Kevin Kent
Encyclopedia
Kevin Joseph Kent is a retired English
professional football winger, now working as a football coach.
Starting his career at West Bromwich Albion
in 1983, he began playing regular football with Newport County
the following year. He then made his name playing for Mansfield Town
over a six year period from 1985 to 1991. He then transferred to Port Vale
, where he finished his career following a five year spell. Over a thirteen year professional career he played 455 games, scoring 53 goals.
, and later played for Newport County
before joining Mansfield Town
in 1985. At Mansfield, he was a regular for almost six seasons, and wrote his name in the club's history books on 24 May 1987
, when he became the first (and to date, the only) player in Mansfield's history to score at Wembley
when the Stags won the Freight Rover Trophy
. In 1986–87 he scored ten goals in 57 games, and in 1987–88 he scored fifteen goals in 58 games. In total, Kent played 276 first-team games for the Stags, and scored 47 goals.
In March 1991, Kent joined Port Vale
in exchange for Gary Ford
and £80,000. At Vale he was a member of the sides that won the TNT Tournament in 1992, the Football League Trophy
in 1993
and gained promotion during the 1993–94
Second Division
campaign. However, injuries soon brought Kent's career to a halt; he fractured his hand in October 1994 and his kneecap the following February and was hospitalized in May 1995 with a back injury, this final injury brought about his early retirement at the end of the 1995–96 season
. On his retirement he became a coaching assistant at Vale.
, Kent began working as a coach at the club's Centre of Excellence from 1993 to 1996 and 2004 to 2006 under Mark Grew
, Brian Horton
and Martin Foyle
. Before this he gained experience at Mansfield Town
's Centre of Excellence under Ian Greaves
. From 2005 to 2007 he worked at Stoke City
's academy, before beginning a short coaching stint at Manchester United
after obtaining his UEFA A Licence. Between 2009 and 2011 he worked as the Indonesian Football Association's
National Academy Director. He also worked as a manager at Barclays Bank Sports Facilities and Events department between 1997 and 2009.
with Port Vale
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...
professional football winger, now working as a football coach.
Starting his career 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...
in 1983, he began playing regular football with Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
the following year. He then made his name playing for Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
over a six year period from 1985 to 1991. He then transferred 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...
, where he finished his career following a five year spell. Over a thirteen year professional career he played 455 games, scoring 53 goals.
Playing career
Kent began his career at West Bromwich AlbionWest 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...
, and later played for Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
before joining Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in 1985. At Mansfield, he was a regular for almost six seasons, and wrote his name in the club's history books on 24 May 1987
1987 Football League Trophy Final
The 1987 Football League Trophy Final, known as the Freight Rover Trophy for sponsorship reasons, was the 4th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Third Division and Fourth Division. The final was played at Wembley Stadium, London on 24 May 1987, and was contested by...
, when he became the first (and to date, the only) player in Mansfield's history to score at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
when the Stags won the Freight Rover Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
. In 1986–87 he scored ten goals in 57 games, and in 1987–88 he scored fifteen goals in 58 games. In total, Kent played 276 first-team games for the Stags, and scored 47 goals.
In March 1991, Kent joined 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...
in exchange for Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Gary Ford is an English former footballer. He played on the right-wing.-Playing career:Ford started playing with small York based team, Leeman United and then turned professional with York City at 18-years-of-age in February 1979. He stayed at the club for the next eight years, racking up 435...
and £80,000. At Vale he was a member of the sides that won the TNT Tournament in 1992, the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
in 1993
1993 Football League Trophy Final
The 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and...
and gained promotion during the 1993–94
1993–94 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
Second Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
campaign. However, injuries soon brought Kent's career to a halt; he fractured his hand in October 1994 and his kneecap the following February and was hospitalized in May 1995 with a back injury, this final injury brought about his early retirement at the end of the 1995–96 season
1995–96 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1995–96 season was Port Vale's eighty-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the First Division. Despite a poor start to the season, John Rudge led his side to a twelfth place finish. The league highlights were two derby wins over Stoke City, had these...
. On his retirement he became a coaching assistant at Vale.
Coaching career
Whilst at his final club, Port ValePort 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...
, Kent began working as a coach at the club's Centre of Excellence from 1993 to 1996 and 2004 to 2006 under Mark Grew
Mark Grew
Mark Stuart Grew is an English former football goalkeeper, now assistant manager to Micky Adams at Port Vale. On three occasions he has also served as the club's caretaker-manager, most recently from March to May in 2011....
, Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
and Martin Foyle
Martin Foyle
Martin John Foyle is an English former footballer, turned football manager. In his 20 year playing career he played 533 League games, scoring 155 goals...
. Before this he gained experience at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
's Centre of Excellence under Ian Greaves
Ian Greaves
Ian Denzil Greaves was an English football player and manager. He was born in Crompton, Lancashire. He won a League Championship medal and an FA Cup runners-up medal while playing fullback for Manchester United between 1953 and 1960...
. From 2005 to 2007 he worked at Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
's academy, before beginning a short coaching stint at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
after obtaining his UEFA A Licence. Between 2009 and 2011 he worked as the Indonesian Football Association's
Football Association of Indonesia
The Football Association of Indonesia or PSSI is the governing body of football in Indonesia. It was founded on April 19, 1930, 15 years before Indonesian independence...
National Academy Director. He also worked as a manager at Barclays Bank Sports Facilities and Events department between 1997 and 2009.
Honours
with Mansfield Town- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 19871987 Football League Trophy FinalThe 1987 Football League Trophy Final, known as the Freight Rover Trophy for sponsorship reasons, was the 4th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from the Third Division and Fourth Division. The final was played at Wembley Stadium, London on 24 May 1987, and was contested by... - Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promotion: 1985–86
with Port Vale
- TNT Tournament winner: 1992
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 19931993 Football League Trophy FinalThe 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and... - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
runner-up: 1993–941993–94 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
External links
- Coaching profile at the Indonesia Football Academy website