Kenny Shiels
Encyclopedia
Kenny Shiels is a Northern Irish
former football player and current manager
. He is manager of Scottish Premier League
club Kilmarnock
.
, Coleraine
, Distillery
, Tobermore United again, Larne
, Ballymena United
, Tobermore United for a third time, Harland & Wolff Welders
and Carrick Rangers.
, proved a success at the club, winning the County Antrim Shield
and securing a mid-table finish for the generally struggling seaside club.
Shiels left Carrickfergus
in December 1994 to take charge of Coleraine. The 1994-95 season ended in relegation for Coleraine after the previously unitary Irish League split into a new two division set-up, Coleraine placed in the eight team First Division below the Premier Division). The season was only three games old when Shiels, who had managed the club for only thirteen games in total, was sacked by a group of club directors. Two days later he was asked to return for a single match and then following this the board decided to endorse Shiels' management for the rest of the season. Securely in charge, Shiels led the club to an 8-0 drubbing of Newry Town
in the next match, the second of what proved to be a twenty match unbeaten league run. With his younger brother Sammy Shiels, who had played under Kenny Shiels' management at Carrick, leading the line in scoring 25 league goals, Coleraine won the title, and thus promotion, a full fifteen points ahead of runners-up Ballymena United
. The club would also win the inaugural Irish News Cup
, a competition for Irish League and League of Ireland
clubs in North-West Ireland
, that same season.
The following season began with the Ulster Cup
and Coleraine underlined their credentials by winning this competition. They carried their form into the league, with Shiels' men sitting top of the league after eight matches. The club remained in the hunt for the league title until the end of the season when they were pipped for the honours by Crusaders
. This was to be the high watermark of Shiels' time at Coleraine as the club began to slip back into a more mid-table position, despite some comparatively heavy investment in playing staff. During the 1999-2000 season things came to a head when the club lost consecutive matches to Limavady United
in the Gold Cup
and Linfield
in the league, causing Shiels to tender his resignation. According to the official club website Shiels was manager of Moyola Park
from January 1999 to December 2000, although these dates overlap in part with his time at Coleraine. Nonetheless Shiels was in charge of the club and even signed a youthful Ivan Sproule
for them.
Shiels next appointment was at Ballymena United
, where he was confirmed in the managerial chair on 2 January 2001. The club were battling relegation and ultimately Shiels was unable to prevent the club from dropping down at the end of the season. Shiels responded by making a number of big name signings, including Tommy Wright, Paul Beesley
and Liberian international
Leon Browne, but none of them proved a success and the club finished in fifth place. The club improved significantly in the 2002-03 season, although ultimately they managed only second place in the First Division, as well as the Ulster Cup and the Country Antrim Shield. The league position was enough to ensure promotion, although the club had led the table until near the end when Dungannon Swifts took over at the top. With Nigel Jemson
added to the side Shiels' Braidmen proved a hit in the top flight, finishing sixth and qualifying for the Intertoto Cup. Shiels again signed some big names, bringing in Rory Hamill
, Gary Smyth, Gordon Simms and Tim McCann
but the club failed to make any headway. He was sacked as manager on 4 May 2005.
Alongside his club jobs Shiels was also employed by the Irish Football Association
to manage the Northern Ireland national under-17 football team, a role he retained until 2007 when new senior manager Nigel Worthington
brought in his own men at youth levels. Shiels took charge of Larne
for the 2005-06 season and took the club to two cup semi-finals but his full-time job with the IFA meant that he was unable to fully devote his time to the club and so he stood down at the end of the season.
Shiels joined Tranmere Rovers
in May 2007 as their head of youth. He left Tranmere in June 2010 to become assistant manager at Kilmarnock
. After Mixu Paatelainen
left Kilmarnock to become the head coach of the Finland national football team
, Shiels became caretaker manager. His first game in charge was a goalless draw with St. Johnstone on 2 April 2011. On 15 June 2011 he became manager of Kilmarnock
on a permanent basis.
Sheils helped Kilmarnock achieve their first win over SPL champions Rangers
in 17 years on sunday the 27 November 2011 in a 1-0 victory at Rugby Park, with the goal coming from Manuel Pascali
in the 80th minute.
international player Dean Shiels
. His younger brother Dave was killed during the Troubles
in Northern Ireland. A Protestant civilian, he was killed by the Provisional IRA in Maghera where he was part of a roadworks crew.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
former football player and current manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
. He is manager of Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
.
Player
Shiels spent his entire playing career in Northern Irish football, both in the Irish Football League and at lower levels. Beginning at minor club Bridgend United, he subsequently appeared for Tobermore UnitedTobermore United F.C.
Tobermore United is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1965, is based in Tobermore, near Magherafelt, County Londonderry and currently plays its home matches at Fortwilliam Park. Club colours are red and black...
, Coleraine
Coleraine F.C.
Coleraine F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1927, hails from Coleraine, County Londonderry and plays its home matches at the Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
, Distillery
Lisburn Distillery F.C.
Lisburn Distillery is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1880, originated in west Belfast, where it was based at Grosvenor Park at Distillery Street off the Grosvenor Road until 1971...
, Tobermore United again, Larne
Larne F.C.
Larne F.C. is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Larne and plays its home matches at Inver Park. Club colours are red and white...
, Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
, Tobermore United for a third time, Harland & Wolff Welders
Harland & Wolff Welders F.C.
Harland & Wolff Welders FC are an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1965, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Tillysburn Park. The club was formed by the welders of the nearby Harland & Wolff shipyard.Harland & Wolff Welders...
and Carrick Rangers.
Manager
Sheils third spell at Tobermore United was as player manager and whilst in charge at the club Shiels won the prestigious North West Senior Cup in the 1989-90 season, as well as the North West Intermediate Cup in 1988-89 and 1989-90. Shiels got his first league appointment in 1992 when he took charge of Carrick Rangers, his first Irish League side. "King Kenny", as he became known at Taylors AvenueTaylors Avenue
Taylor's Avenue is a football stadium in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is the home stadium of local football team Carrick Rangers F.C. Taylor's Avenue has a capacity of 6,000. There are two covered stands, with the rest of the ground made up of open terracing. The number of...
, proved a success at the club, winning the County Antrim Shield
County Antrim Shield
The County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
and securing a mid-table finish for the generally struggling seaside club.
Shiels left Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
in December 1994 to take charge of Coleraine. The 1994-95 season ended in relegation for Coleraine after the previously unitary Irish League split into a new two division set-up, Coleraine placed in the eight team First Division below the Premier Division). The season was only three games old when Shiels, who had managed the club for only thirteen games in total, was sacked by a group of club directors. Two days later he was asked to return for a single match and then following this the board decided to endorse Shiels' management for the rest of the season. Securely in charge, Shiels led the club to an 8-0 drubbing of Newry Town
Newry City F.C.
Newry City is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1923, is based in Newry, County Down and plays its home matches at The Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
in the next match, the second of what proved to be a twenty match unbeaten league run. With his younger brother Sammy Shiels, who had played under Kenny Shiels' management at Carrick, leading the line in scoring 25 league goals, Coleraine won the title, and thus promotion, a full fifteen points ahead of runners-up Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
. The club would also win the inaugural Irish News Cup
Irish News Cup
The Irish News Cup was a "north-south" association football competition in Ireland involving teams from the Irish League and League of Ireland mostly located in the north-west of the island. It was sponsored by the Irish News and also referred to as the Irish News North West Cup...
, a competition for Irish League and League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
clubs in North-West Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, that same season.
The following season began with the Ulster Cup
Ulster Cup
The Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs. It was held on fifty-one occasions until being suspended after the 1998/99 season and discontinued after a one-off re-appearance in 2002/03. The last three editions were only open to First...
and Coleraine underlined their credentials by winning this competition. They carried their form into the league, with Shiels' men sitting top of the league after eight matches. The club remained in the hunt for the league title until the end of the season when they were pipped for the honours by Crusaders
Crusaders F.C.
Crusaders Football Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish association football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1898, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Seaview. Club colours are red and black. The current manager is Stephen Baxter, appointed in 2005...
. This was to be the high watermark of Shiels' time at Coleraine as the club began to slip back into a more mid-table position, despite some comparatively heavy investment in playing staff. During the 1999-2000 season things came to a head when the club lost consecutive matches to Limavady United
Limavady United
Limavady United F.C. is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, which comes from Limavady, County Londonderry, was formed in 1884 when Alexander F.C. amalgamated with another local club The Wanderers...
in the Gold Cup
Gold Cup
Gold Cup may refer to:In art and archaeology:* Royal Gold Cup, 14th century French cup in the British Museum* Rillaton Gold Cup, late Neolithic, from Rillaton Barrow in England* Ringlemere Cup, Bronze Age from EnglandIn horse racing:...
and Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
in the league, causing Shiels to tender his resignation. According to the official club website Shiels was manager of Moyola Park
Moyola Park F.C.
Moyola Park Association Football Club is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 2. The club, founded in 1880, hails from Castledawson, near Magherafelt, County Londonderry, and plays its home matches at the Mill Meadow, which has an artificial "3G" surface...
from January 1999 to December 2000, although these dates overlap in part with his time at Coleraine. Nonetheless Shiels was in charge of the club and even signed a youthful Ivan Sproule
Ivan Sproule
Ivan Sproule is a Northern Irish professional association football player. Sproule, a winger who is known for his explosive pace, only turned professional after he signed for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian in January 2005, just a month before his 24th birthday...
for them.
Shiels next appointment was at Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
, where he was confirmed in the managerial chair on 2 January 2001. The club were battling relegation and ultimately Shiels was unable to prevent the club from dropping down at the end of the season. Shiels responded by making a number of big name signings, including Tommy Wright, Paul Beesley
Paul Beesley
Paul Beesley is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Beesley joined Wigan Athletic in 1984, staying for five years and making over 150 league appearances. He joined Leyton Orient for £175,000 on 20 October 1989...
and Liberian international
Liberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
Leon Browne, but none of them proved a success and the club finished in fifth place. The club improved significantly in the 2002-03 season, although ultimately they managed only second place in the First Division, as well as the Ulster Cup and the Country Antrim Shield. The league position was enough to ensure promotion, although the club had led the table until near the end when Dungannon Swifts took over at the top. With Nigel Jemson
Nigel Jemson
Nigel Jemson is an English footballer, who represented his country at the Under-21 level and was the manager of Ilkeston Town, until May 2008...
added to the side Shiels' Braidmen proved a hit in the top flight, finishing sixth and qualifying for the Intertoto Cup. Shiels again signed some big names, bringing in Rory Hamill
Rory Hamill
Rory Hamill is a footballer, who currently plays for Glenavon in Northern Ireland’s IFA Premiership.- Playing career :...
, Gary Smyth, Gordon Simms and Tim McCann
Tim McCann (footballer)
Timothy McCann is a Northern Irish semi-professional footballer, who played on the wing. His career included spells playing for Cliftonville, Glentoran Sligo Rovers and Ballymena. He retired in December 2007 after suffering a broken knee ligament.-Cliftonville:McCann first started playing for...
but the club failed to make any headway. He was sacked as manager on 4 May 2005.
Alongside his club jobs Shiels was also employed by the Irish Football Association
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
to manage the Northern Ireland national under-17 football team, a role he retained until 2007 when new senior manager Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington is a former Northern Ireland international footballer and manager.He was manager of the Northern Ireland national team from 2007 until after their final Euro 2012 qualifying campaign match against Italy in October 2011.As a player, he was a left full back and occasional left...
brought in his own men at youth levels. Shiels took charge of Larne
Larne F.C.
Larne F.C. is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Larne and plays its home matches at Inver Park. Club colours are red and white...
for the 2005-06 season and took the club to two cup semi-finals but his full-time job with the IFA meant that he was unable to fully devote his time to the club and so he stood down at the end of the season.
Shiels joined Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in May 2007 as their head of youth. He left Tranmere in June 2010 to become assistant manager at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
. After Mixu Paatelainen
Mixu Paatelainen
Mika-Matti Petteri "Mixu" Paatelainen is a former Finnish international football player and the current manager of the Finnish national team, having started the role in April 2011...
left Kilmarnock to become the head coach of the Finland national football team
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
, Shiels became caretaker manager. His first game in charge was a goalless draw with St. Johnstone on 2 April 2011. On 15 June 2011 he became manager of Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
on a permanent basis.
Sheils helped Kilmarnock achieve their first win over SPL champions Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in 17 years on sunday the 27 November 2011 in a 1-0 victory at Rugby Park, with the goal coming from Manuel Pascali
Manuel Pascali
Manuel Pascali is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock....
in the 80th minute.
Personal life
Shiels is the father of Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
international player Dean Shiels
Dean Shiels
Dean Andrew Shiels is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League. Shiels is on loan to Kilmarnock from Doncaster Rovers...
. His younger brother Dave was killed during the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in Northern Ireland. A Protestant civilian, he was killed by the Provisional IRA in Maghera where he was part of a roadworks crew.