Keith Leonard
Encyclopedia
Keith Andrew Leonard is an English
former footballer who played for Aston Villa
as a striker. He also played on loan at Port Vale
, and previously played non-league football for Kidderminster Harriers
, Darlaston
, and Highgate United
. He later became a coach, and led the Aston Villa youth players to FA Youth Cup
victory in 1980; he later served Birmingham City
as caretaker manager in 1986.
, after playing non-league football with Highgate United
, Leonard joined Aston Villa
in April 1972. He made a few appearances before breaking
his right leg in two places in a road accident. After recovering from his injuries he spent a few months on loan to Port Vale
to regain fitness. Arriving at Vale Park
in November 1973, he scored once in 13 appearances, his performances persuaded the club to offer Villa £5,000 for his services on a permanent basis. The bid failed and he returned to Villa Park
in February 1974.
On his return he played alongside Brian Little
in their Second Division
promotion campaign and League Cup
victory in 1975
, but a knee injury forced his retirement in 1976 and prompted manager Ron Saunders
to sign Andy Gray from Dundee United
as his replacement.
ing under Saunders at Aston Villa, and led the youth team to victory in the FA Youth Cup
in 1980. When Saunders joined Birmingham City
in 1982, he appointed Leonard as first-team coach.
After Saunders' resignation in 1986 Leonard acted as Birmingham's caretaker manager
for one game before being dismissed. He went on to coach at West Bromwich Albion
before leaving football to work at the Solihull
Land Rover
plant.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer who played for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
as a striker. He also played on loan at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, and previously played non-league football for Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, Darlaston
Darlaston Town F.C.
Darlaston Town F.C. are a football club based in Darlaston, West Midlands, England. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the West Midlands League Premier Division.-History:...
, and Highgate United
Highgate United F.C.
Highgate United F.C. is an English football club based in the Highgate area of Birmingham but currently playing in the Shirley district of Solihull...
. He later became a coach, and led the Aston Villa youth players to FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
victory in 1980; he later served Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
as caretaker manager in 1986.
Playing career
Born in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, after playing non-league football with Highgate United
Highgate United F.C.
Highgate United F.C. is an English football club based in the Highgate area of Birmingham but currently playing in the Shirley district of Solihull...
, Leonard joined Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in April 1972. He made a few appearances before breaking
Bone fracture
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
his right leg in two places in a road accident. After recovering from his injuries he spent a few months on loan to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
to regain fitness. Arriving at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
in November 1973, he scored once in 13 appearances, his performances persuaded the club to offer Villa £5,000 for his services on a permanent basis. The bid failed and he returned to Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
in February 1974.
On his return he played alongside Brian Little
Brian Little (footballer)
Brian Little is an English former football player and manager who is currently without a job after being relieved of his duties as manager of Gainsborough Trinity on 22 August 2011. Little has previously managed Darlington, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City,...
in their Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
promotion campaign and League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
victory in 1975
1975 Football League Cup Final
The 1975 Football League Cup Final took place on 1 March 1975 at the old Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Aston Villa and Norwich City. To date it is the only time a major domestic Cup Final that has been played at Wembley Stadium between two clubs where neither were then currently in...
, but a knee injury forced his retirement in 1976 and prompted manager Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders is a retired English football player and former successful manager. He remains the only manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, normally bitter rivals....
to sign Andy Gray from Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
as his replacement.
Coaching career
Leonard took up coachCoach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
ing under Saunders at Aston Villa, and led the youth team to victory in the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
in 1980. When Saunders joined Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in 1982, he appointed Leonard as first-team coach.
After Saunders' resignation in 1986 Leonard acted as Birmingham's caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
for one game before being dismissed. He went on to coach at West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
before leaving football to work at the Solihull
Solihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
plant.
Honours
- as Aston Villa player
- Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runners-up: 1975 - League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
winners: 19751975 Football League Cup FinalThe 1975 Football League Cup Final took place on 1 March 1975 at the old Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Aston Villa and Norwich City. To date it is the only time a major domestic Cup Final that has been played at Wembley Stadium between two clubs where neither were then currently in...
- Second Division
- as Aston Villa youth team coach
- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winners: 1980
- FA Youth Cup