Emmerson Boyce, whose native country is Barbados, was born on September 24, 1979 in Aylesbury, England. He attended the Quarrendon Upper School and when he was around 10, he started playing for the Aylesbury United football club (F.C). He had problems taking up the sport, because his parents, Lucille and Melville, wanted him to concentrate on schoolwork and did not want him to go out in the weekdays. As his father was a cricket enthusiast, there was confusion in making a choice between cricket and football. But, when Emmerson Boyce was 12, Steve Greenhalf, the manager of Aylesbury United, took him to the Luton School of Excellence regularly and developed his interest towards football.
Despite of the fact that he was born in England, his parents who were born in Barbados made him eligible to play for the Barbados national football team. When Emmerson Boyce was 28, he received his first international call for the national team on March 20, 2008. He was passionate about playing international football and was looking forward to represent his country. Emmerson Boyce made his first appearance for the national team on March 26, 2008 in a 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup qualifier match against Dominica. The Barbados national team had a 1-0 win, which helped the team move to the second round of qualifiers tournament.
Emmerson Boyce started his career in football by joining the Luton Town F.C in 1998. In his six year contract with the club, he played 185 matches and netted 8 goals. After the end of the contract with the Luton Town F.C, he had a short trial with the Crystal Palace F.C, following which he joined the club in July 2004 on a free transfer. At Crystal Palace, Emmerson Boyce proved his proficiency in football and went on to become an established right-back defender in the first team. His popularity with Crystal Palace fans earned him the highest number of votes for the ‘Player of the Year’ award in 2006. In his stint with the club, he has made 69 appearances and scored a goal.
Emmerson Boyce signed a four-year deal with Wigan Athletic on August 1, 2006 and made his debut for the club in August 19, 2006 in a league match against the Newcastle United Football club.
Emmerson Boyce enjoys playing football with his mates and aspires to play in the Premiership. He advises football aspirants to listen to their coaches and managers and be open to learning. He also adds that they should follow their dream as well as maintain a perfect balance between studies and the sport.
