Neil Clement

Neil Clement (born October 3 1978 in Reading, Berkshire) is an England professional football (soccer)er who plays for West Bromwich Albion F.C.. His customary position is in defence, but he is also a versatile player who has occupied several different positions for Albion. As of June 2008, Clement had made 300 appearances for Albion in all competitions, more than any other Albion player in the 21st century. He is also known as a set piece specialist, having scored several goals from free-kicks and penalties.

Football career

Early career

The son of Dave Clement, the former Queens Park Rangers F.C. and England national football team full-back of the 1970s, Neil Clement was born in Reading, Berkshire but later went to school in the West Midlands (county). As a teenager, Clement obtained a place at The Football Association's School of Excellence at Lilleshall Hall. He had played as a centre-forward up until the age of 14, and only switched to left-back in order to improve his chances of getting into Lilleshall. He started his career at Chelsea F.C., making his professional début in a 3–1 Premier League win over West Ham United F.C. on 21 December 1996. This was to be his only league appearance and only start for Chelsea. He failed to make a single appearance during 1997–98, and the following season his contribution to Chelsea was restricted to just two substitute appearances in the Football League Cup. To gain first team experience, Clement was loaned out to Reading F.C. in November 1998, making his début in a 1–0 win at Northampton Town F.C. on 21 November 1998. A week later, on 28 November, he scored his first goal in professional football as Reading beat Lincoln City F.C. 2–1. He remained with Reading until February 1999, but the following month started another loan spell, this time at Preston North End F.C.. He was sent off on his North End début in a 1–0 defeat to Colchester United F.C. on 2 April 1999.

In 1999–2000, Clement continued to struggle in his attempt to break into the Chelsea first team. In November 1999 he was loaned out to Brentford F.C., making his début in a 4–1 defeat to A.F.C. Bournemouth on 23 November. He returned to Chelsea in January 2000, making one further substitute appearance as the Blues beat Gillingham 5–0 in an FA Cup quarter-final in February.

West Bromwich Albion

On transfer deadline day in March 2000, Clement joined West Bromwich Albion F.C. on loan for the rest of the season, making his Albion début in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester City F.C. at Maine Road on 25 March. His performances in Albion's successful attempt to avoid relegation from Football League First Division earned him a permanent transfer in July, in a move costing £150,000.

Clement scored his first goal for his new club in a 2–1 first leg win in the League Cup away at Derby County F.C. on 19 September 2000. He also scored in the second leg a week later, but Albion lost the tie 5–4 on aggregate. His first league goal for the Baggies came in a 3–2 The Hawthorns defeat to Norwich City on 14 October 2000. In all, Clement appeared 52 times for Albion in 2000–01, missing just one game in all competitions and winning the club's Player of the Season award. Albion reached the promotion play-offs, losing in the semi-fianl to Bolton Wanderers F.C.. Clement was again a key player for Albion during 2001-02 in English football. As well as converting penalties in Albion's FA Cup victories against Premiership sides Sunderland A.F.C. and Leicester City F.C., he missed only one league game as Albion won promotion to the top flight. His efforts were recognised when he was named in the PFA Division One team of the year.

Clement featured heavily once more in 2002-03 in English football, missing only two games all season, and although Albion were relegated, he played his part in a second promotion in 2003-04 in English football. He scored in successive games at the start of the 2004-05 in English football Premiership season, netting against both Blackburn Rovers F.C. and Aston Villa F.C.. In January 2005 Clement signed a new five-and-a-half year contract, which would keep him at The Hawthorns until 2010. His team-mate Darren Moore credited him with playing a key role in Albion's revival during that season, as the team successfully avoided relegation, and Clement also won the West Bromwich Albion Disabled Supporters Club Player of the Year award. Clement's goal in a 4–0 win against Everton F.C. on 19 November 2005 gave him the distinction of being the only Albion player to score in each of the club's first three Premiership seasons, although Albion's 2005-06 in English football campaign ended in relegation. In 2006-07 in English football he played in less than half of West Brom's fixtures and was sent off twice. He came on as an 81st minute substitute in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium, as Albion lost 1–0 to Derby County F.C..

At the end of February 2008, Clement joined Hull City A.F.C. on loan, and made his debut for the Tigers in a 2–1 defeat away at Bristol City F.C.. The loan was scheduled to last for the remainder of the season, but Albion exercised an option to recall him to the Hawthorns after 28 days in order to help their push for promotion. Clement returned to the Albion first team, playing in the final nine games of the season and making his 300th appearance for the club against Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season. Albion won the match 2–0 and were promoted as champions; Clement thus became the first player to win three promotions with Albion.

Personal life

Clement is married to Rebecca. The couple have two daughters, Olivia and Ruby.