Joleon Lescott

Infobox Football biography
playername = Joleon Lescott


fullname = Joleon Patrick Lescott
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|8|16|df=y
cityofbirth = Birmingham
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=2
position = Defender
currentclub = Everton
clubnumber = 5
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1999–2006
2006–
clubs = Wolverhampton Wanderers
Everton
caps(goals) = 212 (13)
082 (10)
nationalyears =
2007–
nationalteam = England U21
England
nationalcaps(goals) = 002 0(0)
006 0(0)
pcupdate = 09:43, 28 September 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 18:26, 6 September 2008 (UTC)

Joleon Patrick Lescott (born 16 August 1982 in Birmingham, West Midlands) is an English footballer currently playing for English club Everton. He mainly plays in the centre-back position, though he has played in various other positions across the defensive line, in particular left-back. He is the younger brother of Bristol Rovers player Aaron Lescott.

Before football

Lescott was hit by a car when he was five years old. He suffered severe head injuries, the scars of which are still visible today.Cite web | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/joleon-lescott-the-accident-made-me-more-determined-to-make-the-most-of-what-i-have-but-my-brother-has-probably-been-the-greater-inspiration-425701.html |title = Joleon Lescott: 'The accident made me more determined to make the most of what I have, but my brother has probably been the greater inspiration...'| accessdate = 2008-09-18 | date = 2006-11-25|work=The Independent|author = James Daly]

Career

Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

Whilst playing youth football for the Grinham Giants in the Quinton Little League, Birmingham, Lescott was spotted by a Wolverhampton Wanderers scout and accepted the offer of joining the club's Centre of Excellence. Despite spending a short spell at Derby County and, at the age of 13, contemplating never going back to football following a year out from the game because he was finding the training and the professionalism too difficult, Lescott signed trainee forms with Wolves in August 1999.

His first-team debut came as a 17 year old in the 2000–01 season against Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux stadium on 13 August 2000. At the end of his first season, Lescott was named the Supporters' Young Player of the Year by the Wolves fans; an award he also won in the subsequent 2001–02 season.

Lescott started to become a regular fixture in the Wolves team. During the 2002–03 season he missed only one league match and played in each of the club's FA Cup fixtures. He was also a member of the team that defeated Sheffield United 3–0 at the Millennium Stadium to win promotion to the FA Premier League for the 2003–04 season. Lescott declared this to be the proudest moment of his career.Fact|date=February 2007

Despite Wolves gaining promotion, Lescott along with Matt Murray was unable to participate in the 2003–04 season due to knee surgery, preventing him from competing in the Premier League. Wolves were subsequently relegated and, upon completing his rehabilitation, Lescott returned to compete in the Championship.

In October 2005, Lescott agreed a two and a half year extension to his contract at Wolves. At the conclusion of the 2005–06 season he was named in the Championship team of the season, voted for by his fellow professionals, and also picked up the Wolves Player of the Year award.

Everton F.C.

Lescott was sold to Everton at the start of the 2006–07 season for an immediate payment of £2 million, followed by a further £2 million paid in installments and a final £1 million contingent on appearances. [cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/5036292.stm |title = Lescott completes Everton switch |accessdate = 2007-01-07 |date = 2006-06-14] The transfer was slightly delayed as Everton asked for extra medical checks to be taken on Lescott's knee following the reconstruction of the joint earlier in his career. Lescott was Everton's third summer signing after Tim Howard and Andrew Johnson. Everton sold Per Krøldrup in January 2006 and Matteo Ferrari returned to A.S. Roma at the conclusion of his loan making Lescott one of only four senior centre backs at the club.

Lescott made his Everton debut in August 2006 during a victory over Watford and his his first start of the season away to Tottenham Hotspur, as Alan Stubbs had injured his groin in the previous game against Blackburn. The game was Everton's first victory at White Hart Lane in two decades, and Lescott was named man of the match.Fact|date=March 2008 Lescott started again in the next match, the 204th Merseyside derby, which resulted in a 3-0 victory for Everton. Lescott's first Everton goal came in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on 2 April 2007. Lescott's successful first season in top flight football was recognised by his team mates who voted him Player's Player of the Season 2006/07. [cite web |url = http://www.evertonfc.com/news/players-player-of-the-season.html |title = Lescott named Player's Player of the Season 06/07 |accessdate = 2007-05-09] He also finished a very close second behind Mikel Arteta in the fans Player of the Season.Fact|date=March 2008his improved performances have shown spectacular blocks and defensive techniques and a good amount of goals (10 in the 2007/08 season) for a defender.The start of the 2007/08 season saw Lescott score three goals in the first eight games of the season.

Lescott has also just been given the status as the most deadly finisher in the Premier League. Stats for the 2007/08 season have indicated that Lescott has the highest shot to goal ratio in the Premier League, at 42.1% [http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/05/14/stats_entertainment_lescott_th.html Stats entertainment! Lescott the goal machine and other curios | Sport | guardian.co.uk ] ] . Interestingly, Lescott's Everton team mate, Yakubu was named the 2nd most deadly finisher with a ratio of 28.3% That deadly ability in front of goal, especially given Lescott's position as a defender, has led to him being given the moniker "goal machine".

On May 8th 2008, at the end of season awards, held at St Georges Hall in Liverpool, Lescott was voted Everton's Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year. [ [http://www.evertonfc.com/news/28142/player-of-the-season.html Player of the Season – 07/08 End Of Season Awards – Features – News – evertonfc.com - The Official Website of Everton Football Club ] ] Prior to the final home game of the season against Newcastle, on May 11th 2008, Lescott was also awarded the Player of the year award by the Everton Disabled Supporters Association, a tradition in place since 1995. The EDSA labelled Lescott "Mr Consistency" for his performances over the 2007/08 season. He is also only the 2nd Everton player to have ever been awarded the honour twice. [ [http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/lescott-scoops-another-award.html LESCOTT SCOOPS ANOTHER AWARD – News Archive – News – evertonfc.com - The Official Website of Everton Football Club ] ]

Given Lescott's scarring on his forehead, the result of a childhood accident, police are investigating allegations that Liverpool supporters allegedly chanted 'The Elephant Man, the Elephant Man, Joleon Lescott, the Elephant Man" following Liverpool's 1-0 win on March 30, 2008. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7324005.stm BBC NEWS | UK | England | Merseyside | Police probe player abuse claims ] ]

Following a season (2007/08) being utilised predominantly at left back, Lescott hopes to play at his more natural centre back position going forward. [ [http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/lescott-s-bright-blue-future.html LESCOTT'S BRIGHT BLUE FUTURE – News Archive – News – evertonfc.com - The Official Website of Everton Football Club ] ]

England

Lescott has represented England at Under-18, Under-20, Under-21 and England B levels. After a fine first season for Everton, Lescott made his England B debut against Albania at Burnley's Turf Moor on 25 May 2007, he replaced Reading's Nicky Shorey in the 73rd minute. [cite news | date=2007-05-26 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6670865.stm | title=England B 3-1 Albania | publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=2007-05-30]

On 3 September 2007, Lescott was handed a long awaited callup to Steve McClaren's England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Russia. [cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/09/LescottCallUp.htm|title=Lescott called up|work=TheFA.com]

Lescott was given his international senior debut against Estonia on 13 October 2007 — replacing Rio Ferdinand at half-time — with England winning 3-0. His second cap — and first start — was the Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia, which England lost 2-1. On the 16th of November Joleon made his second international start against Austria in a friendly, England won the game 1-0 and Joleon made a composed performance at the heart of defence.

Lescott made his first England appearance under new manager Fabio Capello on 26 March 2008 in a friendly match against France, coming on as a substitute at half time for former skipper John Terry.

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7324005.stm]

External links

*soccerbase|id=19164|name=Joleon Lescott
* [http://www.evertonfc.com/match/squad.html?player_id=104 Profile on Official Everton Website]