Lucas Neill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lucas Neill

Neill with Australia in 2007
Personal information
Date of birth	(1978-03-09) 9 March 1978 (age 47)
Place of birth	Sydney, Australia
Height	1.85 m
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1991–1993	Manly United
1994–1995	AIS
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1995–2001	Millwall	152	(13)
2001–2007	Blackburn Rovers	188	(5)
2007–2009	West Ham United	79	(1)
2009–2010	Everton	12	(0)
2010–2011	Galatasaray	39	(1)
2011–2012	Al Jazira	19	(3)
2012–2013	Al Wasl	4	(0)
2013	Sydney FC	3	(0)
2013	Omiya Ardija	9	(0)
2014	Watford	1	(0)
2014	→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)	4	(0)
Total		510	(23)
National team
1996–1997	Australia U20	8	(3)
1999–2000	Australia U23	13	(0)
1996–2013	Australia	96	(1)
Honours Men's football Representing  Australia AFC Asian Cup Runner-up 2011 Qatar OFC U-19 Championship Winner Tahiti 1997 OFC Nations Cup Winner 2004 Australia
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Lucas Edward Neill (born 9 March 1978) is an Australian former soccer player. He was a defender, often playing as a centre back or a full-back. Lucas spent nearly 15 years playing professional soccer in England.

He played for the Australian national team, known as the Socceroos. Lucas represented Australia in major tournaments like the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 2007 AFC Asian Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup, and 2011 AFC Asian Cup. In 2006, he became the 50th captain of the Australian national team. He holds the record for captaining Australia the most times, with 61 matches.

Early Life and Football Start

Lucas Neill grew up in Manly, Sydney. His father, who was also a football player, moved to Australia from Northern Ireland. Lucas went to Wakehurst Public School and St Augustine's College.

In 1994, he received a special scholarship. This allowed him to attend the Australian Institute of Sport. He trained there for two years, improving his football skills.

Club Career Highlights

Lucas Neill played for many different clubs during his career. He spent most of his time playing in England.

Playing for Millwall

Lucas joined Millwall in November 1995. He played his first game in February 1996. During his almost six years at the club, he played 174 games. He also scored 13 goals for Millwall. In 2001, he moved to Blackburn Rovers.

Time at Blackburn Rovers

Lucas started playing for Blackburn in September 2001. He quickly became a key player as a right back. Blackburn Rovers won the 2001–02 Football League Cup in 2002. However, Lucas could not play in the final because he had already played for Millwall in the same competition that season.

In 2003, during a game, Lucas was involved in a tackle. This tackle unfortunately led to an injury for Liverpool player Jamie Carragher. Jamie was out of action for several months. Lucas's departure from Blackburn in 2006 was not smooth. Some fans were unhappy when he decided not to sign a new contract.

Moving to West Ham United

Neill playing for West Ham.

In January 2007, Lucas joined West Ham United. He chose West Ham over a possible move to Liverpool. He made his first league appearance for West Ham in February 2007. Lucas quickly became the team captain. He played every game for the rest of that season. He scored his only goal for West Ham in September 2008. At the end of the 2008–09 season, he left West Ham.

Joining Everton

Neill and national teammate Tim Cahill playing for Everton in 2009

On 17 September 2009, Lucas joined his friend Tim Cahill at Everton. He signed a one-year contract with the club. He made his debut for Everton in the League Cup in September 2009. Lucas played his first Premier League game for Everton in October 2009. He helped set up two goals in that match.

Playing in Turkey with Galatasaray

In January 2010, Lucas moved to Turkish club Galatasaray. He signed a contract for one and a half years. At Galatasaray, he played alongside his Australian teammate Harry Kewell. Lucas made his Turkish Super Lig debut in January 2010. He left Galatasaray at the end of the 2010–11 season.

Adventures in the UAE League

After Turkey, Lucas moved to the United Arab Emirates. In August 2011, he signed a one-year contract with Al Jazira. He was released by the club in June 2012.

He then signed a one-year contract with Al Wasl in August 2012. In January 2013, Lucas left Al Wasl.

Short Stints in Australia and Japan

In February 2013, Lucas signed with Sydney FC in Australia. He played his first A-League game in February 2013. He played only four games during his time there.

On 18 August 2013, Lucas signed with Japanese team Omiya Ardija. He played for them for four months. At the end of the Japanese season, he was not offered a new contract.

Final Club Appearances

On 24 February 2014, Lucas signed for Championship team Watford. He made only one appearance for them. He was then loaned to Doncaster Rovers in March 2014. Lucas played four games for Doncaster. He was released by Watford in June 2014, which marked the end of his playing career.

International Career for Australia

Lucas Neill had a long and successful career playing for the Australian national team.

Early International Games

In October 1996, Lucas became one of the youngest players to debut for Australia. He was 18 years old when he played in a friendly game against Saudi Arabia. He also played for the Australian men's team, the Olyroos, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

World Cup Heroics

On 16 November 2005, Lucas helped Australia qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played the entire game against Uruguay. He even scored Australia's second penalty in a thrilling shoot-out. Australia won the match and qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 32 years. Lucas was named Man of the Match for his amazing performance.

Lucas played in all four of Australia's games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the final minutes of Australia's game against Italy, a penalty was awarded against Australia. Italy scored from the penalty, winning 1–0 and knocking Australia out of the tournament.

Becoming Captain

After the World Cup, Lucas was named the 50th captain of Australia on 6 October 2006. He made his debut as captain in a friendly match against Paraguay. He also captained Australia in an Asian Cup qualifying game against Bahrain.

In July 2007, during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Lucas was sent off in a game against Iraq. In the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup, he missed a penalty in a shoot-out against Japan. This led to Australia's elimination from the cup. Lucas played his 50th game for Australia in a World Cup Qualifier against Japan.

First International Goal and Later Challenges

In June 2013, Lucas scored his first goal for Australia. It was a header in a World Cup qualifying match against Jordan. This was his 91st game for Australia.

Towards the end of his international career, Lucas faced some criticism. This was partly because he was not playing regularly for a club. Despite this, he continued to be selected as captain. In May 2014, the Socceroos coach, Ange Postecoglou, told Lucas that he would not be part of Australia's squad for the 2014 World Cup.

Personal Life

Lucas Neill has a son named Marcus. Marcus is also a football player and has trained at several club academies.

After his playing career, Lucas faced some financial difficulties. He has since found new ways to work. He is now coaching football for a local women's team. He also works as a project manager for a digital company.

Career statistics

Club

International

Score and result list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Neill goal.

International goals scored by Lucas Neill

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	11 June 2013	Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, Australia	Jordan	4–0	4–0	2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Millwall

• Football League Second Division: 2000–01

Blackburn Rovers

• Football League Cup: 2001–02

Al Jazira

• UAE President's Cup: 2011–12

Australia

• OFC U-20 Championship: 1997
• AFC Asian Cup: runner-up, 2011
• OFC Nations Cup: 2004

Individual

• Millwall Player of the Year: 1996–97