WestBrom.com : Player Profiles : Neil Clement

Biography

Born in Reading on October 3rd 1978, Neil is the son of the late former Queens Park Rangers and England full-back Dave Clement. Neil started off as a scholar at Lilleshall and as a youngster moved up to the Midland's for a short space of time. While in the Midlands Neil was invited to train with Aston Villa and was very close to signing for the Villans, but due to a change in personnel Neil decided against the move. Neil went to look at both Manchester United and Arsenal's youth set-up's, and could have signed for either club. Neil also looked at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea's youth set-up's; these two set-ups impressed him the most and thought they would give him the best chance of progressing. In the end Neil signed for Chelsea as they were the club that appealed to him the most, and this also meant that he could move back to London where he grew up.

Neil joined Chelsea on the Youth Training Scheme and signed Professional forms when he was 17. He made his Chelsea debut in a 3-1 home victory over London rivals West Ham United in December 1996. After countless reserve team outings Neil would make his next appearance coming on as a substitute in Chelsea's 4-1 League Cup home victory over Aston Villa in October 1998. Two weeks later Neil would again come on as a substitute in the same competition, this time in a 5-0 away victory over London rivals Arsenal.

In November 98 Neil was loaned out to his hometown club Reading, he made his Royals' debut in a 1-0 away victory at Northampton Town the same month. Neil scored his first professional goal in only his second appearance for the Royals', scoring the first in a 2-1 home victory over Lincoln City on November 28th 1998. During his three month loan spell at the Madejski Stadium Neil went on to make a further 10 league appearances, as well as one appearance in the Auto Windshield Trophy, scoring one league goal in total.

After returning back to the Bridge, Neil was once again loaned out a few months later, this time to Lancashire outfit Preston North End. Neil made his Lilywhites debut in a 1-0 away defeat at Colchester United on April 2nd 1999, a game which also saw him receive his first red card of his career. During his two month loan spell at Deepdale, Neil made four league appearances for the Lilywhites, and returned back to Chelsea.

At the start of the 1999/2000 season Neil was still finding first team opportunities hard to come by. In November 99 he was loaned out to Division Two side Brentford. He made his Bee's debut away at Dean Court; a day he'd rather forget as Bournemouth ran out 4-1 winners. Neil would make a further six league appearances as well as one substitute appearance during his loan spell at Griffin Park.

Neil returned to Chelsea and would make his final appearance for the Blues on Sunday 20th February 2000, making a rare substitute appearance in the 6th Round FA Cup tie against Gillingham at Stamford Bridge.

On transfer deadline day of the 1999/2000 season, Neil was one of four players Gary Megson brought into the Club. Neil was initially brought in on loan until the end of the season. On Thursday 6th July 2000, Neil signed permanently for Albion putting pen to paper on a four year deal. Costing the club a bargain £100,000, plus a further £50,000 based on appearances.