|
An experienced Australian midfielder, recruited by El Tel primarily
for cover just before the start of 2002-03. After starting his career
in Australia with Marconi Fairfield and although he spent 10 years
playing for some decent teams around Europe, he was never a regular
starter for any of them. After joining Boro, he played at centre back,
taking a key role in digging them out of the relegation pit in 2000-01
and obviously impressed Terry Venables at the time.
After taking a few months to recover from injury and regain match
fitness, he's looked to be a solid midfielder, doing a lot of the
defensive work - if a bit suspect for pace. As the 2002-03 season wore
on, he was finding himself caught out of position and lacking in pace
far too often - although he was by no means the only Leeds player to
be guilty of those offences. When Peter Reid took over from Venables,
Okon was frozen out as Reid made a bunch of changes to try to keep Leeds
in the top flight.
Okon's prospects for 2003-04 don't look too good: he's been told by
Socceroos manager Frank Farina that he needs to be playing first team
football to be considered for the national side, but he played with
the reserves in the pre-season games and was released to Vicenza in
Serie B in Italy before the transfer deadline. He lasted five months
in Italy before a deadline-day move to KV Oostende in the 2nd Division
in Belgium.
Matt says: Paul is a superb working midfielder. He has a very
accurate passing game and moves into space extremely well. he looks
for incisive passes, but very rarely forces them, and keeps possession
and momentum in the midfield nicely. He is a strong defender in
midfield, and some watchers think he is a better sweeper than
midfielder. Also, he is the current Australian captain and has been
level-headed and reliable in that role.
Norman Bates says: I went to school with Paul Okon, he was in my
commerce class, we went to Fairfield Pats high school. We used to muck
around a lot at school, Paul played tennis as well as soccer at
school. He is a good friend, but I have not seen him since 1988, it
would be good to say hello sometime to him, only if I can contact him
at the club he is playing for.
Naz! says: I think that Paul Okon is totally HOT!!!! I would go out
with him any day!
Naz says: Hi it's me again! my mates think that i am MAD for
likeing Paul Okon! Is it just me that fancies him or does anyone else
out there like him? Does anyone know if he is married or has a
girlfriend?
Naz!!! says: Am i really the only one that likes Paul, oh well at
least i don't have to share him with thousands of other adoring fan's!
Yeah i no somethimes he can be a bit of a psyko on the pitch and not
no wot he is doin, but he is a quality player, and i think he rocks
and is one of the best palyers Leeds have had for a long time! I LUV
YA PAUL! (p.s. i even named one of the goldfish in our science lab at
skool after him!!!)
Mike F says: Is it just me or is he a poor mans David Batty ? Why
play him when we have the real thing kicking his heels with the
reserves ?
trap says: i think paul is agreat player that does a lot of work in
the background nothing flashy but very reliable and does the simple
things very well ,he is agreat asset to the team
Jason King says: My gaffer says he is the worst Leeds player he has
seen, cant pass, head or even move.
MattD says: The position that Paul is playing for Leeds is a key
position but does not really enable him to gain the plaudits. His job
is to clean up the mess and pass the ball to teammates in space. I
would like him to back himself more and show what he really can do for
Leeds. He is playing well for Leeds, doing the role asked by El Tel,
but Leeds may be under-utilising his attacking talents (IMO). I agree
with Trap in that alot of his good work goes unnoticed.
Matthew Bauer says: Paul Okon is the worst player that I've seen in
a Leeds shirt since Gary Hamson. Does he actually do anything on the
pitch? He doesn't pass, he doesn't tackle, he doesn't move forwards at
all.......although he does do a good impression of Jamairoquai's
dancing ....an even bigger waste of space than Barmby, who is also
invisible for 90 mins. Why are Batty and Johnson rotting away while
this rubbish gets in the 1st team?
Naz! says: Why are you dissin Paul, not only is he a great player,
but he is gorgeous too, so he can't be all bad. I don't see you dissin
the really pants players like Dom "own goal" Matteo so think before
you diss!!!!
Me says: Hey who u calling Dom "own goal" Matteo?! He's my man!
Naz! says: Well, maybe i think that Dom "Own Goal" Matteo is a
complete MINGER!!!! Paul Okon is WAY better lookin than him! Any way
at least he dosen't help the other team WIN!!! so shut up alright?
Cube says: I think Paul 'the joke' Okon is up there as one of the
worst players ever to grace our beloved Yorkshire Club!!! I agree
100% with the other ppl critising him ...im sure he does something but
What??? Sign Back Olii anyday.....I luv my club and these type of
players are making leeds united look like a 2nd div side!!! Oh by the
way why the hell did we ever sell hasselbaink ??? instead weve got
Viduka .... i think that sums up our club at the moment!!!
Aniekeme Andrew Etokimo says: I got to read about him sometime last
year.I will like to know much about his genealogy - who his parents
are and where they are from.(Don't you get me wrong here. I ain't no
racist. Ok!) His name sounds very African. Can I have his contacts;
like email? 'Am writing from Lagos - Nigeria
Adi says: Okon is a prime example of what is wrong with our
midfield at the moment. When we've got the ball, there's no width,
there's no flair and nobody gets beyond the strikers. When we lose
it, we don't close down to win it back. Okon is the worst, he just
stands around and waits for the ball to come to him.
Naz says: Will you STOP being so out of order about Paul please. He
is a really nice guy, and he plays football really well, yeah, i know
he does have his bad moments, but dosen't every footballer? So please
can you just Stop with the nastiness? THANKYOU!
Nosedive says: Paul's dad is German, his mum is Italian and he's
from Australia, so he's a multinational kinda person. I think he is
one of the most underrated players at the club, and will be hugely
important in stabilising the team as we rebuild. Anyone who captained
Lazio must have something special about them!
wuchun30@hotmail.com says: This Team Sux Now!!!! I luv Leeds but
the way they play its more suited to Div 1 than the premiership much
to defensive orientated .... but we seem to concede goals anyways how
ironic , Sadly we have now the WORST MIDFIELD in the league with the
exception of smith who really is a striker...funny how we where in the
champions league 3 years ago and finished in the semis we may have had
the best midfield in England....... this OKON twit is ruining our side
and if you gals think hes so Hot try to convince him to model instead
of playing this game for men!!!! Hes gotta be in the top10 Worst
players for Leeds!!!!
Patrick says: Goodbye Paul Okon. Okoff.
MattD says: I am sick of this ill-informed attacks on Paul Okon. He
has played solid all year and coped an unfair smorgasboard of
criticism. I know he is suited more to continental football where
tactics and developing the play are at the forefront, not booting the
football forward like the english love to do. I will be happy to see
him move on to another club where he is appreciated. Leeds have had a
disaster of late due to many factors - a back four who struggle to
hold position, backs playing in the midfield /wings and the crown
jewel of Leeds - Harry been injured for the past month. Blaming the
current situation on Paulo is way off base.
dogman says: you poms just can't hack being beaten by the
aussies. if hes so bad, why is he captaining a country that beat
you.
Big Dave says: good point mate
Vinnie says: Those of you who criticise Okon, you'd better get a
brain transplant.
Mercury says: I'm a fc bruges supporter and what can i say about
paul okon? He was the greatest central defender that we have ever
known.Got the golden boot( the greatest individual award for a player
in belgium) for his season performance in 96. This guy is a top class
player where i'm sure he will get his best level back if he doesnt get
injured (like in his italian periode) and plays a lot of game. Great
personality on and off the pich also. No wonder he has been playing
for lazio. Please don't doubt about this guy! It's a great transfer
and u'll soon enjoy his magnificent talent.
Bernie says: For all you w****rs out there who think Okon is
s***. You have no idea about the game Just because he doesn't score
goals and kick the s*** out of players like david Batty doesn't mean
he can't play It just means he is much more smarter and let his
ballwork do the talking I've seen him play so many times and he is
class just because he is not a typical pommy midfielder like Vinny
Jones. He style of play is very similar to the A.C milan midfield star
Redondo If you tossers know who he is!!
Vinnie says: RE: "Just because he doesn't score goals and kick the
s*** out of players like david Batty" well, mr okon actually captained
a team that did kick the s**t out of the england national team. Btw,
not bagging the England team - just stating a fact!!!!
Bridget says: excuse me... paul okon is the captain of the
Australian Socceroos!! you don't get to be the captain of a national
team by being a sh*t player!! would you guys let just anyone captain
the england team?? i didn't think so, they need to be able to have
superior playing skills ASWELL as a successful leadership style. paul
okon is the australian captain because he is able to pass the length
of the field with deadly accuracy AND make killer (but clean) tackles
AND is a great leader because he is able to read the play and organise
his team fantstically :P so hah! you should be STOKED to have him at
leeds!!
"peter reid" says: Please get rid of him......sell him to an oz
club well even pay for his move and wages ...mmm... 500 a week! Hey
vinnie one more thing that was a "friendly" haha and i know redondo
...hes a hasbeen!
Sean Young says: Not many people realise the quiet job that Paul
Okon does in the midfield. Sure, he wont score you goals and rack up a
shitload of assists, but he will organise the defence, start plays off
and inspire the team. Claude Makelele does a similar job for Real
Madrid and no-one slags him off
Adele says: Paul is a great player and he has played the game for
many years .even though i am his cousin i still feel that he still has
a lot more to offer to the game.
Kim H says: Hi kim harte here, i really dont think Paul deserves
all the stick he is getting, nobody becomes Captain of an
international side without having the skill and Ability to produce
good football give him a break, and open your eyes to the world around
you! I dont see the rest of you doing as well as he has done, and
nobody can take that from him! Best of luck Paul.....
b-lo says: Hey Naz...well you seems to like Paul very
much...hahaha...I can understand you...cause I know him for about 8
years or more now...I used to live in Europe and we used to love
eachother, yes it's true...for a moment but circonstances in life kind
of forced us to take different ways in life...but we still talk...Paul
is a good football player and a lovely friend to have...
SJ says: Hey S.j here... I really don't think people's comments
should be dissin someone that has made it to the standards he has
reached now... I ain't disagreeing with your comments towards him, but
really us people cannot talk much about how good or how bad he plays
his sport. As a NSW Squad and NSW institute trialer, Paul Okon is
talked about all around the NSW soccer Federation...For us to say bad
comments to him is not write as many of you should understand... He
has trained, daily, for most of the weeks and months in a year, to
reach the high level he has come to.. Marconi Stallions, honour a man
like him... they cherish every moment he has played for them, so for
me, i agree that he is one of the best Australian players...
spacemaster says: I can't believe how Leeds think they are smart by
replacing Terry with Reid whom every team he managed is going down to
division 1. We'll see what happen to Leed Utd defence and midfield
without Okon this season. I am not suprised if we will not see Leed
next season at premierleague. GOOD LUCK to all Leed fans!
Naz! says: Cool! you really went out with Paul! I really like him!
In my view Paul is a brilliant player, and i don't care if everyone
else thinks he's rubbish! Oh yeah, and he's 100% gorgeous! You are so
lucky b-lo!
b-lo says: Oooooo yes Naz I did go out with Paul...and believe me
it was not a peace of cake...I'll go soon visit him in Italy. About
his origins, he is not african...or so...he is part german and part
italian...was born in Sydney...Keep on supporting him...
Stephanie says: Hi everybody! I'm new. I would have to say Paul
does have three different types of nationality (Australian, German,
Italian). I think people shoul try to let him have a shot at
scoring. I am even doing an assignment on him!!!
spacemaster says: Hey! Whoever critised P.Okon. Now look at
Leed+Batty without Paul. from the day that Reid replaces Paul for
Batty (to please the fans), he has no idea of what he going to
get. take a look at Leeds performance with Paul Onkon and Leed now.
Sometime One can see things (will happen) but others don't.
Kelso says: Okon is a brilliant passer of the football. He may not
have that attacking flair that we all love to watch, but he is a hard
player who organises the midfield extremely well. Australian soccer
could not be in better hands.
Karel de Vriese says: Paul Okon started his carreer in Europe for
the Belgian champions: Club Brugge, I saw him playing there weekly and
he played mostly outstanding and got the "golden shoe"(player of the
year in Belgium) Than he moved to Lazio Roma where he was elected by
the fans as "best player of the team" but unfortunately after these
periiod he was (to) often enjured
Ross says: I have nothing personal against paul but i dont like the
way he plays & i think david batty is far better in the
ancorman/def mid position than him. Okon goes out & is invisible
for 90 mins wheras batty gives 110% the entire game & gets in the
thick of the action winning balls & tackles. I think terry
greaseball venebles was wrong to replace batts with him & i
believe there are far better australian internationals than him
ie. viduka who should be captain.
spacemaster says: Check the league table now with batty, and when
Paul was there. Not supprise when the new Leed manager told batty to
go off.
PaulisaGod says: The Paul Okon story i would like to clarify his
current playing predicament.. he left Leeds for Vicenza who are in
'serie C' no success there couldn't snatch a single game for the 2nd
11....subsequently due to the extreme pressures of 'serie C' he then
decided to move abroad to Belgium well renowned for??? Errrrr anyway
he tryed his luck in division 4 in belgiuim for Antwerp 2nd 11 squad,
good luck mate things are looking up if u continue to think
optimisticly and incorporate ur divine agility and ur sublime tackling
style into ur play this prodigal talent could get regular games for
the div 4 2nd 11 antwerp team, the incentive of course is it will give
him the opportunity to captain the hookeyroos again.
Jason says: Karel de vriese nice one mate are u a close friend of
Paul? Actually some of ur comments are erroneous, yes he did in his
prime win the infamous " Golden Shoe " but that was due to his quirky
ability to run laterally for the majority of a game he also had the
freakish ability to spin 360 degrees in the middle of the pitch and
pass the ball back to his keeper or make a another enthralling lateral
run...the Belgium ppl couldn't get enough of this crowd
pleaser... Best player in Lazio??? weren't Hernen Crespo andjuan veron
there? Yes he did recieve a prestigious reward in Rome it was " Player
who was most absent from Seria A " yep Paul has come from Obscurity to
play for the current euro powerhouses this current day ...antwerpia
4th division 2nd 11
Marconi Chick says: My cousin went out with Paul's brother Klaus
for a long time! Paul was always so popular with the girls. He was
soooooooo good looking and he knew it! The girls at Fairfield Station
used to die over him! Another thing I remember about Paul - his house
was the only house with a green roof!
B. Contreras says: Since Paul came to play Belgium again (2004/, i
see him a alot, he became one my friends... I think he's a great
guy... He' s playing very well at Ostend (2de devision). And yes,
he's still very popular by the girls...
deborah says: hi , i am an ostendfan and i see paul every day of
the week , he is a great player en the funniest person i've ever met ,
he is amazing , en he's really really hot !! i even danced with paul
on a table at a party, he was drunk , but it was really fun. i hope he
plays another year with us , if he goes , i'm really gonna miss
him.
Ste says: I HATE Paul Okon and everything he stands for
|
