Michael Owen Fact File

Michael Owen was born on 14th December 1979 in Chester. He is a great asset to Liverpool Football Club and at the club he plays a forward. He has recently joined the England Squad and plays number 20, as this position he has become a great role model for all young footballers. Michael Owen signed with Liverpool aged 11, where he eventually won the Youth FA Cup. In 1997, he played his first games for the first team, becoming a regular. He then played for England in the 1998 World Cup at the age of 18. Michael Owen, a product of Liverpool's youth system burst on the scene towards the end of the 1996/97 season with a debut goal in the away draw with Wimbledon. He was given his first start later that week when Liverpool met Sheffield Wednesday. Michael was a constant threat in that match but he couldn't get the goal his performance deserved, he was still given the Man Of The Match award for his wholehearted performance. Unfortunately for Michael he didn't have another chance to impress that season, as that was the final match. At the start of the 1997/98 season Michael was still in the Liverpool side, as Robbie Fowler was carrying an injury. Playing alongside the experienced Riedle, Michael again showed his natural talent, again scoring an equalizer against Wimbledon. With Fowler missing games through injury and suspension Michael was given plenty of chances in the first team, and in a Coca-Cola Cup-tie against Grimsby he scored his first hatrick.Michael (20) is one of the most promising players in England and now has a regular first team place and is sure to be an Anfield favorite for years come…

1979:
Born December 14, Chester, son of footballer Terry who played for Chester & Rochdale after a brief spell at Everton.

1991:
Breaks Ian Rush's goalscoring record for Deeside Primary Schools in North Wales after he had previously beaten Gary Speed's record as the youngest player to play for the team.

1994: Surpasses Kevin Gallen & Nick Barmby's joint goal-scoring record for England Under 15s

1995:
Beats Kevin gallen and nick Barmby's goalscoring record for england Under-15s.

1996:
May- Helps Liverpool with the FA Youth Cup
October - Makes his debut for the England under-18s and scores all four goals in the win over Northern Ireland.
December -Signs professional terms with Liverpool on 17th Birthday on December 14 after he had joined them as a schoolboy.Helps youth team to win FA Youth Cup for the first time in club history.

1997:
May 6 - Scores on his first team debut against Wimbledon coming on as a substitute to score in a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park.
June - scores three goals in five games as England Under 20s reach the second round stage of the World Youth Championships in Malaysia. 
August 9 - Starts the new season in the first team in the absence of the injured Robbie Fowler & scores in a 1-1 draw, again at Wimbledon. 
September 9 -Sent off playing for England Under-18s against Yugoslavia.
September 16 - Scores on European debut against Celtic in UEFA Cup. 
Oktober 5- Invited to train with England senior squad.
November 18 - Nets his first senior hat-trick against Grimsby in the Coca Cola Cup.
December 17 - Scores on this debut for England Under-21s against Greece in a 4-2 victory.

1998:
February 2 -Named in Glenn Hoddle's senior squad for the first time.
Invited into full England squad & makes debut in friendly match against Chile. Breaks Duncan Edwards' 43-years-old record as the youngest England player this century. Edwards was 18 years & 183 days old when he played against Scotland in 1955 - Owen was 18 years & 59 days when England played Chile. 
February 11- Becomes youngest England international this century when he strats against Chile.
February 14 - Scores his first Premeirship hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday.
April 10 - Sent off against Manchester United after scoring equaliser.Finishes season joint top scorer in the Premiership with 18 league goals.
May 27- Becomes youngest England goalscorer when he nets the only goal against Morocco in Casablanca in the 1-0 win . Was knocked out earlier in the game after a collision with Moroccan goalkeeper.
May 31 - Named in England's World Cup (France 98) squad of 22.
June 1 - Is named in Glenn Hoddle's England squad for the World Cup finals in France as one of four main strikers, along with Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham & Les Ferdinand. 
June 26 - Glenn Hoddle bows to public opinion by naming him in the team to play Colombia at Lens.
June 30 - Scores a sensational goal against Argentina before England bow out of France 98 on penalties.
December 13- Named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, one day ahead of his 19th birthday.

1999:
April 12 - Injuries his hamstring against Leeds at Elland Road, a knock that rules him out for the rest of the season. Clinches the Premiership's joint top scorer award for the second season running with 18 goals.

FA CUP - Scored 51 goals in 99 games for Liverpool. Today ( Sunday 5th Dec 1999) is his 100th game for Liverpool. Joint top Premiership scorer in past 2 seasons, with 18 goals in each. Missed start of this season after injuring hamstring at Leeds on Apr 12.

Won 17th and 18th England caps (5 goals) in recent play-off games v Scotland. Scored in
only 3 of his 13 games this season. Missed a penalty in 1-0 win v Chelsea at Anfield on Oct
16. Redknapp has now taken over the responsibility.

Started last four games, having missed previous two with a hamstring injury. He and Fowler
have played only 95 minutes together this season (3 v Arsenal, 26 v Man Utd and 66 v Everton).

Celebrates his 20th birthday on 14th December 1999. Has scored twice in two FA Cup games. Both
goals came last season, in 3rd round 3-0 win at Port Vale, and in 4th round v Man Utd at Old Trafford (lost 2-1).

10 Fantastic Owen Facts!

1.Michael is the youngest ever player to score for England, his first goal was against Morocco in Casablanca after coming as a substitute for the injured Ian Wright. 
2. He scored his first hat-trick away to Sheffield Wednesday and, despite his stunning performance, Liverpool only drew the match 3-3. 
3. In his first full season at Anfield, Michael finished joint top scorer in the premiership with 18 goals. Coventry's Dion Dublin and Blackburn's Chris Sutton finished on the same total. 
4. He scored on his first-team debut at Wimbledon in May 1997. He was only 17 and appeared as a second-half substitute, netting in The Reds' 2-1 defeat. 
5. In 1995 Owen first hit the big time while wearing an England shirt when he broke the schoolboys' goal scoring record. 
6. Michael has been going out with the same girl since his school days. 
7. Michael received an FA Youth Cup winner's medal in the 1995-96 season, scoring a goal in the second leg of the final as they beat West Ham 4-1 on aggregate. 
8. Owen picked up the PFA Young Player of The Year award after his outstanding performances this year. 
9. Sports Umbro signed him up to wear their boots at the age of just 15. He has his own pair of custom made boots, which he sported in the World Cup. 
10. Although Michael plays for England, he could have played international football elsewhere. His grandparents are Scottish and he grew up in Wales.

10 Things You Never Knew About Owen

1. Michael has a rather broad taste in music, with his faves including Three Lions popsters the Lightning Seeds... and crinkly, crappy old crooner Lionel Richie
2. He lives in Hawarden, a well posh village just a little way outside Chester right on the border of England and Wales.
3. When he was younger Michael's favorite TV show was Record Breakers, but these days he prefers A Question of Sport.
4. When he first signed for Liverpool as a YTS trainee Michael was paid the grand sum of £42.50 a week by the Anfield club. His wages have risen a little bit since then, apparently!
5. Michael's mum cooks him tea every night as he's useless in the kitchen.
6. If Michael and his long term girlfriend Louise ever get hitched don't expect to see loads of Becks n Posh style wedding pics in Hello! "When i get married i want to do it quietly," he says.
7. Despite those Walkers crisps TV ads, don't expect Michael to follow Vinny Jones and Eric Cantona into acting. "I'm really bad at acting, i'd rather stick to what I can do."
8. Michael's always been well into his sports. When he was a youngster he trained as a boxer for a year and even had a few bouts. His favourite boxer is yank bad boy Mike Tyson.
9. Michael's the youngest but one in the Owen family. He's got two older brothers (Terry n Andrew) and an older sister (Karen). Youngest sister Lesley is only 15.
10. Michael's been sent off twice in his career. Once while playing for England under-18s against Yugoslavia and again against Man Utd at Old Trafford.

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