Aran Embleton also called "Azza" by her teammates (born 7 October 1981) is an English footballer. She signed for North Shields Ladies in February 2011, having previously played in midfield or attack for Sunderland Women and Doncaster Belles. Aran is a fast and very skilful midfielder/forward who has the ability to change a game. She had many offers for scholarships in America but turned them all down to play for her home team.[citation needed]
 Aran after receiving her England Legacy Cap at St George's Park in April 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aran Helen Nevins Embleton | ||
| Date of birth | 7 October 1981[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Cramlington, Northumberland, England[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder, Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –2000 | Blyth Spartans Kestrels | ||
| 2000–2001 | Doncaster Belles | ||
| 2001–2002 | Sunderland Women | ||
| 2002–2003 | Chester-le-Street Ladies | ||
| 2005–2006 | Whitley Bay Ladies | ||
| Cramlington Juniors (captain) | |||
| 2011– | North Shields Ladies | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| 2001 | England | 4 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 09:50, 8 May 2011 (UTC) | |||
Since 2024 Aran is the co-host of The Toon Review YouTube Channel alongside Lady Sam.
Club career
editAfter starting her career with Cowgate Kestrels now known as Sunderland, Embleton joined Doncaster Belles in 1999–00. That season she set up the winning goal in Doncaster's FA Women's Cup semi–final win over Arsenal,[3] and also started the final defeat to Croydon.[4] In October 2000 Embleton scored twice against her former club, as The Belles beat Sunderland 4–0.[5]
In December 2001 Embleton returned to Sunderland,[6] but moved on to Chester-le-Street Ladies a year later.[7] After taking a break from football, Embleton joined newly–formed club Whitley Bay in 2005 and scored 46 goals in 2005–06, before reportedly being approached by Sunderland again in August 2006.[8]
She transferred to North Shields Ladies in February 2011, having featured for Cramlington Juniors in the intervening period.[9][needs update]
International career
editAran Embleton played for England, her first national call up was at the age of 14 for a training week with the senior women at bisham abbey then went onto U–18s before being called into the senior squad for the annual La Manga Club training camp in January 2001.[10] She made her debut as a substitute in a 4–2 friendly win over Spain at Kenilworth Road in March 2001.[11] In doing so she reportedly became the first woman from the North East to represent England.[7]
Although not selected for UEFA Women's Euro 2001, Embleton remained in contention and played in the next friendly, a 3–0 loss to Denmark in Northampton.[12] She made another appearance in a World Cup qualifier in Portugal in November 2001.[13] She was called up to a 30-strong training party in La Manga in January 2002.[14]
In April 2023, Aran received her England Legacy Cap at St George's Park after The FA had decided to introduce Legacy Caps in November 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of an official England women's team. Her Legacy Cap number (#137) was presented to her by Alex Greenwood.[15]
She was allotted 137 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[16][17]
References
edit- ^ "Player Statistics". FIFA. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
- ^ Vince Gledhill (10 February 2005). "A true breeding ground for the stars". The Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Colin Aldis (25 March 2000). "The 'Belles' break record of Final appearances". Women's Soccer World. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- ^ Sarah Hughes (2 May 2000). "Hunt keeps Croydon on double track". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- ^ Tony Leighton (22 October 2000). "Belles keep up pressure on Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "Sunderland desperate for a home win". Sunderland Echo. 9 March 2002. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Embleton joins Cestrians". The Northern Echo. 31 January 2003. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ^ "08/08/2006 - Embleton to sign for Sunderland". Whitley Bay FC. 8 August 2006. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "New Signing". North Shields Ladies. 16 February 2011. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Tony Leighton (14 January 2001). "Belles hell for Barry Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Tony Leighton (21 March 2001). "England Ladies shine". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "England women suffer Danish defeat". Northampton Town FC. 23 August 2001. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ Sébastien Duret (8 December 2002). "European Qualifying for Women's World Cup 2003 - Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "Blyth in line for league treble". Sunday Sun. 29 January 2002. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "England women's legacy and results archive". The FA. 18 November 2022.
- ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
External links
edit- Aran Embleton at FIFA