dancing bar in Liverpool, while still in a relationship with Pinsent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following the revelation of his two-year affair with Tagoe, Pinsent broke up with Heskey. He is the father of six children, three of them with former partner Pinsent and three with Tagoe.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> His fiancée Tagoe was held at knifepoint at their home in Hale, Greater Manchester in July 2008, while he was at a training session.<ref name="Heskey's wife held at knifepoint">Template:Cite news</ref> The thieves burgled the house and stole Heskey's car but neither Tagoe, nor their two (at the time) children who were in the house, were hurt.<ref name="Heskey's wife held at knifepoint"/> Following this, he said Tagoe was "very, very distressed" by the incident.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009, he was rated as owning a personal fortune of £12 million.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Heskey and other members of the England team supported the Shoe Aid for Africa campaign in 2009, which was aimed at helping underprivileged children in Africa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Heskey's sons Jaden and Reigan are youth team players for Manchester City.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 19 March 2023, Jaden scored in City Under-21s 6–0 win over Manchester United.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In June 2024, Heskey was ordered to pay a bill for legal fees of almost £200k following a seven-year dispute with HMRC over an unpaid tax bill.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Career statisticsEdit
ClubEdit
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Leicester City | 1994–95<ref name=Rothmans9596>Template:Cite book</ref> | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 1995–96<ref name=Rothmans9697>Template:Cite book</ref> | First Division | 30 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 3Template:Efn | 0 | 35 | 7 | |||
| 1996–97<ref name=sb9697>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 35 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | — | — | 47 | 12 | ||||
| 1997–98<ref name=sb9798>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 35 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | — | 39 | 10 | |||
| 1998–99<ref name=sb9899>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 40 | 9 | ||||
| 1999–2000<ref name=sb9900/> | Premier League | 23 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 35 | 8 | ||||
| Total | 154 | 40 | 11 | 0 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 197 | 46 | |||
| Liverpool | 1999–2000<ref name=sb9900>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 12 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 3 | |||||
| 2000–01<ref name=sb0001>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 36 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 11Template:Efn | 3 | — | 56 | 22 | |||
| 2001–02<ref name=sb0102>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 35 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17Template:Efn | 5 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 56 | 14 | ||
| 2002–03<ref name=sb0203>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 32 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11Template:Efn | 3 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 52 | 9 | ||
| 2003–04<ref name=sb0304>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 35 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6Template:Efn | 2 | — | 47 | 12 | |||
| Total | 150 | 39 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 45 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 223 | 60 | |||
| Birmingham City | 2004–05<ref name=sb0405>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 34 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 11 | |||
| 2005–06<ref name=sb0506>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 34 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 40 | 5 | ||||
| Total | 68 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 78 | 16 | |||||
| Wigan Athletic | 2006–07<ref name=Sky0708>Template:Cite book</ref> | Premier League | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 8 | |||
| 2007–08<ref name=sb0708>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 28 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 4 | ||||
| 2008–09<ref name=sb0809/> | Premier League | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 82 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 88 | 15 | |||||
| Aston Villa | 2008–09<ref name=sb0809>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 2 | |||
| 2009–10<ref name=sb0910>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 31 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | — | 42 | 5 | |||
| 2010–11<ref name=sb1011>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 19 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2Template:Efn | 1 | — | 25 | 6 | |||
| 2011–12<ref name=sb1112>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 92 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | 110 | 14 | ||||
| Newcastle Jets | 2012–13<ref name=Soccerway>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
A-League | 23 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 9 | ||||
| 2013–14<ref name=Soccerway/> | A-League | 19 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 42 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 42 | 10 | |||||||
| Bolton Wanderers | 2014–15<ref name=sb1415>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 18 | 1 | ||||
| 2015–16<ref name=sb1516>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 45 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 48 | 3 | |||||
| Career total | 633 | 130 | 42 | 7 | 55 | 13 | 51 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 786 | 164 | |||
InternationalEdit
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1999 | 4 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 62 | 7 | |
- England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Heskey goal.<ref>Template:Englandstats</ref>
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 June 2000 | National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta | 7 | Template:Fb | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| 2 | 28 February 2001 | Villa Park, Birmingham, England | 12 | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| 3 | 1 September 2001 | Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany | 17 | Template:Fb | 5–1 | 5–1 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| 4 | 15 June 2002 | Niigata Stadium, Niigata, Japan | 28 | Template:Fb | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup | <ref name="England brush Danes aside">Template:Cite news</ref> |
| 5 | 22 May 2003 | Kings Park Stadium, Durban, South Africa | 33 | Template:Fb | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| 6 | 28 March 2009 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 52 | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 4–0 | Friendly | <ref name="England 4–0 Slovakia">Template:Cite news</ref> |
| 7 | 6 June 2009 | Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan | 53 | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification | <ref name="Kazakhstan 0–4 England">Template:Cite news</ref> |
HonoursEdit
Leicester City
- Football League Cup: 1996–97,<ref name=1997LC/> 1999–2000;<ref name=2000LC/> runner-up: 1998–99<ref name=1999LC/>
- Football League First Division play-offs: 1996<ref name=1996POF/>
Liverpool
- FA Cup: 2000–01<ref name=2001FAC/>
- Football League Cup: 2000–01,<ref name=2001LC/> 2002–03<ref name=2003LC/>
- FA Charity Shield: 2001<ref name=2001FACS/>
- UEFA Cup: 2000–01<ref name=2001UC/>
- UEFA Super Cup: 2001<ref name=2001USC/>
Aston Villa
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2009–10<ref name=2010LC/>
Individual
- Birmingham City Player of the Season: 2004–05<ref name=BirminghamAwards/>
- Birmingham City Players' Player of the Season: 2004–05<ref name=BirminghamAwards/>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Navboxes Template:Birmingham City F.C. Player of the Year