Neil Etheridge

Neil Etheridge

Etheridge with Fulham in 2010
Personal information
Full nameNeil Leonard Dula Etheridge[1]
Date of birth7 February 1990
Place of birthEnfield, London, England
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Charlton Athletic
Number44
Youth career
2003–2006Chelsea
2006–2008Fulham
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2008–2014Fulham0(0)
2008–2009→ Leatherhead (loan)1(0)
2011→ Charlton Athletic (loan)0(0)
2012→ Bristol Rovers (loan)12(0)
2013–2014→ Crewe Alexandra (loan)4(0)
2014–2015Oldham Athletic0(0)
2014→ Charlton Athletic (loan)2(0)
2015–Charlton Athletic2(0)
National team‡
2005England U-161(0)
2008–Philippines43(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:38, 17 January 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:38, 5 January 2015 (UTC)

Neil Leonard Dula Etheridge (born 7 February 1990) is an English–Filipino footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Charlton Athletic and for the Philippines national team. He joined the Fulham Academy after three years as a trainee at Chelsea and made his debut for Fulham in UEFA Europa League against the Danish club Odense BK. He made his debut in the Football League while on loan to Bristol Rovers. A former England Schoolboys international, he now represents the Philippines at senior international level.

Early life

Etheridge was born in Enfield Town to Englishman Martin Etheridge and Filipina Merlinda Dula, a native of Tarlac.[2][3] He took up the sport of football at the age of nine[3] and attended Court Moor School in Fleet, Hampshire where he also represented Hampshire Schools and the Aldershot & Farnborough district teams.[4]

Club career

Chelsea Academy

Etheridge began attending the Chelsea Academy in 2003,[4] where he was also teammates with eventual Philippine internationals James and Phil Younghusband. He started out as a forward but eventually switched to playing as a goalkeeper at the suggestion of his coach.[3]

Fulham

In 2006, he moved to local rivals Fulham, and signed professional terms for the club.[5]

In September 2008, Etheridge signed for Isthmian League Division One South club Leatherhead on loan for the entire 2008–09 season and made his debut on 20 September in the 2–1 home defeat to Metropolitan Police.[6] In September 2009, Etheridge underwent surgery on both knees. He was expected to be out for the entire 2009–10 season but returned in January 2010, eventually making nine appearances for the reserves. By the end of the season he signed a new one-year deal, keeping him at Fulham until the summer of 2011, attributing his contract extension to his quick recovery.[7] Etheridge received his first senior team call-up on 11 September 2010, when he was named on the substitute bench as cover for Mark Schwarzer in a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to an injury to regular second choice goalkeeper David Stockdale.[8] In March 2011 Etheridge joined League One side Charlton Athletic on loan,[9] but was recalled six days later without playing for them.[10] Etheridge signed a contract extension in May that would extend his stay at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2013.[11]

He made his first senior appearance for Fulham against Odense Boldklub in the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League on 14 December.[12] On 23 March 2012 upon his return to Fulham after completing his international duties, it was announced that Etheridge will be out for the rest of the season due to a wrist injury that was obtained in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. He recovered quickly and on 9 May he has been able to play in the Development squad's last game of the season against the reserves of West Bromwich Albion.

He joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on an initial one-month loan on 20 September 2012.[13] He made his first Football League appearance for the Rovers against Fleetwood Town on 22 September, in which was his and Rovers first clean sheet of 2012–13 season.[14] On 21 November, Fulham confirmed that Etheridge had been recalled from his loan at Bristol Rovers.[15]

Etheridge signed a one-year extension to his Fulham contract on 8 May 2013, with the option of a further year extension.[16]

On 22 November 2013, he joined Football League One side Crewe Alexandra on loan until 1 January 2014.[17]

On 25 February 2014, he rejoined Crewe Alexandra on loan until 13 April [18] but was recalled on 4 April by Fulham.[19]

At the end of 2013–14 season, he was released by Fulham.[20]

Oldham Athletic

Etheridge joined League One club Oldham Athletic on a two-month deal on 30 October 2014.[21]

Charlton Athletic

On 27 November 2014, Etheridge rejoined Charlton Athletic on a one-month loan deal.[22] He made his league debut, for Charlton on 26 December 2014, in a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City. Manager Bob Peeters had opted to play Etheridge, Charlton's third choice goalkeeper, ahead of second choice Nick Pope whose performances in previous games Peeters had described as "a bit unlucky". [23]

On 5 January, 2015, Etheridge signed a short-term contract with Charlton until the end of the 2014–15 season.[24]

International career

Etheridge is a former England under-16 international, having played in the 2005 Victory Shield,[4] in which England and Wales eventually shared the trophy. Despite having represented England at youth level, he remained eligible to represent the Philippines through his mother.

“ It took me a long time to decide. Obviously every boy's dream is to play for England at the highest level. But I thought, why not play for the Philippines? It's mum's side of the family as well. ”

—Etheridge, on his decision to represent the Philippines[25]

In 2007, Etheridge received an invitation to play for the Philippines but declined the offer, citing unfamiliarity with the language and the players.[26] He was again invited in early 2008, this time by the new Philippine Football Federation president Jose Mari Martinez.[27] He eventually accepted the invitation after speaking to the new manager and learning about the set up,[26] and after encouragement from Phil Younghusband.[3]

Etheridge made his full international debut in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, playing in all three matches. He kept three clean sheets but the Philippines still failed to qualify due to an inferior goal difference to group winners Tajikistan.[28]

He was called up again later that year for the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification matches.[29] In their opening match, Etheridge got his fourth successive clean sheet, as the Philippines defeated Timor-Leste 1–0.[30] However, in their remaining three fixtures, Etheridge conceded five goals as the Philippines won another match, drew one and lost one, before being eliminated on the basis of goals scored record after finishing tied for second.[31]

His next call up that came was for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. The Philippines came in second in their group, with one win and two draws, and conceding only one goal. But both legs of the semi-finals ended in 1–0 defeats for the Philippines against Indonesia. Etheridge was then called up for his country for the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers where he conceded only a single goal-enabling the Philippines to qualify for the group stage. Etheridge announced his interest of participation in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup but needing to seek Martin Jol's Approval. He got his clearance from his club and was included in the final 23-man squad.

On 9 March 2012 against DPR Korea, he saved a penalty taken by Pak Song-Chol in the 16th minute and kept the scoreline respectable as the match ended 2–0[32] He was sent off in the closing minutes of semi-final game against Turkmenistan, which the Philippines lost by a score of 1–2. Due to the red card he was not able to play in the battle for third, but still Philippines bounced back to claim the 3rd place, defeating Palestine 4–3.[33]

In a friendly against Hong Kong in 2013, Etheridge earned his 40th cap at the age of 23. He put up a wonderful performance by saving a penalty and keeping out clear cut chances from the opponent especially in the dying minutes of the game to preserve the historic 1–0 win.[34]

In August 2014, Etheridge was not included in the training squad for the 2014 Peace Cup, which also serves as the country's preliminary squad for the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup.[35]

Career statistics

Club

As of 30 October 2014.[36]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fulham 2008–09 000010–10
2009–10 0000000000
2011–12 0000001010
2012–13 000000–00
2013–14 000000–00
Total Fulham0000101020
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2010–11 000000–00
Bristol Rovers (loan) 2012–13 12000––120
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2013–14 7000––70
Oldham Athletic 2014–15 0000––00
Career totals 190001010210

International

As of 20 May 2014[37]
Philippines national team
YearAppsGoals
2008 7 0
2009 3 0
2010 8 0
2011 10 0
2012 10 0
2013 4 0
2014 1 0
Total 43 0

Honours

England U-16
Philippines

References

  1. ↑ "Philippines roster – 2008 AFC Challenge Cup". Asian Football Confederation. Archived from -scheduleresults?view=teamdetails&compID=252&roundID=57&groupID=60&teamID=195&id=0 the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. ↑ Noguera, Emil C. (10 January 2011). "Etheridge: A man with vision for Philippine football". Philippine Index. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Tupas, Cedelf P. (13 May 2008). "Etheridge's goal in between posts". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Keeper gets England call". Get Hampshire. 11 October 2005. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "20 July – Dream Come True". Fleet Hampshire News. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  6. ↑ Blackledge, Sam (22 September 2008). "Football round-up, September 20". Get Surrey. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  7. ↑ Tupas, Cedelf P. (25 June 2010). "Fulham FC signs goalie Etheridge to extension". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  8. ↑ "Fulham v Wolves". BBC Sport. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  9. ↑ "Addicks sign young Fulham keeper Neil Etheridge". BBC Sport. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Keeper Neil Etheridge recalled from Charlton by Fulham". BBC Sport. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "Etheridge contract extension". Fulham F.C. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "Fulham 2–2 Odense BK". Fulham F.C. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  13. ↑ "Etheridge loan". FulhamFC.com. Fulham Football Club. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Full-time: Bristol Rovers 0 Fleetwood Town 0". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  15. ↑ "Etheridge Recalled". Fulham FC. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  16. ↑ "Etheridge's Extension". Fulham FC. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  17. ↑ "Etheridge Joins Crewe". Fulham Football Club. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  18. ↑ "Etheridge rejoins Crewe". Fulham Football Club. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "Etheridge Recalled". Fulham Football Club. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  20. ↑ "Premier League clubs submit retained and released lists". Premier League. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Neil Etheridge: Oldham sign keeper on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "Charlton sign goalkeeper Neil Etheridge on loan". Charlton Athletic F.C. 27 November 2014.
  23. ↑ "Peeters: We should have won". Charlton Athletic. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "Charlton signs Philippines International". Charlton Athletic FC. 5 January 2015.
  25. ↑ Neil Etheridge feature (Television production via Youtube). Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Etheridge heads east". FulhamFC.com. Fulham Football Club. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "4 Fil-British players join football team". Manila Bulletin (Find Articles). 29 April 2009. Archived from the original (REPRINT) on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  28. ↑ "Tajikistan sail through". Asian Football Confederation. 18 May 2008. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "International Action". FulhamFC.com (Fulham Fulham Football Club). 9 October 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "Borromeo breaks Timor's hearts". ASEAN Football Federation. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  31. ↑ Nathanielsz, Ronnie (26 October 2008). "Philippines edged out of Suzuki Cup main event". Inside Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  32. ↑ Tupas, Cedelf (10 March 2012). "Spirited Azkals yield by just 2 to North Koreans". sports.inquirer.net. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  33. ↑ Leyba, Olmin (16 March 2012). "Fairy tale ends in nightmare for Azkals". philstar.com. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  34. ↑ http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/311-team-pilipinas/30624-azkals-nip-host-hong-kong-in-friendly
  35. ↑ http://filipinofootball.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/aff-suzuki-cup-philippines-gear-up-for.html
  36. ↑ "Neil Etheridge profile". Soccerbase. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  37. ↑ Neil Etheridge at National-Football-Teams.com

External links