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End of the road for Clement
Wednesday 6th January 2010, 10:00AM GMT.
Albion defender Neil Clement today announced his retirement after losing his long battle with knee injuries.
See also: Photos of Neil Clement’s Albion career
The 31-year-old has hung up his boots on medical advice three months short of the 10th anniversary of his move to The Hawthorns from Chelsea.
Send your tributes using the comment form below.
But the three-time promotion winner is set to stay with the Baggies for at least the rest of the season after accepting an initially temporary position behind the scenes.
Clement’s consultant urged him to quit after a last-ditch groundbreaking treatment failed to cure the right knee problem that has kept him sidelined for 17 months.
“I knew I was struggling because I’d been out for so long but when I actually heard the consultant say those words, it was still a really bitter pill to swallow,” said Clement.
“Nothing can prepare you for it. Being told your career is over is the one thing no player wants to hear.
“However, I can take real comfort from the fact I have tried absolutely everything to get back playing again.
“In years to come, it would have been an awful thing to look back and think ‘why didn’t I try this or that’? I have no regrets because, in my heart of hearts, I know I couldn’t have done any more.”
Clement signed from Chelsea in March 2000 and played 300 matches for the Baggies, becoming the only man to win three promotions with the club and playing a role in the ‘Great Escape’ under Bryan Robson. His last game for Albion was against QPR in 2008.
He is now weighing up his future but will spend the rest of this season working in Albion’s academy and sports science departments, having previously expressed an interest in sports physiotherapy.
He added: “I’m delighted that the chairman, Dan Ashworth and Roberto Di Matteo still feel I have a lot to offer the club, as do I. West Bromwich Albion have been part and parcel of my life for the past 10 years and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at the club and, of course, the fans for all their support over the past decade.”
Clement, son of the late former QPR and England full-back Dave Clement, spent four years at Chelsea playing four times and also played on loan with Reading, Preston and Brentford.
He then joined Albion on loan in March 2000, helped them avoid dropping into Division Two before moving permanently for £100,000 in July.
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Sorry to hear the news, Clem. Hope you can stay in football.
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Sad day neil, i to hope you stay in football, not many players stay at a club for 10 years.
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Even tho I’m a Wolves fan I admired the way Neil Clement has conducted himself, All the best Neil for the future! Lets hope Albion go up and wolves stay up as personally I don’t think there is a better derby.
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All the best Clem. Top Servant. Only player to have won 3 separate promotions with the Baggies. Fitting that the last game of his career was at QPR when we secured the Championship!
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I have watched this guy play for us for years and hearing his playing career is over is saddening news. Thanks for the memories Clemmo, you really are an Albion legend and will be sorely missed on the pitch.
I wish you and your family all the best in the future
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Sad news, if not unexpected. You always gave your all for the club and will be a good example to the kids in the Academy.
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Sad day the best baggie for a long time hope you stay involved with our great club. Good luck Clemo.
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God bless you Neil a great player all the best
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Thanks for eveything over 10 good years. A good player, excellent bloke and faithful club man. Good luck in the future Clem. We’ll always remember those piledriver shots.
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A real shame he has had to retire – I remember the night he hit a belter of a free kick against us at the Hawthorns way back in 2001! All the best for your future career Neil.
WWFC
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That most unusual thing in todays money mad game, a real club man. Always modest and seems a really nice bloke. Did a great job for us and his time at the club has coincided with the best spell the club has had for years. Thanks Clem, you’ve been a fantastic servant to the club, the sort of player that could give football a good name.
PS Well done to our club for looking after him.
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Sad News, great player and a good example to young ones, in this day and age. Good Luck Neil.
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A wonderful servant to the club and a model professional. I hope we still honour him with a testimonial despite his Albion career falling short of a decade by only a couple of months, and that he stays at the club in some capacity.
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Really sad news a great strong defender who we’ve missed so much recently.
I think Clem deserves a testimonial he was only a few months off surely these situations are the reason testimonials exist?
Clem it been a pleasure Good Luck with the fuure
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I feel gutted for Clemmo … Ok footballers live a good life and are paid well for there efforts, but Clem is a genuine guy that has time for anyone that wants to talk to him. I have never seen him once ignore anyone for a autograph even tho’ the stupid club banned them from signing stuff!!! (thats another story lol)
Clem has been a true pro all of his time at the Albion. I for one Clem would like to thank you for your service to our/your club and wish you the best in any future things you do. Hopefully they will look after you as with Appy
Good luck Clemm for the future Top Man!!
The REAL Baggie Boy
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Best of luck to the lad. Always a good honest pro and looked comfortable at centre back and full back. Conducted himself very well during a frustrating time. All the best to him and his family.
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very sad news today, you have been a true gent and ambassador for the baggies. Good luck in the future to you and your family in all that you do, and i for one hope you stay at the albion in one form or another, thanx for the memories and loyalty………….
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great servant to the club and a great player – hope he gets the chance to come out onto the pitch at half time so he can see how appreciated he was!!
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Good luck Neil. A dedicated model professional and family man.
At least you’ll be able to eat Christmas lunch on Christmas Day from now on Iinstead of in the Summer) :)
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So sorry to hear this news. Glad WBA are offering Neil an opportunity for the remainder of the season and hope that role can become permanent for the future as he has so much to offer. A great and LOYAL servant to the club which is so rare these days. All the best Neil – a true professional.
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Hard luck Neil, although not surprised. All
the best to you and your family, I hope
you stay at our great club as an inspiration
to the young lads.
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good luck clem a true albion legend
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All the best for the future Clem. With your spirit and determination I believe you still have a great deal to offer the game. Best dead ball kicker we’ve had in recent times!
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What bad news to read on a snowy day.
I have enjoyed the years of watching Clem dispatch his ‘thunderbolt’ free kicks, and have longed to see again those surging runs up the flank’s!
He has been a tremendous player for the Albion and I am pleased to see the Club treating him with the respect he deserves.
Neil Clements is in my mind a ‘Baggies Legend’!In the same way that Tony Brown is a Baggies Legend.
I hope others feel the same way towards him as I do. Good Luck into the future Neil.
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a true honest hard working professional footballer who was loved by albion fans for always giving his all.
all the very best neil !
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Gutted!! Sorry to hear this news, but unfortunately it was on the cards wasn’t it?!
Best of luck with your future Clem. Hopefully you’ll stay at the Shrine and move into coaching like Appy did after having to hang his boots up early.
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Clem came in at a time when the club was on the way down. He was a big part of the turn around and to have played a part in 3 promotions during his time as a player says it all. Really sad to hear the news of his injury forced retirement – I am sure he still has a lot to offer the club and football as a whole – A REAL ALBION LEGEND. All the best for the future Clem…………..
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We would like pay our tribute to a great proffessional, great player and a gentlemen
We can remeber some outstanding performances and cracking goals. My son and I have me Neil and he spent time to chat and was most courteous
You will be sorely missed and we certainly hope you continue a role in football especially at the Baggies.
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Sad to hear the news, a great servant to the club over the last 10 years. Will be an excellent example to the kids in the Academy. All the best for the future Neil.
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Clem-you are a true Baggie legend good luck,i hope your future will always be with us the club you love.
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all the best clem what sad news you arrived at a time when we as a club wasnt havin the best of times and you have played a massive part in our upturn and our seasons in the prem which at one time never looked possable your dedication made it so .my lad was a mascot away at blackpool 2 seasons ago we were lucky to meet the team in the dressing room b4 the game, we just stood there but you introduced yourself an broke the nerves what a gent and a legend
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sad day for both club and Neil, A real legend at the Albion! his honesty and commitment towards our club was impeccable. I hope he stays in football and most importantly with us because our kids can learn alot!
Thank you Clem, you have brought a lot of good times and memorable moments over the last 10 years!
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A sad day but hopefully will c u in a managerial role sometime soon in the future!
You have been a player to admire and always conducted yourself in the correct manner!
You have become and will go down as a albion Legand!
Boing Boing…..
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Sad news all round. As many have said you have been a fantastic servant and loyal to boot.
I really do feel for you, i know footballers have a great life and are financially rewarded, but to be told you can no longer carry on doing the thing that you love more than any other must be hard to take.
I fully support and back him to have a testimonial.
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Clem could of walked away from Albion years
ago when he was at the top of game but didnt
he decided to stay with the Baggies and help
us win promotion to the Prem,the bloke is a
top geezer and will always be rememberd by
many Albion fans.
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Legend, simple as that. Im 23 and apart from Bob Taylor, hes Mr Albion in my lifetime. Clearly loved the club, played his heart on his sleeve, sorely missed in the back 4. A proper snotter, I’d have him back in his prime right now. Won’t ever forget him during the Megson years, from relegation battles, free kicks, to Premiership football, a true leader and grafter with as sweet a left foot as you will see. Maybe even a Albion manager in the future, who knows, i wudnt grumble at a McInnes/Clement double act. Clem, u have left a lot of memories, and they are all good. U wont be forgotten by us, NEVER!
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Neil,Thankyou for being our player.You are what football is all about~HONESTY~LOYALTY and FRIENDSHIP.All the best to you and yours.Jack the Hat.
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Best wishes to Neil for a successful future in whatever he decides to do.
He has been a model professional at WBA and deserves the support being shown to him from The club. Well done Mr Peace.
Hope you get the option to stay at the club and grow our new potential while you realise your own.
It is refreshing in these days to see a footballer stay loyal to a team for so long. I will be eagerly awaiting a due testimonial for Clem.
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Very sad for Clemmo – but at least now he can relax a bit now as trying to recover from a bad injury is a nightmare.
Very fitting that his last game was against his dad’s old club – and maybe a testimonial against Chelsea would be a fitting tribute to a great career.
Top player and Top bloke. all the best Clem.
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very sad news clem (albion legend). hope u stay in some role with the baggies. all the best and thanks for the ten years of commitment
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what a hero you have been for the fans of this club, i am truly gutted for you Neil!
i will always remember the freekick you banged in against the wolves happy days! all the best to you Neil
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From all baggie fans a thank you to Clem, always sorry to hear of anyone having to retire through injury.
Clem is a rare breed never rocking the boat and a loyal servant to the club.
Good luck for the future and many thanks for the many memorable moments you contributed to in the Albion history. Hope you can get fixed up with us in some capacity as loyalty deserves rewarding.
Hope JP gives you a deserved testimonial hopefully against the Wolves!! or Chelsea!!
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Very bad news.Thanks Neil ,for your great contribution over the last 10 years.All the best for the future and hope theres a role at our club.
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Thanks for the loyalty and the memories Clem, it’s been an absolute pleasure having you grace the famous blue and white stripes.
Hopefully you will choose to stay on at the Albion because I believe you still have so much to offer the game in a coaching and management capacity given your experience and leadership skills.
Top man and good luck with whatever you decide.
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A true Baggie and loyal servant to the Albion. Remenber the goal against Man City in the Promotion year…..always gave 100%…the club have stood by him over the last few years during his injuries,and will surely give him what he deserves, a testimonial.
Boing Boing Clem…………..
Paul
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One of the best players to set foot on the hallowed Albion turf
Good Luck Clem and thank you
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Very sad news indeed.Clemmo is a gentleman and his loyalty will never be forgotten.Not many players today show the loyalty he has and also conduct themselves has well as he has in their private lives.Clemmo you will never be forgotten and i hope you stay on in a coaching role.You were a fantastic player and we could do with your free kicks now.God Bless and goodluck for the future.
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A really sad day for Clem the club and the fans. A truly loyal servant to our great club and model pro.
I wish Clem and his family all the best and hope he can stay at Albion in some capacity.
If the game is on this Friday I hope he comes on the pitch to say goodbye and lets give him a super send off.
Top man
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He’s one of us, and we never forget our own.
Good luck in the future Neil, it was a pleasure watching you play and it will be a pleasure watching you rise up the ranks at the Albion just as Appy has.
Also its been noted that some of our friends from Wolverhampton have passed on their regards too. Its good to know that the banter is just that and when it comes down to it we all respect someone who has put their heart and soul into a club.
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Can’t say i’m the least bit surprised about this disappointing news…i was expecting it but that didn’t stop me hoping throughout the summer and most of this season that we may just see him return – that shows just how much we valued him, an even bigger loss than losing Thomas Gaardsoe to injury also.
I don’t really like friendlies, can’t get into them and testimonials are usually games i dont bother with but i made an obvious exception with SuperBobs and i would also with Neils should the club do the right thing and grant him one. All the best mate, your Albion may be over but it certainly won’t be forgotten round here!
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Really sad news when we signed him from chelsea i knew we had a good player and i was right. hope albion give the guy a role training the first team or if he dont he can get a job on sky sport after all he be much better than the likes of paul merson
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Sad news. Great player, great pro, great servant and great memories. Where would we be without Clem? Since Clem arrived the club has moved in the right direction. Cheers Clem!
Good look for the future, hope it’s with us!
Paul the baggie.
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A very sad day Neil.You are a legend. I hope you have a testimonial that you deserve and you remain at the club. It has been an honour and privilege to have watched you play. Good luck to you and your family.
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All the best to Neil, a great pro, who served his club for many loyal years, hope he finds a job in football. In derby game I always looked for his name on the baggies team sheet hoping he was not playing ! He always seemed to have great games against us !
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can’t really add anything more than what has already been said, but feel i have to make a comment regarding to one helluva player. deep down, we were all hoping that he would play again under the new regime. sadly it wasn’t to be.
clem, you are a star and i sincerely hope that you are associated in some capacity with the baggies for years to come.
all the best!
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Clem who could forget those brilliant free kicks and those superb long passes, the fans always loved you because you always gave us 100% you will be sadly missed, all the best for the future
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What a great player for the albion. How good was it when he lined up to take a free kick….
Hope all goes well for him in the future.
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Cheers Clem, brilliant servant to WBA and will be missed on the pitch. Hopefully will stay on after this season and be involved long after.
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sad news,i remember when we signed him he looked class,he always give us 100% where ever he played,i will always remember his goal vs man city in that 4-nil pure class.
he never asked to leave after we went down unlike some who we could mention.
i trully hope that we can find’s neil a job within the club aswell as an testimonial.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU NEIL,A TRUE SERVANT TO THE BAGGIES.
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Sad to hear this news.Always a good battler who have 100% especially against us!
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Neil
All the best for the future. You have been a great servant to us & were there when our fortunes started to turn round. You are a class player & bloke a true gent.
met you at one of the player christmas dinners a few years back & you had loads of time for my two lads,thanks foy your efforts on & off the pitch.
Love you to stay with the Baggies in some role.
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When a player draws respect and admiration from the Baggies and Wolves alike you can be sure he is special. Both as a footballer and a man, Clem has united the Black Country’s true fans.
Be optimistic for the future Neil, your character, loyalty and application will help you succeed in whatever you decide to do. Thanks for the memories and I endorse what has been said about the club’s support and encouragement for you.
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So sad for everyone involved at the Albion. 10 years service to one club is a rarity in todays football and he will be remembered as an Albion legend in years to come.
Great left foot, I still picture that free kick against the Wolves and was one of the best free kicks ive seen scored by an Albion players.
Played everywhere for us and rarely had a mare. His comeback in the last promotion was one of the reasons we went on to win the league in my opinion.
I’ll queue all night for a ticket to his testaminial should he get one and lets hope he does,
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Chin-up son, you must hurt like hell at the moment. Can´t see many Albion players clocking up 10 years service. He deserves a testimonial. How about Barca?
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Can’t find my way round this new E&S site yet.
I’m with Happy and others who said Chelsea for the testimonial…and yet, warrabaht it Wulfies ? It would pack out The Hawthorns and I’d pay happily just for the tribal love/hate relationship. Neil deserves a full house and that sort of a memory to keep him warm on a cold night.
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