Kevin Moon
Encyclopedia
Kevin John Moon is a Scottish
football
midfielder
, currently playing for St. Johnstone after progressing through the club's youth ranks.
on 8 June 1987.
Kevin was a bright talent, and played for local boys' club team Bankfoot
Boys' Club, playing two age groups above himself, lining up alongside his older brother Stephen. However, as the team progressed, so did Kevin so he moved to Fife
boys' club Fossoway.
Kevin was a pupil of Luncarty
Primary School and Perth Grammar School
.
to give Kevin his first professional contract in the summer of 2004. Other players given deals that summer included Andy Jackson and Neil McCallum. Out of that successful side, only Moon and Jackson remain at St. Johnstone.
Moon made his professional debut in a Scottish League Challenge Cup
tie against Raith Rovers at McDiarmid Park
during the 2005–06 season. He came on as a substitute after 60 minutes, and was impressive and the side went on to win 5–1. Having been a St. Johnstone fan all his life and being well known as the "local hero" by many of the clubs fans, Kevin gained the nickname "Mooner" and a chant was introduced, and he is widely known as a fans favorite. Despite injuries ruining his second season, Kevin managed to make one more appearance from the bench during the 2005–06 campaign.
The 2006–007 season saw Moon in a difficult situation, where he was too old to play for the under 19s, but not yet regarded as a first team player, and for that reason manager Owen Coyle
sent Kevin on loan to Forfar Athletic
, originally for 6 months, however the loan was extended on 31 December 2006 to run through until the end of the season.
After a successful loan period at Forfar, Coyle rewarded Kevin with a new one year contract. The start of the 2007–08 campaign wasn't great for Moon, after a couple of niggling injuries he never managed to force himself into recognition for a first team spot. However, his big break came when manager Owen Coyle
, and his assistant Sandy Stewart, left St. Johnstone to join English Football League Championship side Burnley
, and Moon's team mate Derek McInnes
was appointed as player/manager until the end of the season. Upon being appointed as manager, McInnes revealed to the local press that he was a big admirer of Moon's talents, and showed this by giving him his first league start away to Clyde
at Broadwood Stadium
on 29 December 2007, where Kevin capped off a man of the match performance with a late goal. St. Johnstone won 3–1. He scored his second goal for the club after coming off the bench against Stirling Albion
at McDiarmid Park
in January 2008, his goal meant that St. Johnstone won the game 2–1. Moon made 7 starts, and 14 appearances from the bench during the campaign, scoring three times.
McInnes gave Moon a new one year deal in May 2008, with the view to an extension if he impressed during the 2008–09 campaign and in the January, Moon penned a new contract with the club that will tie him to Saints until May 2011. So far he's made a numerous appearances, a few starts but mostly off the bench. Moon started a game at East End Park
against Dunfermline Athletic in November 2008, where after 20 minutes, Stephen Glass
made a late tackle on Moon in which he studded Kevin's diaphragm
. This caused Moon to stop breathing, and lose consciousness. He was rushed to hospital, but regained consciousness before he left the ground. After this small setback, Moon started again at Dens Park
against rivals Dundee
also in November. Moon played an integral part in St. Johnstone's promotion to the SPL
, particularly whilst Jody Morris
was out of the side injured.
Moon started off his SPL season in good form, and scored his first top flight goal with a late equaliser against Dundee United at Tannadice. However, in March 2010 in a midweek clash with Aberdeen, Moon was badly injured in a clash with midfielder Mark Kerr
, and was stretchered off having played a massive part in St. Johnstone victory by then. At first, it was reported that Moon had damaged his medial ligament and would be back within 4–6 weeks, however, following further scans it was discovered that Moon had torn his cruciate ligament and would be out for 6–9 months.
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, currently playing for St. Johnstone after progressing through the club's youth ranks.
Biography
Kevin was born in Perth Royal InfirmaryPerth Royal Infirmary
Perth Royal Infirmary is a district hospital in Perth. The Royal Infirmary, administered by NHS Tayside, caters for both the city and wider Perth & Kinross area, with a population around 182 000, being served by the hospital.-History:...
on 8 June 1987.
Kevin was a bright talent, and played for local boys' club team Bankfoot
Bankfoot
Bankfoot is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, approximately eight miles north of Perth and seven miles south of Dunkeld. Bankfoot had a population of 1,136 in 2001.-Education:...
Boys' Club, playing two age groups above himself, lining up alongside his older brother Stephen. However, as the team progressed, so did Kevin so he moved to Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
boys' club Fossoway.
Kevin was a pupil of Luncarty
Luncarty
Luncarty is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, approximately four miles north of Perth. It lies between the A9 to the west, and the River Tay to the east.-History:...
Primary School and Perth Grammar School
Perth Grammar School
Perth Grammar School is a secondary school in Perth, Scotland. It is located in the Muirton district of Perth at the junction of Bute Drive and Gowans Terrace...
.
St. Johnstone (2004–present)
Kevin had played at youth level for St. Johnstone and was a big part of the very successful under 17's side in the 2003/2004 season, and that prompted then manager John ConnollyJohn Connolly (Scottish footballer)
John Connolly is a Scottish former internationalist association footballer who later worked as a football manager.Connolly played for St. Johnstone of Perth, Everton, Birmingham City, Newcastle United, Hibernian, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans during an 18-year playing career. He earned one full...
to give Kevin his first professional contract in the summer of 2004. Other players given deals that summer included Andy Jackson and Neil McCallum. Out of that successful side, only Moon and Jackson remain at St. Johnstone.
Moon made his professional debut in a Scottish League Challenge Cup
Scottish League Challenge Cup
The Scottish Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Scottish Challenge Cup, is a knockout football cup competition organised by the Scottish Football League. Entry is open to the 30 member clubs of the Scottish Football League and from 2011 the two highest ranked clubs of the Highland...
tie against Raith Rovers at McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
during the 2005–06 season. He came on as a substitute after 60 minutes, and was impressive and the side went on to win 5–1. Having been a St. Johnstone fan all his life and being well known as the "local hero" by many of the clubs fans, Kevin gained the nickname "Mooner" and a chant was introduced, and he is widely known as a fans favorite. Despite injuries ruining his second season, Kevin managed to make one more appearance from the bench during the 2005–06 campaign.
The 2006–007 season saw Moon in a difficult situation, where he was too old to play for the under 19s, but not yet regarded as a first team player, and for that reason manager Owen Coyle
Owen Coyle
Owen Columba Coyle is a Scottish-born Irish international former professional player and professional association football manager . He is currently the manager of Bolton Wanderers....
sent Kevin on loan to Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
, originally for 6 months, however the loan was extended on 31 December 2006 to run through until the end of the season.
After a successful loan period at Forfar, Coyle rewarded Kevin with a new one year contract. The start of the 2007–08 campaign wasn't great for Moon, after a couple of niggling injuries he never managed to force himself into recognition for a first team spot. However, his big break came when manager Owen Coyle
Owen Coyle
Owen Columba Coyle is a Scottish-born Irish international former professional player and professional association football manager . He is currently the manager of Bolton Wanderers....
, and his assistant Sandy Stewart, left St. Johnstone to join English Football League Championship side Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, and Moon's team mate Derek McInnes
Derek McInnes
Derek John McInnes is a former Scottish football player and current manager of Bristol City. McInnes featured prominently for Greenock Morton, Rangers, West Bromwich Albion and Dundee United during his playing career. He won two caps for the Scotland national football team while with West...
was appointed as player/manager until the end of the season. Upon being appointed as manager, McInnes revealed to the local press that he was a big admirer of Moon's talents, and showed this by giving him his first league start away to Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
at Broadwood Stadium
Broadwood Stadium
Broadwood Stadium, also referred to as simply Broadwood, is a football stadium and multi-use community sports complex situated in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium was opened in 1994 and since then has been the home venue of Scottish Third Division side, Clyde F.C....
on 29 December 2007, where Kevin capped off a man of the match performance with a late goal. St. Johnstone won 3–1. He scored his second goal for the club after coming off the bench against Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
at McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
in January 2008, his goal meant that St. Johnstone won the game 2–1. Moon made 7 starts, and 14 appearances from the bench during the campaign, scoring three times.
McInnes gave Moon a new one year deal in May 2008, with the view to an extension if he impressed during the 2008–09 campaign and in the January, Moon penned a new contract with the club that will tie him to Saints until May 2011. So far he's made a numerous appearances, a few starts but mostly off the bench. Moon started a game at East End Park
East End Park
East End Park is a football stadium situated in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland with a seating capacity of 11,380.The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League side, Dunfermline Athletic F.C. It currently comprises four stands: East Stand, Main Stand, SGM Stand and the Norrie...
against Dunfermline Athletic in November 2008, where after 20 minutes, Stephen Glass
Stephen Glass (footballer)
Stephen Glass is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League....
made a late tackle on Moon in which he studded Kevin's diaphragm
Thoracic diaphragm
In the anatomy of mammals, the thoracic diaphragm, or simply the diaphragm , is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle that extends across the bottom of the rib cage. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and performs an important function in respiration...
. This caused Moon to stop breathing, and lose consciousness. He was rushed to hospital, but regained consciousness before he left the ground. After this small setback, Moon started again at Dens Park
Dens Park
Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085...
against rivals Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
also in November. Moon played an integral part in St. Johnstone's promotion to the SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, particularly whilst Jody Morris
Jody Morris
Jody Morris is an English football midfielder. He plays for Scottish club St. Johnstone. He has previously played for Chelsea, Leeds United, Rotherham United and Millwall.-Playing career:...
was out of the side injured.
Moon started off his SPL season in good form, and scored his first top flight goal with a late equaliser against Dundee United at Tannadice. However, in March 2010 in a midweek clash with Aberdeen, Moon was badly injured in a clash with midfielder Mark Kerr
Mark Kerr (footballer)
Mark Kerr is a Scottish professional football player who currently plays for Greek club Asteras Tripolis.-Falkirk:Kerr began his career with Falkirk, where he played from 1998 until 2003...
, and was stretchered off having played a massive part in St. Johnstone victory by then. At first, it was reported that Moon had damaged his medial ligament and would be back within 4–6 weeks, however, following further scans it was discovered that Moon had torn his cruciate ligament and would be out for 6–9 months.
Forfar Athletic (2006–2007)
Moon went to Forfar on 31 August 2006 originally the deal was until 31 December 2006, however it was extended until 15 May 2007. Moon made 25 appearances for Forfar Athletic, 23 starts and 2 sub-on appearances, netting twice. He was voted Players' Player of the Year and Fans' Player of the Year at the end of season awards, and despite being a great success, Moon couldn't prevent them from being relegated to the Scottish Football League Third DivisionScottish Football League Third Division
The Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
.