Kieran McAnespie
Encyclopedia
Kieran Liam McAnespie is a Scottish footballer who plays for Arbroath
.
, making his first team debut at Clydebank
on 4 February 1997. He made one further appearance that season as Saints won promotion to the Premier Division. Remarkably he scored on both occasions. He went on to make 50 league appearances for the Saints, notably scoring in wins against both Celtic
and Rangers
in the 1998–99 season.
In 1998, McAnespie was one of four younger players asked to accompany the Scottish national side
to the 1998 FIFA World Cup
to gain experience. He was already a member of the Scotland U-21
side and Craig Brown's idea was designed to ease the transition of younger players into the full national side. McAnespie, however, would never gain a full international call-up.
in 2000, for a reported £80,000. Considered an investment for the future, he managed only 2 League Cup
appearances during his 3 years with the London side. This period was punctuated by brief loan spells with Hearts
and Bournemouth
. He was released in early 2003 and turned out 4 times for Paul Sturrock
's Plymouth Argyle
at the end of the 2002–03 season
before returning to Scotland with Falkirk
.
in January 2006. He rejected Ayr's offer to re-sign in the summer and instead joined Alloa Athletic
.
On 21 June 2007, McAnespie was sold by Alloa to Greenock Morton
for a five figure fee (rumoured to be £11,750).
In the summer of 2008, McAnespie went on trial at , where he scored against but was unsuccessful in getting a move to the Chairboys, and remained with Morton for a further season. This included a loan spell at near neighbours Third Division
side Dumbarton
, until the end of the season. Sadly for McAnespie, he injured himself again after only one game for Dumbarton so spent most of his time at the Rock
on the sidelines.
McAnespie was released after the end of the 2008–2009 season, as confirmed by Davie Irons
on the 8 May in the Greenock Telegraph
.
working as a cameraman on satellite program Babestation
, but returned to Scotland once again to sign for junior outfit Bellshill
, citing his love for football, and desire to be with his girlfriend and young son.
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
.
St. Johnstone
McAnespie graduated from the youth ranks at St JohnstoneSt Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
, making his first team debut at Clydebank
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
on 4 February 1997. He made one further appearance that season as Saints won promotion to the Premier Division. Remarkably he scored on both occasions. He went on to make 50 league appearances for the Saints, notably scoring in wins against both Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and 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 the 1998–99 season.
In 1998, McAnespie was one of four younger players asked to accompany the Scottish national side
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
to the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
to gain experience. He was already a member of the Scotland U-21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
side and Craig Brown's idea was designed to ease the transition of younger players into the full national side. McAnespie, however, would never gain a full international call-up.
Fulham
McAnespie joined FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in 2000, for a reported £80,000. Considered an investment for the future, he managed only 2 League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
appearances during his 3 years with the London side. This period was punctuated by brief loan spells with Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
and Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
. He was released in early 2003 and turned out 4 times for Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
's 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 the end of the 2002–03 season
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
before returning to Scotland with Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
.
Return to St. Johnstone and lower leagues
Having returned to Scottish football, McAnespie spent several short, injury-disrupted spells with lower division clubs. He left Falkirk in October 2004 to return to St. Johnstone before joining Ayr UnitedAyr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
in January 2006. He rejected Ayr's offer to re-sign in the summer and instead joined Alloa Athletic
Alloa Athletic F.C.
Alloa Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division....
.
On 21 June 2007, McAnespie was sold by Alloa to Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
for a five figure fee (rumoured to be £11,750).
In the summer of 2008, McAnespie went on trial at , where he scored against but was unsuccessful in getting a move to the Chairboys, and remained with Morton for a further season. This included a loan spell at near neighbours Third Division
Scottish 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....
side Dumbarton
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
, until the end of the season. Sadly for McAnespie, he injured himself again after only one game for Dumbarton so spent most of his time at the Rock
Strathclyde Homes Stadium
Strathclyde Homes Stadium is a stadium in Dumbarton, Scotland situated right below the famous Dumbarton Rock. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Dumbarton F.C. The stadium has a capacity of just over 2000, and was built in 2000 after the move away from...
on the sidelines.
McAnespie was released after the end of the 2008–2009 season, as confirmed by Davie Irons
Davie Irons
David John "Davie" Irons is a Scottish former professional footballer who has transitioned to football management.His playing career spanned 26 years as a central defender or midfielder...
on the 8 May in the Greenock Telegraph
Greenock Telegraph
The Greenock Telegraph is a local daily newspaper serving Inverclyde, Scotland.Founded in 1857, it was the first halfpenny daily newspaper in Britain. It was for a time Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette, owing to the massive amount of maritime traffic moving in and out of Greenock's...
.
Amateur Football
McAnespie signed for local club Milngavie Wanderers AFC for a few months between September 2009 and December 2009.Junior Football
McAnespie briefly pursued non-footballing employment in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
working as a cameraman on satellite program Babestation
Babestation
Babestation is a British soft porn TV programme aired since 2002. The first and most well-known show of its kind in the UK, it allows viewers to communicate live with female presenters via a premium-rate telephone number or text messaging...
, but returned to Scotland once again to sign for junior outfit Bellshill
Bellshill Athletic F.C.
Bellshill Athletic Football Club is a Scottish football club, historically based in the town of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, though currently groundsharing with fellow Junior club Vale of Clyde in Glasgow...
, citing his love for football, and desire to be with his girlfriend and young son.
Return to senior football
McAnespie's time with Bellshill was short, with Arbroath picking him up on a one year contract for the 2010/11 season.External links
- Appearances at londonhearts.com
- Profile at honestpage.co.uk