Joleon Lescott facts for kids

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Joleon Lescott
Personal information
Lescott playing for West Bromwich Albion in 2014
Full name	Joleon Patrick Lescott
Date of birth	(1982-08-16) 16 August 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth	Birmingham, England
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Youth career
0000–2000	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2006	Wolverhampton Wanderers	212	(13)
2006–2009	Everton	113	(14)
2009–2014	Manchester City	107	(7)
2014–2015	West Bromwich Albion	36	(1)
2015–2016	Aston Villa	30	(1)
2016	AEK Athens	4	(0)
2017	Sunderland	2	(0)
Total		504	(36)
International career
2000	England U17	1	(0)
2001	England U18	2	(0)
2002	England U20	5	(0)
2002–2003	England U21	2	(0)
2007	England B	1	(0)
2007–2013	England	26	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Joleon Patrick Lescott (born 16 August 1982) is an English former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defensive player in football. After retiring from playing, he became a coach and sports expert. He currently works as a coach for the England senior team.

Lescott started his football journey in the youth academy of Wolverhampton Wanderers. He made his first-team debut with Wolves in 2000. He was a key player when the club won promotion to the Premier League in 2003. Later, he moved to Everton in 2006.

In 2009, Lescott joined Manchester City. During his five seasons there, he helped the team win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. He also played for West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.

Joleon Lescott also represented England at different youth levels. He made his senior debut for England in 2007. He played for his country in UEFA Euro 2012, where he scored England's first goal of the tournament.

Early Life and Childhood
Club Football Career
International Career
Coaching Career
Personal Life
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Childhood

Joleon Lescott was born in Birmingham, England. He grew up in the Quinton area of the city. When he was five years old, a car accident caused him to suffer head injuries. This left some scarring on his forehead.

Club Football Career

Playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers

Lescott made his first team debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers when he was just 17 years old. This happened on 13 August 2000. After his first season, Wolves fans voted him the Supporters' Young Player of the Year. He won this award again the next season.

He became a regular player for Wolves. In the 2002–03 season, he played in almost every league match. He was part of the team that won the 2003 Football League First Division play-off final against Sheffield United. This win helped Wolves get promoted to the Premier League.

However, Lescott missed the entire 2003–04 season because of knee surgery. This meant he couldn't play in the Premier League that year. Wolves were then relegated. After recovering, Lescott returned to play in the Championship. In 2005, he signed a new contract with Wolves. At the end of the 2005–06 season, he was named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year.

Playing for Everton

Lescott playing for Everton in 2008

Lescott joined Everton in August 2006. The transfer was delayed a little because Everton wanted extra medical checks on his knee. He made his Everton debut in August 2006 in a win against Watford. His first start was against Tottenham Hotspur, where he was named man of the match. This was Everton's first win at White Hart Lane in 20 years.

Lescott scored his first goal for Everton in April 2007 against Aston Villa. His teammates voted him the Players' Player of the Season for 2006–07. He also came second in the Fans' Player of the Season award.

In the 2007–08 season, Lescott scored three goals in the first eight matches. He ended the season with 10 goals in all competitions. At the end of that season, he was voted Everton's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season again. He was also given the Player of the Year award by the Everton Disabled Supporters Association.

Sometimes, Lescott played as a left-back instead of his usual centre-back position. This happened when other defenders were playing well in the middle. In January 2009, he scored Everton's only goal in an FA Cup match against Liverpool. He also played for Everton in the 2009 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, where they lost to Chelsea.

After the 2008–09 season, Manchester City tried to sign Lescott. Everton rejected their offers. Lescott then asked to leave the club, but Everton refused his request.

Playing for Manchester City

Lescott lining up for Manchester City in 2010

Joleon Lescott finally moved to Manchester City on 25 August 2009. He signed a five-year contract with the club. He made his debut for City on 27 August in a League Cup win against Crystal Palace. He scored his first City goal in October 2009 against Fulham.

His first year and a half at City were challenging due to injuries. However, when Roberto Mancini became manager in December 2009, Lescott started to play more often. He formed a strong defensive partnership with Vincent Kompany.

In February 2011, Lescott became a regular starter again. He played a key role as Manchester City reached their first major final since 1981. On 17 April 2011, he played the full match in a 1–0 FA Cup semi-final victory against Manchester United. Lescott was part of the Manchester City team that won the FA Cup in 2011, beating Stoke City 1–0 in the final. This ended a 35-year wait for a major trophy for the club. City also finished third in the league, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

In August 2011, Lescott scored in the 2011 FA Community Shield against Manchester United. He became a very important part of City's defense. He helped the team achieve big wins, including 5–1 against Tottenham and 6–1 against Manchester United. Lescott made his Champions League debut that season. On 22 January 2012, he scored a goal in a 3–2 win against Tottenham.

In 2014, Lescott helped Manchester City win the League Cup and the 2013–14 Premier League. He was released by City on 24 May 2014.

Playing for West Bromwich Albion

Lescott (right) playing for West Bromwich Albion in 2014

Lescott joined West Bromwich Albion on 20 June 2014. He signed a two-year contract. He had previously worked with the club's manager, Alan Irvine, at Everton. Lescott scored his first goal for West Brom in a 3–2 defeat against Queens Park Rangers. Fans praised his performances, especially after the team kept six clean sheets (no goals conceded) in ten matches under new manager Tony Pulis.

Playing for Aston Villa

On 1 September 2015, Lescott signed for Aston Villa, another Premier League club. Lescott had been a Villa fan since he was young.

He made his debut twelve days later in a 3–2 loss to Leicester City. On 5 December, he scored his first goal for Villa in a 1–1 draw against Southampton. Lescott scored again on 12 January 2016, helping Villa win 1–0 against Crystal Palace. This was only the team's second win of the season. He scored another goal on 6 February 2016 in a 2–0 victory over Norwich City.

After Villa lost 0–6 to Liverpool, Lescott caused some controversy. He posted a picture of a luxury car on social media. He later said it was an accident and apologized for the team's performance. As the season ended with Villa being relegated, some fans and the press criticized Lescott's performances and attitude. In April 2016, after Villa's relegation was confirmed, Lescott said it was "a weight off the shoulders." He added that they could now "give these fans what they deserve – some performances."

Playing for AEK Athens

On 29 August 2016, Lescott joined Superleague Greece club AEK Athens. He signed a two-year contract. However, he suffered a knee injury while cycling. This injury meant he would miss the rest of the season. Lescott wanted to complete his recovery in the UK, but AEK Athens did not agree. As a result, his contract was ended by mutual agreement on 14 November 2016.

Playing for Sunderland

On 24 January 2017, Sunderland signed Lescott on a short-term contract until the end of the season. He left the club on 9 June 2017.

Racing Murcia

On 27 November 2020, a Spanish football club called Racing Murcia announced they had signed Lescott. They said he would play in their Copa del Rey match. However, Lescott later clarified that he had not officially signed and was still only in early talks with the club.

International Career

Lescott with England at UEFA Euro 2012

Joleon Lescott played for England at various youth levels, including under-18, under-20, and under-21 teams. He also played for the England B team. He made his England B debut in May 2007 against Albania.

On 3 September 2007, Lescott was called up to the senior England squad. He made his senior international debut against Estonia on 13 October 2007, coming on as a substitute. England won that match 3–0. His first start for England was against Russia, which England lost 2–1.

Lescott played for England under manager Fabio Capello in a friendly match against France in March 2008. He was a regular player for England during the qualification matches for UEFA Euro 2012. He was then named in the 23-man squad for the tournament. On 11 June 2012, he scored his first international goal for England. It was a header against France in England's first match of UEFA Euro 2012, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

Coaching Career

On 31 August 2021, Lescott joined Lee Carsley's coaching team for the England U21s. On 23 August 2024, Lescott was named as part of Carsley's temporary coaching team for the England senior team. This happened after Gareth Southgate left his role as manager.

Personal Life

Joleon Lescott was born in England, and his family background is from Saint Kitts. In April 2012, Lescott, his brother Aaron Lescott, and former defender Jordan Stewart launched their own fashion line called "The Lescott Stewart Collection."

Honours and Awards

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Football League First Division play-offs: 2003 (won promotion)

Everton

FA Cup runner-up: 2008–09

Manchester City

Premier League: 2011–12, 2013–14 (won two titles)
FA Cup: 2010–11 (winner); 2012–13 (runner-up)
Football League Cup: 2013–14 (winner)

Individual Awards

Everton Player of the Season: 2007–08
Everton Players' Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08
PFA Team of the Year: 2001–02 (First Division), 2002–03 (First Division), 2005–06 (Championship)
Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2002–03, 2004–05