Lucas Neill

Lucas Edward Neill (born March 9, 1978 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian football (soccer) player who is the captain of West Ham United F.C., and most often plays at full-back or centre-back. He is a regular member of the Australia national football team and was a member of the Australian squad which competed in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Background

Lucas's father Eddie is originally from Northern Ireland and played for Belfast sides Linfield Swifts, Cliftonville F.C. and Brantwood F.C.. He left Northern Ireland for Australia in 1969. Neill grew up in the Northern Beaches of Sydney and was a student at Wakehurst Primary School, in Belrose, and St. Augustine's College, Brookvale, in Brookvale, before attending the Australian Institute of Sport - Football (soccer) on a football scholarship in 1994-95.

Club career

Millwall

Neill joined Millwall on a free transfer in November 1995, making his debut against Luton Town F.C. in 1996. In almost six years at The Den (stadium), he made 174 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals. In September 2001, Neill, by then the longest serving player at the club, submitted a transfer request

Blackburn Rovers

Neill played his first game for Blackburn in September 2001 against Sunderland A.F.C. and scored his first Blackburn goal later that month against Bolton Wanderers F.C.. Neill is a combative, versatile player. He has played in all defensive positions during his professional career and is a key member for both his club and national team.

Neill was well-regarded by Blackburn Rovers F.C. supporters largely due to his never-say-die, determined attitude. He was one of Blackburn Rovers' most consistent performers and held the right back position for over five years without any competition.

Neill's combative and committed style of play in the FA Premier League attracted criticism in 2003/4 at a time when Blackburn had been criticised routinely for their aggressive play. He broke the leg of Liverpool F.C. defender Jamie Carragher when his trailing leg caught that of the Liverpool player in the fifth game of the 2003-04 in English football season in a tackle at Ewood Park. Carragher, a popular home-grown Liverpool player, was sidelined for six months and the incident sparked a war of words between Gérard Houllier and Graeme Souness after Neill and his manager did not apologise for 48 hours.

Johan Neeskens, who became assistant to FC Barcelona manager Frank Rijkard for the La Liga - 2006/2007, said that Neill "could play for any of the best clubs". On August 4, 2006 he announced he would not sign a new four-year contract for Blackburn Rovers. The player's agent, Peter Harrison, said "He has enjoyed his time there [Blackburn], he loves the club and the fans, he just feels it is time for a change."
On August 30, Liverpool F.C. reportedly made a pound sterling2 million bid for Neill; however, this bid was rejected by Blackburn. The club wanted Stephen Warnock in part exchange for Neill; however Liverpool were not prepared to let the left-back go . In late November, rumours emerged that Chelsea F.C. or even Barcelona F.C. were also interested in his signature.

West Ham United

However in January 2007 Neill turned his back on a confirmed bid from Liverpool in favour of West Ham United F.C.. The deal was confirmed on January 20 and was formally completed on January 22 following the successful transfer of Stephen Warnock from Liverpool to Blackburn. Neill was accused of his primary motivating factor being money, but he later refuted these claims, stating the move was for purely footballing reasons . Neill later alleged to the media that Liverpool hadn't made him feel truly wanted, and that he had not even spoken to manager Rafael Benitez. However, media reports suggested that Neill had signed for West Ham on a basic salary of £60,000 (dollar140,000) per week, double what Liverpool were prepared to offer, and that Neill might have spoken to Benitez . It is because of this that Neill has generated a somewhat infamosity earning nicknames such as Lucash.

On February 10, 2007 Neill played his first Premiership match for Hammers against Watford F.C., where he picked up a minor injury.

On March 4th, 2007 he captained the team for the first time during a 3-4 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur and went on to play every remaining game of the season. His passionate, attacking style of play quickly won over those sceptical about his motives at the club, though he continued to be criticised outside of the club. Eventually he played a key part in West Ham's escape from relegation that had looked nigh on certain when he arrived.

It was announced by West Ham United on July 27 2007 that Neill had been awarded the permanent position of team captain following Nigel Reo-Coker transfer to Aston Villa. Neill made his first appearance as team captain in the 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic on 25 August, 2007.

International career

In October 1996, Neill became the second youngest player, after Harry Kewell, to debut for the Australian national team when he played in a friendly game against Saudi Arabia national football team in Riyadh, aged 18 years and 7 months. He also competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney with the Australian men's team, the Olyroos.

On November 16, 2005 at Sydney's Telstra Stadium, Neill helped Australia qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup playing the entire game and scoring the Socceroos' second penalty in a shoot-out against Uruguay, after aggregate scores were tied at 1-1 following extra-time. He was named Man of the Match for this game.

Neill was an integral member of the Australian squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, wearing the 2 jersey. He started all four games in the position of centre-back. During Australia's Round of 16 game against Italy national football team, Neill had a controversial injury-time penalty awarded against him, allowing Francesco Totti to score and give the Italians a 1-0 victory, knocking Australia out of the cup.

Following the World Cup, Neill expressed his desire to captain his national side and on October 6, 2006 was named as the 50th player to captain Australia. On October 7, 2006 he made his debut as the Socceroo's captain in a 1-1 friendly against Paraguay national football team, in Brisbane. Four days later, in Sydney, he captained Australia again in an 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification against Bahrain national football team, which Australia won 2-0.
On 13th July, 2007, in the dying seconds of the Socceroo's 3-1 loss to Iraq national football team, Neill verbally abused the referee. He received his second yellow card and was sent off, capping a disappointing performance by the Australian side. In the Quarter Finals of the Asian Cup, Neill missed a crucial penalty in a shootout against Japan which resulted in Australia's elimination from the Cup