Fabian Wilnis
Encyclopedia
Fabian Lloyd Wilnis is a retired Dutch
-Suriname
se right-sided defender. He played for NAC Breda
, De Graafschap
, Ipswich Town
and Grays Athletic
.
Wilnis played for NAC Breda
and De Graafschap
before signing for Ipswich in 1999. The Dutchman joined the Blues from De Graafschap for £200,000 in January 1999, replacing Mauricio Taricco
. Wilnis quickly established himself in the side and was a key part of George Burley
's side which won promotion to the Premiership.
Wilnis scored a rare and memorable goal against Manchester United in the first home game after the return to the top flight. After Chris Makin
's recruitment in 2001, Wilnis played fewer games and looked to be on his way out of the club after falling out with Burley after being substituted in the first half of the UEFA Cup
tie at Helsingborg
late in 2001.
Former Norwich striker Joe Royle
's arrival as manager a year later saw Wilnis get his chance once more. He was a regular mainly at right-back but often at left-back and latterly at centre-half during the former England
striker's tenure as manager. Wilnis scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win at Norwich City in 2003. Wilnis became one of the longest-serving players at the club. He was the supporters' Player of the Year for 2005–06
.
Under Jim Magilton
, Wilnis frequently found himself on the sidelines, but signed a new one-year contract in May 2007. The revival of form by Spanish
defender Sito Castro and the strong partnership of Alex Bruce and Jason de Vos, made it hard for Wilnis to break back into the side. After Ipswich's final game of the 2007–08
season, Wilnis announced that he was to retire as a player, but was interested in coaching opportunities at Ipswich, but was told there were no vacancies at Portman Road
, which brought to an end a long association with the club. He was released by the club at the end of the 2007–08
season.
In August 2008, Wilnis signed for Grays Athletic
on a one-year contract. He retired at the end of the 2008–09 season. Wilnis played his last game for Ipswich Town in his Testimonial
game with Colchester United in 2009. A stunning own goal from Colchester defender Magnus Okuonghae
and a strike from Jordan Rhodes
gave the Blues a 2-0 victory. Fabian Wilnis made his final appearance in a Town shirt with 12 minutes left, his every touch applauded by the Blues supporters.After the final whistle Fabian Wilnis thanked and said goodbye to Town fans for the final time at the end of his distinguished 11 years in English football 10 of them with the Blues.
, following Norwich's 3–1 win in a 2004 East Anglia derby match.
In Wilnis' 2009 autobiography, he wrote:
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
-Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
se right-sided defender. He played for NAC Breda
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
, De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
, Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
and Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
.
Career
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
and De Graafschap
De Graafschap
De Graafschap is a professional football club from Doetinchem, Netherlands. It was formed on 1 February 1954 and they play their home games at the "De Vijverberg" stadium. Their current home ground stands on where the old pitch used to be located and was opened on 12 August 2000...
before signing for Ipswich in 1999. The Dutchman joined the Blues from De Graafschap for £200,000 in January 1999, replacing Mauricio Taricco
Mauricio Taricco
Mauricio Ricardo Taricco is an Argentinian professional footballer and football coach who is currently assistant manager to Gus Poyet at Football League Championship team Brighton & Hove Albion. Taricco notably played Premier League football for Tottenham Hotspur, having also appeared for...
. Wilnis quickly established himself in the side and was a key part of George Burley
George Burley
George Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player and manager, formerly the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club. Burley had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps...
's side which won promotion to the Premiership.
Wilnis scored a rare and memorable goal against Manchester United in the first home game after the return to the top flight. After Chris Makin
Chris Makin
Christopher Gregory Makin is an English professional footballer currently playing for Radcliffe Borough. He spent the final part of his career at Southampton, but is perhaps most famous for his spell at Sunderland...
's recruitment in 2001, Wilnis played fewer games and looked to be on his way out of the club after falling out with Burley after being substituted in the first half of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
tie at Helsingborg
Helsingborg
Helsingborg is a city and the seat of Helsingborg Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 97,122 inhabitants in 2010. Helsingborg is the centre of an area in the Øresund region of about 320,000 inhabitants in north-west Scania, and is Sweden's closest point to Denmark, with the Danish city...
late in 2001.
Former Norwich striker Joe Royle
Joe Royle
Joseph "Joe" Royle is an English football manager. In his club career, he played for Everton , Manchester City, Bristol City, Norwich City, and the England national team...
's arrival as manager a year later saw Wilnis get his chance once more. He was a regular mainly at right-back but often at left-back and latterly at centre-half during the former England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
striker's tenure as manager. Wilnis scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win at Norwich City in 2003. Wilnis became one of the longest-serving players at the club. He was the supporters' Player of the Year for 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
.
Under Jim Magilton
Jim Magilton
James "Jim" Magilton is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager, who is currently employed as Football Consultant at Shamrock Rovers F.C. after being appointed on 6 July 2011....
, Wilnis frequently found himself on the sidelines, but signed a new one-year contract in May 2007. The revival of form by Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
defender Sito Castro and the strong partnership of Alex Bruce and Jason de Vos, made it hard for Wilnis to break back into the side. After Ipswich's final game of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season, Wilnis announced that he was to retire as a player, but was interested in coaching opportunities at Ipswich, but was told there were no vacancies at Portman Road
Portman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
, which brought to an end a long association with the club. He was released by the club at the end of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season.
In August 2008, Wilnis signed for Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
on a one-year contract. He retired at the end of the 2008–09 season. Wilnis played his last game for Ipswich Town in his Testimonial
Testimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
game with Colchester United in 2009. A stunning own goal from Colchester defender Magnus Okuonghae
Magnus Okuonghae
Magnus Erharuyi Okuonghae is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Colchester United as a defender. He did his secondary schooling at Southfields Community College in South London where he also played for the school football team...
and a strike from Jordan Rhodes
Jordan Rhodes
Jordan Luke Rhodes is an English-born Scottish international footballer who plays for Huddersfield Town in Football League One as a striker. He spent most of his his early childhood living in Scotland where his father was playing as a professional footballer...
gave the Blues a 2-0 victory. Fabian Wilnis made his final appearance in a Town shirt with 12 minutes left, his every touch applauded by the Blues supporters.After the final whistle Fabian Wilnis thanked and said goodbye to Town fans for the final time at the end of his distinguished 11 years in English football 10 of them with the Blues.
Death threats
Wilnis made a publicised "angry rant" against Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, following Norwich's 3–1 win in a 2004 East Anglia derby match.
[Wilnis] said Norwich weren't good enough to top the table, wouldn't survive in the Premier League and unless they signed 15 new players they'd be relegated by Christmas - much to the fury of City followers.
In Wilnis' 2009 autobiography, he wrote:
"I got letters saying I was a dead man and threatening to break my arms and legs if I ever set foot in Norwich. At the time, it was really frightening ... I upset and offended some of their fans and for that I really am sorry. I think the dust has settled now, though. I've only been back there for football ... and won't risk doing anything else, especially if I'm with my family."
External links
- Fabian Wilnis player profile at itfc.co.uk