Aran Embleton
FullnameAran Helen Nevins Embleton
Birth date7 October 1981 (age 44)[1]
Birth placeDudley, Northumberland, England[2]
PositionMidfielder, Forward
Years 11991–2000
Years 22000–2001
Years 32001–2002
Years 42002–2003
Years 52005–2006
Years 72011–
Clubs 1Blyth Spartans Kestrels
Clubs 2Doncaster Belles
Clubs 3Sunderland Women
Clubs 4Chester-le-Street Ladies
Clubs 5Whitley Bay Ladies
Clubs 6Cramlington Juniors
Clubs 7North Shields Ladies
Nationalyears 11995–2002[citation needed]
Nationalteam 1England
Nationalcaps 14
Nationalgoals 10
Ntupdate09:50, 8 May 2011 (UTC)

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. She had many offers for scholarships in America but turned them all down to play for her home team.[citation needed]

Since 2024, Aran is the co-host of The Toon Review YouTube Channel alongside Lady Sam.[citation needed]

Club career

After 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

Aran 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]

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

  1. ^ "Player Statistics". FIFA. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  2. ^ Vince Gledhill (2005-02-10). "A true breeding ground for the stars". The Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  3. ^ Colin Aldis (2000-03-25). "The 'Belles' break record of Final appearances". Women's Soccer World. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
  4. ^ Sarah Hughes (2000-05-02). "Hunt keeps Croydon on double track". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
  5. ^ Tony Leighton (2000-10-22). "Belles keep up pressure on Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  6. ^ "Sunderland desperate for a home win". Sunderland Echo. 2002-03-09. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  7. ^ "Embleton joins Cestrians". The Northern Echo. 2003-01-31. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
  8. ^ "08/08/2006 - Embleton to sign for Sunderland". Whitley Bay FC. 2006-08-08. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  9. ^ "New Signing". North Shields Ladies. 2011-02-16. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  10. ^ Tony Leighton (2001-01-14). "Belles hell for Barry Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  11. ^ Tony Leighton (2001-03-21). "England Ladies shine". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  12. ^ "England women suffer Danish defeat". Northampton Town FC. 2001-08-23. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  13. ^ Sébastien Duret (2002-12-08). "European Qualifying for Women's World Cup 2003 - Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  14. ^ "Blyth in line for league treble". Sunday Sun. 2002-01-29. Retrieved 2011-05-08.
  15. ^ "England women's legacy and results archive". The FA. 18 November 2022.
  16. ^ "ENGLAND PLAYER LEGACY AND RESULTS ARCHIVE". The Football Association. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  17. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (2022-11-18). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 2023-06-19.