Ah, Emile Heskey. You just can’t hate him and yet if you asked someone why, an answer would prove difficult. The Englishman used to smash in goals for fun in his prime, and then more recently found he couldn’t hit a barn door with a machine gun.
He plays mainly as a striker, with an ability to hold the ball up well. He has plied his trade in English football for the best part of 18 years, playing for Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and Aston Villa. In the summer of 2012, Heskey was released by Villa, for whom he had scored just 9 goals in 92 appearances.
Not a great record. Many thought that this would spell the end of a fantastic career. But Emile Heskey, 35, shocked the country, moving to Newcastle United… Jets in the Australian A-League as their ‘marquee-player’.
The A-League hardly has a reputation but, in the eyes of many, is a league on the rise. Since it’s formation in 2004, it has attracted several big-name players including Alessandro del Piero, Harry Kewell and Robbie Fowler amongst others. The 10 teams play each-other 3 times a season during ‘Regular Season’. The top 6 from the ‘Regular Season’ compete to win the Grand Final and Continental Qualification in a knockout format.
The Jets were founded in 2000 and won their first and only A-League title in the 2007-08 Grand Final against Central Coast Mariners. In 2009 they played in their first ever AFC Champions League (Asia’s answer to the UEFA Champions League) reaching the Round of 16. Current gaffer Gary Van Egmond took control in the 2011/12 season and set about a complete re-construction of the club.
On September 21st 2012, Emile Heskey joined the Jets. The former England international signed a 1 year contract but hopes to sign a longer contract with the club. This season the Newcastle number 9 has scored 9 goals in 23 games and is quickly becoming a fan favourite. His shirt sold out within minutes and Newcastle United Jets sold 2,000 more season tickets after his arrival.
The obsession became, somewhat weird on October 26th 2012 as Fox Sports launched ‘Heskey Cam’, giving fans the chance to watch Heskey, and just Heskey, playing against Melbourne Victory.
It’s great to see such a legend back at his best, but we want you back in Britain please!!
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