Fabian Wilnis

He made 40 appearances in all competitions over the course of the season as Ipswich once again finished 3rd in the First Division, qualifying for the play-offs as a result.

Ipswich faced Bolton Wanderers in the play-offs for the second consecutive season.

Wilnis started the first leg of the play-off semi-finals away at the University of Bolton Stadium, with the match ending in a 2–2 draw after Ipswich came back from 0–2 down following a brace from Marcus Stewart.

He did not feature in the semi-final second leg which Ipswich won 5–3, making the aggregate score 7–5 to earn Ipswich a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Wilnis featured as a late substitute during the final, replacing Jermaine Wright in the 89 minute.

Fabian Wilnis (born 23 August 1970) is a Dutch-Surinamese former professional footballer who played as a full-back.

He played for NAC Breda, De Graafschap, Ipswich Town, Grays Athletic and Leiston.

Wilnis started his career with the Sparta Rotterdam academy.

Wilnis began his career in the Sparta Rotterdam academy, joining the club's youth set up in 1985.

After spending six years at Sparta Rotterdam he joined NAC Breda where he spend four years, making over 100 appearances for the club.

After leaving the youth system at Sparta Rotterdam he joined NAC Breda in 1991.

He spent four years at NAC Breda, making over one hundred appearances before joining De Graafschap in 1995.

Wilnis also spent four years at De Graafschap and made over one hundred appearances for the club.

In 1995 he signed for De Graafschap.

He made over 100 appearances for the Dutch club between 1995 and 1999.

Wilnis featured frequently during the remainder of the 1998–99 season as Ipswich finished 3rd in the First Division, losing out to Bolton Wanderers on aggregate over two legs in the First Division play-offs.

In 1999, Wilnis joined English side Ipswich Town.

Wilnis signed for Ipswich Town in January 1999.

The Dutchman joined the Blues from De Graafschap for £200,000, 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.

He made his debut for Ipswich in a 1–0 loss to Grimsby Town on 9 January 1999.

He scored his first goal for the club on 3 April 1999, netting the final goal in a 6–0 win over Swindon Town.

He featured regularly during the 1999–2000 season as Ipswich challenged for promotion to the Premier League.

He made his first appearance of the season on the opening day, featuring as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 home win over Nottingham Forest at Portman Road.

He spent ten years at Ipswich, making over three hundred appearances for the club while also helping Ipswich win promotion to the Premier League in 2000.

Ipswich won the final 4–2, earning promotion to the Premier League for the 2000–01 season.

Wilnis scored a rare and memorable goal against Manchester United in the first home game after Ipswich's return to the top flight on 22 August 2000.

He continued to be a key part of the Ipswich first-team throughout the season.

On 20 November, he scored the winning goal as Ipswich won 1–0 away against Coventry City at Highfield Road.

Ipswich defied expectations to finish 5th in the Premier League, earning a place in the UEFA Cup for the following season.

Wilnis made 37 appearances during the season, scoring twice.

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 manager George Burley after being substituted in the first half of the UEFA Cup tie at Helsingborg late in 2001.

He saw his game time reduced during the 2001–02 season, making 19 appearances in all competitions as Ipswich suffered relegation from the Premier League following an 18th-placed finish.

Former Norwich striker Joe Royle's arrival as manager a year later saw Wilnis get his chance once more.

He was a regular during the season, mainly at right-back whilst also often playing at left-back and latterly at centre-half during the former England striker's tenure as manager.

Wilnis scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win away at Norwich City on 2 March 2003.

He played a key part in Ipswich's league campaign, whilst also featuring in the UEFA Cup.

In total, made 43 appearances during the season, scoring 2 goals.

After leaving Ipswich in 2008, Wilnis joined Grays Athletic where he spent a single season.

He retired from playing professional football at the end of the 2008–09 season.