Sydney FC vice-captain Brett Emerton, of Harrington Park, hangs up the boots

MACARTHUR football icon Brett Emerton has called an end to one of Australia's most successful careers.

Emo retires

THE Macarthur region's most successful football export today called an end to a 20-year career that began in Macquarie Fields.

Socceroos legend Brett Emerton, of Harrington Park, announced his retirement from football at a Sydney FC press conference.

The 34-year-old midfielder retired as the third-most capped Socceroo (95 appearances) behind Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill.

Raised in Macquarie Fields, Emerton began his career for Gunners SC before progressing to the Macarthur Rams representative sides.

Macarthur Rams under-12s players Shannon Fielding, Anthony Proia, Ryan Harvey and Josh Banks with Brett Emerton in 2006. Picture: ROBERT POZO.

Emerton was nurtured at the Australian Institute of Sport and played for Sydney Olympic in the National Soccer League, before Dutch club Feyenoord signed him in 2000.

Brett Emerton, 17, at Sydney UTS Olympic. Picture: Graham Hely.

There he won the UEFA Cup in 2002 and was picked up by English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers in 2003.

"Emmo" clocked 247 appearances with Blackburn, scoring 20 goals and, usually, when they most needed it - the most famous being the goal he scored to hold Manchester United to a 1-1 draw and keep the club out of relegation.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Brett Emerton of Blackburn on the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium on April 2, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

On the international level, Emerton starred at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, although his late sending off against Croatia meant that he was suspended for the heart-breaking loss to Italy in the knock-out stages.

He also represented the Socceroos with distinction at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Emerton returned home in 2011, settling into Harrington Park with his wife Sarah and was vice-captain of Sydney FC, for whom he scored seven goals.

He said it was an honour to have forged a 20-year career in the sport.

"It was an absolute honour to represent my country and to be able to do it for 15 years and play in two World Cups is really special," he said.

"Playing for the Socceroos is an honour and a privilege and I enjoyed every single match I played for the national team.

"The memories I have from wearing the green and gold are something I will cherish forever.

"I have been fortunate enough to share in some very special moments with the Socceroos but it is hard to go past the win over Uruguay to qualify for the World Cup in 2005. It was a memorable night for me as a football player but the joy it brought to all Australians and the football community was amazing.

"I've had a fantastic career and I was incredibly fortunate to play professional football for 18 years but I know now is the right time to call it a day and I hope to be able to stay in the game moving forward and continue to contribute to Australian football."

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive David Gallop praised Emerton's stellar career.

"Brett is the quintessential Australian football success story, from the suburban fields of Western Sydney to the FIFA World Cup," he said.

"At every stage, from youth national teams to the Olympic Games, the English Premier League and back to the Hyundai A-League, Brett lived the dream with integrity and supreme dedication.

"His playing career will serve an inspirational story for every boy and girl with ambitions to play football at the highest level.

"On behalf of Football Federation Australia and the football community I'd like to congratulate Brett on a memorable career and thank him for his enormous contribution to the game in this country."