WOLVES-STATS.CO.UK
Q&A with: Neil Emblen
Neil Emblen joined Wolves in 1994 from Millwall for an initial fee of £600,000, rising to £1m based on appearances. He spent three years at Molineux before he moved back to London and joined Crystal Palace for around £2m, however just eight months later, he returned to Wolves, with the Eagles' financial troubles preventing them from paying installments on the fee. He had struggled to break into Palace's team, though did score a brace for them in the FA Cup Third Round.
Neil started his career as a youth team player at non league Tonbridge Angels before moving to Sittingbourne. His break into the Football League came in 1993 when he joined Millwall. He spent one season with the Lions before a big money move to the Midlands, after just 12 league appearances. Graham Taylor had seen enough to take a punt on the young centre half. Neil made his debut at Molineux against Reading, a game that Wolves won 1-0 but saw Neil struggle. He was quickly taken out of the firing line by Taylor and returned to play as a central midfielder versus West Brom. Neil put the nightmare of his debut behind and produced an all action performance as Wolves destroyed their local rivals.
In 1997 Neil was back on the move to Crystal Palace and a chance to play top flight football. However just eight months later he was back in the Midlands and back in the Old Gold. Neil spent another three years with Wolves before he joined Norwich City for around £500k. His time at Norwich was an injury filled nightmare. Neil managed just 14 league appearances and was sent out on loan to Walsall, where he was reunited with ex Wolves boss Colin Lee. After a succesful loan spell he joined Walsall full time and enjoyed two successful seasons, his injury nightmare well and truly behind him.
In 2005 another big move beckoned as he moved to the other side of the world to play in the Australian A-League for New Zealand Knights. Just two years later, the Knights folded and Neil joined amateur side Waitakere United. In 2009, he was made Head Coach.
Neil's time at Wolves was characterised by his unending effort and desire, and his ability to perform in almost every outfield position; left back was the only outfield slot that he did not fill during his time at the club. His most memorable goal for the club was perhaps the last minute equaliser at home to Sheffield United on New Year's Day 1995, as Wolves managed to draw a game that they were trailing 2-0 going into injury time.
Neil was kind enough to grant Wolves-Stats an interview, answering questions posted on www.wolvesforum.co.uk
So here is what Neil had to say...........
Neil started his career as a youth team player at non league Tonbridge Angels before moving to Sittingbourne. His break into the Football League came in 1993 when he joined Millwall. He spent one season with the Lions before a big money move to the Midlands, after just 12 league appearances. Graham Taylor had seen enough to take a punt on the young centre half. Neil made his debut at Molineux against Reading, a game that Wolves won 1-0 but saw Neil struggle. He was quickly taken out of the firing line by Taylor and returned to play as a central midfielder versus West Brom. Neil put the nightmare of his debut behind and produced an all action performance as Wolves destroyed their local rivals.
In 1997 Neil was back on the move to Crystal Palace and a chance to play top flight football. However just eight months later he was back in the Midlands and back in the Old Gold. Neil spent another three years with Wolves before he joined Norwich City for around £500k. His time at Norwich was an injury filled nightmare. Neil managed just 14 league appearances and was sent out on loan to Walsall, where he was reunited with ex Wolves boss Colin Lee. After a succesful loan spell he joined Walsall full time and enjoyed two successful seasons, his injury nightmare well and truly behind him.
In 2005 another big move beckoned as he moved to the other side of the world to play in the Australian A-League for New Zealand Knights. Just two years later, the Knights folded and Neil joined amateur side Waitakere United. In 2009, he was made Head Coach.
Neil's time at Wolves was characterised by his unending effort and desire, and his ability to perform in almost every outfield position; left back was the only outfield slot that he did not fill during his time at the club. His most memorable goal for the club was perhaps the last minute equaliser at home to Sheffield United on New Year's Day 1995, as Wolves managed to draw a game that they were trailing 2-0 going into injury time.
Neil was kind enough to grant Wolves-Stats an interview, answering questions posted on www.wolvesforum.co.uk
So here is what Neil had to say...........
First off, thanks for taking the time to grant Wolves-Stats this interview. To start, how did it feel when you make a big money move, does having a fee behind your name play on your mind?
I believe the original price was 600k but the rest was dependant on appearances etc. It was great to be wanted by Graham Taylor and Wolves as I had only been a pro for 8 months prior to that.
Your Wolves debut, best to say it wasn't the best. How did you feel before, during and after the game?
I had an absolute shocker. I wanted the ground to swallow me up!!! Thankfully we won 1-0 but I was rightly dropped for the next game. My next start was against the baggies in midfield and I remember loving every second of that 2-0 win , from then on I settled very quickly.
When at Wolves, you played in defence, midfield and up front. Where did you prefer playing?
I just loved playing. Being 6ft plus you can play most positions if you can use 2 feet but i must say I enjoyed midfield in my 1st spell the most.
Did you ever get the chance to complete the set and play in goal?
I managed to get the full set when i was at Walsall when James "Wacca" Walker got sent off with 5 minutes to go. Im proud to say that as a professional i played in all 11 positions.
What would you say was the best performance you had in the Wolves shirt?
I would say that was probably that game against West Brom that got my Wolves career going. I felt I had energy to burn that day and we played superb as a team.
What was your most memorable moment at Molineux?
There were so many great experiences but picking up my runners up player of the year trophy on the pitch after the Fulham game in the 99/00 season was a special personal moment.
What differences did you find between the managers you played under at Wolves?
I enjoyed playing under them all and they were all very differnt as people and coaches. Graham Taylor I felt probably got the best out of me, Mark McGhee and Colin Lee were always superb to work for and I respect them very highly. Dave Jones from minute one, wanted his own players and I knew he wanted to sell me on asap but that happens and I have no hard feelings.
Your view on the Wolves fans, they get a lot of bad press mainly for being very demanding. Do you agree with that?
All fans are demanding and rightly so, they pay hard earned money to watch players give 100% and perform with quality and heart. If players dont show that they let them know but that is what drove me on , the fear of the wrath of the fans. Wolves fans are superb!!!!
What were the circumstances behind your move to Palace. Was this a move for a change, new challenge or faced with the fact you were not required anymore?
It was a ridiculous sum of money the club was offered and Mark McGhee came to me and said that he didnt want me to leave but financially the club had to accept the offer. I was gutted to be leaving but it was a crack at the Premiership and a London based club near where i was born so their were a lot of positives for me too.
How was Palace compared to Wolves?
I knew from minute 1 that it was going to be a lot different from my enjoyable Wolves years. Players were coming in from all over the place and the new chairman at Palace had his ideas on who should be playing and the manager had his. I was wanted and bought by the guy who unfortunately didnt pick the team and the coach didnt see me in his starting XI very often. I made 13 appearances for them mostly off the bench.
They say never go back. Did you have any doubts about returning to the Midlands?
It was an 8 month loan deal as far as I was concerned, my heart had never left Wolves and I had stayed in regular contact with the Wolves coaching staff. Palace still owed Wolves a sum of money so the clubs just agreed on deadline day to forget the debt and they would take me back.I would have liked to have done better in my appearances for Palace but it was a troubled place at that time.
Out of your 2 spells, which did you enjoy the most?
I think the 1st. In my first full season under Graham Taylor I managed 7 or 8 goals in 25 games so that was a very good return. I enjoyed playing almost every minute of the 99/00 season and felt that was my best season of consistent perfomances for the club.
You had a decent record of avoiding injuries at Wolves, yet at Norwch you seemed to pick them up a fair bit. Was this just bad luck?
My first spell at Wolves was hampered by injury but nothing like the nightmare time I had at Norwich. Dave Jones accepted an offer from Nigel Worthington and Norwich and I went down to meet them as I knew I wasnt wanted anymore. They were brilliant to me made me captain but then I got injured in my 1st league game and missed almost 14 months of football. That season they got to the playoff finals and after 2 operations on my hamstring Nigel said that I was struggling to get back in his plans etc so I was loaned out to Colin Lee at Walsall.
How did the move to New Zealand happen?
I had 2 years getting my career back on track after my injuries at Walsall which is where I met New Zealand international Danny Hay. He always talked highly of his homeland and a new Team from New Zealand were forming to play in the A-league (Australia) and the talk turned into an offer to take the family on a 2 year contract. Although the team was a failure I loved every minute of my 2 years in the A-league.
Wolves are well known by people who are in their 40's and 50's but now we are in the Premiership again they are much more talked about
Do you still keep in touch with anyone at Wolves?
I email the club to wish them all the best and I have exchanged emails with CEO Jez Moxey on a few occasions. As for players Matt Murray is the only existing player from my time and I have kept in touch from time to time with him. Get fit soon Matty!!!!
How have you found the quality of football during your spell in New Zealand?
Football (they call it soccer) is very much the poor relation in this country. Rugby and the All blacks are on 10 of the 12 pages of sport. Soccer has a page at best but the All Whites, led superbly by Ryan Nelson, are trying to change that. They qualified for the World Cup this weekend (the first time for 28 years) So I am hoping that will inject more focus and enthusiasm for the game over here.
(Wolves-Stats note - New Zealand are managed by ex Wolves player Ricki Herbert)
(Wolves-Stats note - New Zealand are managed by ex Wolves player Ricki Herbert)
Not a lot of people will know about Waitakere United. Anything you can tell us the club?
We are an amatuer club similar to non league in the UK. We play in the NZFC which is the national league in New Zealand but being the other side of the World we also play in the Oceania Football Federation O-league (our champions league if you do well in domestic competition) and we play against teams from the Pacific Islands including Fiji,Tahiti, New Caledonia etc.... I have been lucky enough to play at the FIFA Club World cup for the past 2 years which has been fantastic for a part time bunch of players. The standard is obviously not as good as in the UK and it has allowed me to play for longer which has been great for me.
Wolves-Stats would like thank Neil Emblen for taking the time to answer the questions put to him by the fans and wish him all the best as he moves into football management
The questions were set by the users of www.wolvesforum.co.uk , click on the image below and become a member, giving you the chance to ask questions to current and ex players and be part of new online Wolves community.
The questions were set by the users of www.wolvesforum.co.uk , click on the image below and become a member, giving you the chance to ask questions to current and ex players and be part of new online Wolves community.
You were made head coach in June 2009 of Waitakere, how are you finding this role?
I am really enjoying it. Im still putting my boots on too so im Player/Head coach. This role is a difficult one but I believe I have the respect of my players and im learning a great deal about management which is fantastic.
Did you always want to move into management at the end of your career?
I think it is a natural progression for me , I love the game still and the chance of taking a team to a competition and take on the pros at the FIFA Club World cup is a great challenge.
Any plans to return "home" and manage/coach over here?
My wife still misses family so never say never. I did throw out an email as i said earlier to Jez Moxey regarding a scouting job but it was a longshot!!! Im very happy in New Zealand and we are now permanent residents which is great
How about the Wolves job, would that tempt you?
Fantastic idea, yes please!!!!! Mick is doing a great job as far as im concerned though. He is a top bloke and im really thankfull he gave me my 1st shot at Pro football ,when he signed me for Millwall. Hopefully we can survive this season and Mick can lead the club for may years to come.
Can Wolves fans keep up with via any of the social network sites, Facebook fan page or Twitter?
I have a facebook page and i will look into this twitter craze!!!
Do you keep up with the current Wolves team and if so what are your views on them?
As I said Matt is the only survivor. I think there is enough fire power in the squad to score us enough goals to keep us in the Premiership and games against the teams around us are the key. Hull, Bolton, Blackburn, Birmingham & Portsmouth etc are our cup finals and if we win more of them games than we lose we will be ok.
To finish off, any message for the fans that used to cheer you on?
Yes, I am loving the fact the club is back where it belongs, you guys deserve it and enjoy the bragging rights you have over your cross town rivals!!!! I hope to put on a Old Gold shirt again one day for the masters football team. I just need an invite please!!!!!!! I would be great to just hear one more chant!!!!
Keep up with Neil at Waitakere United, click on the image above to visit their official web page.