Position: Left Wing
DoB: 21st September 1967
Birthplace: Burton-on-Trent
City Career
Transfer Details: Signed for City in May 1998 on a free transfer
having trained with the club for several months following his
sacking from Hednesford.
City Debut: vs. Cambridge City (a) DMLPD, 22nd August 1998, Drew
1-1.
1998/9: 49(2) Apps, 10 Goals
Totals: 49(2) Apps, 10 Goals
Previous Clubs: Burton Albion, Rocester, Northwich
Victoria, Wycombe Wanderers(50(21)-13), Macclesfield Town,
Hednesford Town, Gloucester City, Ilkeston Town, Chester City, Carlisle United,
Ilkeston Town, Tamworth, Ilkeston Town, Alfreton Town
Honours: England Semi-Pro Cap, 1996 FA Trophy Winner,
Mid-Cheshire Cup Winner 1989/90
Pen Pic:
An experienced and pacey winger who
came to City having been thrown out of Hednesford after a falling
out with manager John Baldwin whom he pithily called a "fat
bastard". Played several times for City reserves in Spring
1998 but was unable to play for the firsts as the Pitmen refused
to terminate his contract and City could not afford the asking
price. Finally signed for City in May 1998, honouring a
'pre-contractual agreement' with Rosenior despite interest from
several Conference sides.
Was a devastating player when at his best, with his pace and trickery causing
DML defences all sorts of problems. Won several crucial penalties for City over
the season, and often kept going in difficult conditions and heavy pitches when
so many other 'flash' wingers pack up. Hit
a rich strain of form in October 1998, including a hatrick away at Chertsey in
the Trophy.
Seemed to be more effective on the wing
after a spell as a forward exposed a tendency to put his head
down and often fail to see passing opportunities. Despite
this occasional frustrating lack of vision he provided that extra
special bit of class that City so desperately need in the last third, displaying the talent that
persuaded Wycombe to give him a taste of League football
when they paid Northwich £35,000 for him a few seasons ago.
Survived a conviction for wife-beating, but left the club under a cloud
following a bust-up with then Chairman Rob Thomas, meaning City at the very least missed out on a fee for a marketable asset. Hemmo then re-surfaced with
Ilkeston Town, and went on to make a somewhat unlikely return to the Football League with a
1999 £30,000 move to Chester City, and then repeated the trick when they fell
into the Conference by heading for Carlisle United.
