18. Emile Heskey

Position: Forward Date of Birth: 11th January 1978 Place of Birth: Leicester, England Caps: 62* Height: 188cm

Emile Heskey joined his local side Leicester, aged only 9. He progressed through the youth academy and made his professional debut at only 17 years old. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 victory over Norwich City in 1995. He finished his first full season with 7 goals for his boyhood side helping them gain promotion to the Premier League.

In his first season as a Premier League footballer, Emile grabbed 10 league goals in 35 appearances. He also equalised against Middlesborough in the League Cup Final in the same season, Leicester went on to win the tournament following a replay.

The following season again saw Emile score 10 league goals, with many clubs gaining a interest in the strong target man.

He scored 46 goals in 197 games in all competitions during his time at Leicester City.

In March 2000, Liverpool paid £11,000,000 for the services of Emile. This was the scouse clubs transfer record at the time. Despite criticism for not scoring enough goals it is thought Gerard Houllier signed him due to Emile being held in high-regard by international teammate Michael Owen. He finished the season with 3 goals in 12 appearances for Liverpool.

In his first full season for Liverpool, Emile managed to score 22 goals in all competitions as Liverpool went on to lift the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. He also scored Liverpool’s second in the 3-2 Super Cup win at the start of the 01/02 season.

Emile’s criticism started once more at the end of the 02/03 season when he only managed 9 goals in 51 appearances. He still remained a firm favourite with then boss Gerard Houllier.

Heskey managed a total of 60 goals in 223 appearances during his time at Anfield.

In pre-season 2004 Birmingham made Emile there record signing with a deal that could have reached £6,250,000. His first goal for City came against Manchester City in 1-0 victory at the end of August. Heskey finished the season as Player’s Player of the Season and Fan’s Player of the Season in his first year at the second team in the second city. He also finished as top goalscorer with 11 goals and won the most Man of the Match Awards.

Due to Birmingham’s relegation to the Championship  in 2006, Blues would not be required to pay the final £1,500,000 of the transfer fee for Emile. 16 goals in 78 appearances in all competitions in the second city prompted interest from Wigan Athletic.

Following City’s relegation, Wigan signed Heskey for £5,500,00 in the summer of 2006. Emile scored 8 league goals in 36 appearances during his first season at the then JJB Stadium. Heskey’s 90th minute equaliser against Chelsea in April 2008 damaged the London’s club chance of winning the Premier League title. He scored 15 goals in all competitions in 88 appearances.

Emile’s manager at Leicester, Martin O’Neill, then signed him for Villa for £3,500,00 in January 2009. Despite a lot of criticism from many Villa fans he hit back with a great debut against Portsmouth and scored the winner in 1-0 victory at Fratton Park. He finished with 2 league goals in 14 appearances for Villa. The following season Emile contributed with 5 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions.

At the start of 10/11 season, Heskey enjoyed a good run of form as his former boss at Liverpool, Gerard Houllier, took over at Villa Park. He scored the winning goals in derbies against Wolves and West Brom. He finished the seaseon with 6 goals in 25 appearances, bringing his total to 13 goals in 81 appearances in Claret and Blue (as of July 2011).

Honours;
League Cup Winners 96/97, 99/00 (Leicester City)
League Cup Runners Up 98/99 (Leicester City)
First Division Play Off Winners 95/96 (Leicester City)
FA Cup Winner 00/01 (Liverpool)
League Cup Winner 00/01, 02/03 (Liverpool)
FA Charity Shield Winner 01/02 (Liverpool)
UEFA Cup Winner 00/01 (Liverpool)
UEFA Super Cup Winner 01/02 (Liverpool)
League Cup Runner Up 09/10 (Villa)

(*-as of 1st May 2011)