Kevin Hill (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Hill is a professional footballer, who plays for Tiverton Town
. He primarily plays in midfield, but has also featured in defence and up front.
and was playing for non-league side Torrington
, and working in a local supermarket, when Kevin Hodges
signed him for Torquay United in August 1997. He made his league debut on 9 August 1997 in a 2–1 defeat away to Macclesfield Town
, Macclesfield's first game as a league side after promotion from the Conference
.
He quickly became a regular in the side and remained so under a number of different managers. In the 2000–01 season, he was Torquay's leading goalscorer, including a crucial goal in the last game of the season away to Barnet
, which saw Barnet relegated to the Conference
and Torquay surviving. The circle was turned when he was a regular in the 2003–04 promotion winning side under Leroy Rosenior
. In February 2006 he played his 400th game for Torquay against Bury
in a 0–0 draw.
Hill was awarded a testimonial in 2007, culminating in a match with local rivals Plymouth Argyle
at Plainmoor
and his loyalty to the club led to him being sent a letter by FIFA
president Sepp Blatter
. He struggled to establish himself under new manager Paul Buckle
and in February 2008 was linked with a loan move to Dorchester Town
, but chose to stay with Torquay.
On 5 May 2008, Hill made his record equalling 473rd appearance for Torquay United
in a play-off semi final defeat (1–4 on the day 3–5 on aggregate) at home to local rivals Exeter City
. He marked the occasion by scoring Torquay's goal. He beat the appearance record, previously held by Dennis Lewis
, on 10 May 2008 by coming on as a late substitute for Tim Sills
in the FA Trophy
final between Torquay and Ebbsfleet United, a game which Ebbsfleet won 1-0, thanks to a goal from former Torquay forward Chris McPhee.
On 17 June 2008, Hill signed for Conference South
side Dorchester Town
, on a two-year deal.
On 8 September 2010, it was confirmed Hill signed for Tiverton Town
who beat interest from Weymouth
to land the 34-year-old midfielder.
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
. He primarily plays in midfield, but has also featured in defence and up front.
Career
Hill was born in ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and was playing for non-league side Torrington
Torrington F.C.
Torrington F.C. are a football club based in Great Torrington, Devon, England.Torrington's home shirt is green with white hoops, which is worn with white shorts and green and green socks with white hoops. Their away shirt is yellow with blue stripes down the arms, which is worn with blue shorts and...
, and working in a local supermarket, when Kevin Hodges
Kevin Hodges
Kevin Hodges is a retired English footballer and manager who played as a midfielder, and now works as a coach. He spent the majority of his playing career with Plymouth Argyle of the Football League, where he is the club's all-time appearance record holder...
signed him for Torquay United in August 1997. He made his league debut on 9 August 1997 in a 2–1 defeat away to Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
, Macclesfield's first game as a league side after promotion from the Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
.
He quickly became a regular in the side and remained so under a number of different managers. In the 2000–01 season, he was Torquay's leading goalscorer, including a crucial goal in the last game of the season away to Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, which saw Barnet relegated to the Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
and Torquay surviving. The circle was turned when he was a regular in the 2003–04 promotion winning side under Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior is a professional football coach and pundit. He is a former professional footballer whose clubs included Fulham, Queens Park Rangers , Bristol City and West Ham United.As one of the few black football managers in England, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism...
. In February 2006 he played his 400th game for Torquay against Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
in a 0–0 draw.
Hill was awarded a testimonial in 2007, culminating in a match with local rivals Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
at Plainmoor
Plainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
and his loyalty to the club led to him being sent a letter by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
president Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
. He struggled to establish himself under new manager Paul Buckle
Paul Buckle
Paul John Buckle is an English professional footballer and football club manager. He is currently manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Career:...
and in February 2008 was linked with a loan move to Dorchester Town
Dorchester Town F.C.
Dorchester Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club, based in Dorchester, Dorset, England, and currently playing in the Blue Square Bet South...
, but chose to stay with Torquay.
On 5 May 2008, Hill made his record equalling 473rd appearance for Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in a play-off semi final defeat (1–4 on the day 3–5 on aggregate) at home to local rivals Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. He marked the occasion by scoring Torquay's goal. He beat the appearance record, previously held by Dennis Lewis
Dennis Lewis (footballer)
Dennis Lewis is a Welsh former footballer who played for Torquay United for twelve years, racking up 442 appearances in the Football League...
, on 10 May 2008 by coming on as a late substitute for Tim Sills
Tim Sills
Timothy "Tim" Sills is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Basingstoke Town.Sills was a product of Millwall's youth system and was a regular in the club's youth team up until he left in 1997...
in the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
final between Torquay and Ebbsfleet United, a game which Ebbsfleet won 1-0, thanks to a goal from former Torquay forward Chris McPhee.
On 17 June 2008, Hill signed for Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Dorchester Town
Dorchester Town F.C.
Dorchester Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club, based in Dorchester, Dorset, England, and currently playing in the Blue Square Bet South...
, on a two-year deal.
On 8 September 2010, it was confirmed Hill signed for Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
who beat interest from Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
to land the 34-year-old midfielder.
All time playing career
| Season | Team | Division | League Apps | League Goals | Cup*Apps | Cup Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-98 | Torquay United | 3 | 37 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1998-99 | Torquay United | 3 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 1999-2000 | Torquay United | 3 | 43 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2000-01 | Torquay United | 3 | 44 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 2001-02 | Torquay United | 3 | 44 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2002-03 | Torquay United | 3 | 39 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003-04 | Torquay United | 3 | 45 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004-05 | Torquay United | 2 | 39 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005-06 | Torquay United | 3 | 42 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006-07 | Torquay United | 3 | 36 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007-08 | Torquay United | Conference National | 13 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
- Includes Play-Off Matches