Che Wilson

Che Wilson

Personal information
Full name	Che Christian Aaron Clay Wilson
Date of birth	17 January 1979 (1979-01-17) (age 32)
Place of birth	Ely, England
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Richmond Athletic
Number	3
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996–2000	Norwich City	22	(0)
2000–2002	Bristol Rovers	75	(0)
2003	Cambridge City	0	(0)
2003–2008	Southend United	106	(8)
2007	→ Brentford (loan)	3	(0)
2007	→ Rotherham United (loan)	6	(0)
2011	Richmond Athletic	6	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:30, 20 May 2008 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Che Christian Aaron Clay Wilson (born 17 January 1979 in Ely) is a retired English professional footballer. He has recently been playing for New Zealand side Richmond Athletic. Che has since returned to England.

Career

After rising through the schoolboy and youth ranks at Norwich City, Che signed as a full professional at the age of 18. Having already made his first team debut in Bryan Gunn's testimonial match against Manchester United whilst still an apprentice (a game featuring Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes etc.), Che remained at the club for 3 years as a professional making 25 appearances in the first team under mangager Bruce Rioch.

Upon the departure of Norwich manager Bruce Rioch, Che then signed for Bristol Rovers who were then under the guidance of Ian Holloway. Whilst at rovers, his sister gained notoriety as the woman inside the suit of Bristol Rovers matchday mascot, Captain Gas.

After a successful two year spell at the Memorial Stadium, he then signed for Southend United where he remained for 5 seasons. During this spell in which Che made well over 100 appearances, the Essex club gained successive promotions, winning the league 2 play offs at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium before winning the league 1 championship the following year. He is not well known for his goal scoring but during the 2005/06 season, he put a goal past promotion rivals Brentford in a 4-1 win before hitting the net against local rivals Colchester United at Layer Road in a 3-0 victory. In January 2007, he signed a one month loan deal with Brentford (making 3 appearances) before signing for Rotherham United, again on loan, from March 2007 until the end of that season (making 6 appearances).

During the 2007/08 season, Che suffered from a serious achilles tendon injury which would require major surgery and numerous bouts of rehabilitation. After 2 years and 2 operations, he then experienced a major problem with the other achilles tendon which, after medical advice, forced him to retire from the profeesional game.

Since retiring from the professional game, Che is doing his coaching badges and has been head coach of Cambridge University Football Club for the past 2 seasons. A role in which he continues to fullfill. He has also coached at Ipswich Town academy. Alongside this, Che is currently studying a BSc (Hons) degree in Sport Science in his home city of Cambridge.

Due to some time off between studies, Che has recently been in New Zealand coaching football and had signed a short term contract for Richmond Athletic Football Club who play in the Nelson Pine Industries first division. Che has since returned to England.

Honours

Promotions

• 2004–05: League Two Playoff Winner (promotion to League One) - Southend United
• 2005–06: League One Champion (promotion to The Championship) - Southend United

References

External links

• Che Wilson career stats at Soccerbase
• Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk

Persondata
Name	Wilson, Che
Alternative names
Short description	English footballer
Date of birth	17 January 1979
Place of birth	Ely, England
Date of death
Place of death