Kevin Kyle
Kyle playing for Hearts in 2010
Personal information
Full name Kevin Alastair Kyle[1]
Date of birth (1981-06-07) 7 June 1981
Place of birth Stranraer, Scotland
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–1998 Ayr United
1998–2000 Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2006 Sunderland 91 (17)
2000 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 4 (1)
2000–2001 → Darlington (loan) 5 (1)
2001 → Rochdale (loan) 6 (0)
2006–2009 Coventry City 44 (5)
2008 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 12 (1)
2008 → Hartlepool United (loan) 15 (5)
2009–2010 Kilmarnock 43 (16)
2010–2012 Heart of Midlothian 19 (7)
2012–2013 Rangers 8 (3)
2013–2014 Ayr United 24 (5)
Total 274 (63)
International career
2003 Scotland under−21 14 (6)
2002–2010 Scotland 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:48, 25 March 2016 (UTC)

Kevin Alastair Kyle (born 7 June 1981) is a Scottish retired footballer and media personality who played as a centre forward. He played for eleven senior clubs in his career. Kyle gained ten full Scotland international caps and scored one goal.

After starting as a youngster at Ayr United, Kyle began his professional career with Sunderland, where he had been in the youth team. He remained at the Stadium of Light for six years, making 91 appearances in the Football League, scoring 17 goals. He also made his debut for both the Scotland under−21s and its senior team during his time in the North East, as well as gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2004–05. In 2006, he moved to Coventry City, for whom he made 44 league appearances and scored five goals. In 2009, Kyle signed for Kilmarnock, marking his professional debut in his homeland. After a year in East Ayrshire, during which he scored 16 goals, he signed for Hearts in 2010. In two years at Tynecastle, Kyle scored seven goals in his 19 league appearances. In 2012, Kyle joined Rangers, where he made eight league appearances and scored three goals, and won the Third Division title as the club began its climb back to top tier. He finished his career back at Ayr United in 2013, aged 32, and retired the following year.

Early life

Kyle was born and grew up in Stranraer, Scotland[2] where as well as playing for his school team and local amateur sides he was selected to play for Dumfries and Galloway region. Also in the same Dumfries and Galloway team was fellow Stranraer boy Allan Jenkins.

Playing career

Sunderland

Kyle began his career as a youth at Ayr United before joining Sunderland in 1998,[3] where he was a prolific scorer for their reserves. However, he was unable to force his way into a first team that boasted the striking talent of Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn. Instead, he gained first team experience on loan with Huddersfield, Darlington and Rochdale.[4] It was on loan at Darlington that Kyle scored his first career goals, notching against Sudbury in the FA Cup and Mansfield Town in the league.[5][6]

After finally breaking into the Sunderland first team in the 2003–04 season he ended up as their joint top goalscorer with 16 goals to help them to the play-offs.[7] However, he missed most of the following season owing to a hip injury and his recovery was aided by visits to Bayern Munich doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt and American hip surgeon Marc Phillipon.[8][9][10] He returned to first team action in February 2006, scoring his first and only Premier League goal in March 2006, away to Manchester City,[11] in a season that saw Sunderland relegated on a then-record low points tally.

Coventry City

Kyle then joined Coventry City on 25 August 2006 for £600,000,[12] but only went on to score three goals during the campaign. He scored just two more. Out of favour with the Sky Blues and despised by their fans,[13] he traded a relegation battle with Coventry for a promotion push with a loan to fellow Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers during the latter half of the 2007–08 season,[14] reuniting him with his former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy. He made 13 appearances, nine as substitute, scoring once against Crystal Palace.[15] While Wolves finished seventh, outside the play-offs, his move was not made permanent as Kyle said he would rather return to Coventry, who finished a point clear of the relegation positions in 21st, in the summer. After failing to feature at all during the opening stages of the next season for his parent club, he joined Hartlepool United on a month's loan on 1 October 2008.[16] The loan was later extended until the end of the year,[17] and Kyle scored five goals in 15 starts.[18]

Kilmarnock

On 27 January 2009, Coventry announced that they had reached an agreement with Kyle over the remaining six months of his contract, and he had left the club by mutual consent.[19] Two days later, he signed for Kilmarnock on an 18-month contract.[20] On 31 January 2009 he scored a headed goal on his debut for Kilmarnock against St Mirren and this goal was also the first at the new St Mirren Park.[21] On 11 April he scored all three goals, his first ever professional hat-trick, in a 3–0 victory against Falkirk for which he received a standing ovation when he was substituted.[22] Kyle was praised for his part in keeping Killie in the SPL that season.[23] In the games following the 2008–2009 season Scottish Premier League split, Kyle scored all of Kilmarnock's goals in a draw with Falkirk and victories against St Mirren and Inverness Caledonian Thistle thus helping the team secure 8th place and SPL survival. He scored eight goals in total that season.[18]

Kyle was made Kilmarnock club captain for the 2009–10 season.[24] He started where he left off by scoring twice in the opening day 3–0 home victory over Hamilton and his good form won him a recall to the Scotland squad after an absence of five years.[25] In the Scottish League Cup game against Morton (in which he also scored) he suffered a knee injury, sidelining him for three weeks and causing him to miss the final two World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and the Netherlands on 5 and 10 September 2009. In January 2010, he relinquished the club captaincy following his involvement in the events that ultimately led to the departure of manager Jim Jefferies.[26][27]

Kyle became unhappy at Kilmarnock and went on trial with Russian side PFC Spartak Nalchik with a view to join them at the end of the season when his current deal expired but rejected a move.[28] Whilst playing in a trial match there he picked up an injury,[29] angering manager Calderwood as he missed key games for the club.[30]

Hearts

Kyle signed a two-year contract with Hearts on 3 June 2010, which reunited him with Jim Jefferies,[31] making his debut on 14 August 2010 against St Johnstone as a 66th-minute substitute.[32] His first goal for the club came the following week against Hamilton in Hearts 4–0 win.[33] He took over taking penalty kicks at the club and scored six goals out of six from the spot,[34] plus another four from open play, in the 2010–11 season. He scored a late winner in the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on 1 January 2011.[35] The remainder of his 2010–11 season was blighted by a hip injury, as Kyle made his last appearance of the season on 11 January.[36][37] The injury continued to trouble Kyle in the 2011–12 season.[38] After several setbacks Kyle admitted that he feared this could be the end of his footballing career.[39] Kyle underwent a further operation on his hip in January 2012,[40] but was released from his contract in March 2012.[41]

Rangers

Kyle was initially invited back to train with Hearts during the 2012–13 pre-season[42] however this fell through following the departure of manager Paulo Sérgio. He began training with Dunfermline[43] and featured for them as a trialist during their pre-season friendlies.[44] He then joined St Johnstone on trial.[45] After revealing he would be open to a move to Rangers,[46] Kyle accepted an invite to take part in one of their training sessions.[47] On 7 August 2012, Kyle signed a one-year contract with Rangers.[48] Kyle made his Rangers debut on the same day as signing as a substitute at home to East Fife in the League Cup first round.[49] On 16 March 2013, Kyle left the club by mutual consent.[50]

Ayr United

Kyle started training with Ayr in late August 2013, and soon began playing in reserve games. He made his debut, although as a trialist, after being subbed on in a 1–1 draw at Stenhousemuir.[51] Kyle played one more game before finally signing a contract, which was held up due to financial constraints, that lasted until January 2014.[52]

International career

Kyle has represented Scotland at under-21,[53] and at full international level making ten appearances scoring once, against a Hong Kong League XI during the HKSAR Reunification Cup in May 2002.[54] His last call up was for a friendly against the Faroe Islands in November 2010.[55]

Career statistics

Club

As of 15 March 2014[56][57]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Sunderland 2000–01 300000000030
2001–02 601010000080
2002–03 17030210000221
2003–04 4612512300005316
2004–05 600011000071
2005–06 13110000000141
2006–07 200000000020
Huddersfield Town 2000–01 400000000040
Darlington 2000–01 513100000082
Rochdale 2000–01 600000000060
Coventry 2006–07 31320000000333
2007–08 13200100000142
Wolves 2007–08 12110000000131
Hartlepool 2008–09 15500000000155
Kilmarnock 2008–09 11810000000128
2009–10 328202200003610
Hearts 2010–11 197102300002210
2011–12 000000000000
Rangers 2012–13 8300200010113
Ayr United 2013–14 24530000000275
Total 273 54 23 3 13 10 0 0 1 0 310 68

International

Scotland national team
YearAppsGoals
200271
200310
200410
200910
Total101

International goals

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
123 May 2002Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Hong Kong1–04–0HKSAR Reunification Cup

Honours

Sunderland
Rangers
Individual
  • North East Football Award – young player of the year: 2004

Darts

Kevin entered the BDO Scottish Open darts tournament in 2016, reaching the last 256. He beat Lakeside semi-finalist Richard Veenstra, who was ninth seed in the tournament, on the way.[58]

Personal life

Kyle is married to Lynn,[59] with whom he has four sons.[60] His brother-in-law is fellow Stanraer native Jamie Adams.[60][61]

After retiring, Kyle worked in the Shetland Islands for two years, doing 18-day stints of 12-hour shifts as a room-keeper on the MS Regina Baltica cruiseferry. "Life was pretty shit," he said. At a Clyde F.C. training camp, he met Simon Ferry, who asked him if he'd like to come on his Keeping the Ball on the Ground podcast.[62]

Media career

In 2018, Kyle was interviewed by Simon Ferry on the YouTube channel Open Goal.[63] "I did the interview and I thought, 'This could be quite good.' I don't know how to filter things and just say things how it is."[62] After returning to the channel for a few appearances, Kyle became a permanent fixture on the channel, regularly featuring on the channel's podcast with Ferry and Paul Slane, as well as Andy Halliday later on.[64] The show has gained a large cult following, and Open Goal was awarded 'Best Podcast' at the 2019 Football Blogging Awards.[65]

References

  1. ↑ "Kevin Kyle". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "Stranraer-born Kyle called for Scotland". The Galloway Gazette. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Kyle Hearts Profile". Heart of Midlothian F.C. Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Burley puts his faith in Kevin Kyle as man to make striking impact". The Times. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Darlington 6–1 AFC Sudbury". BBC Sport. 18 November 2000. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "Darlington 2–1 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 2 December 2000. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Games played by Kevin Kyle in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  8. ↑ "KEVIN KYLE FEARED FOR CAREER". Sporting Life. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Kyle in dramatic search for fitness". The Northern Echo. 12 August 2005. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2006.
  10. ↑ "My season is over admits toiling Shola". Evening Chronicle. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  11. ↑ "Samaras' quick double piles more pain on blunder-prone Sunderland". The Guardian. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "Sky Blues sign Scotland's Kyle". BBC Sport. 25 August 2006.
  13. ↑ "Kevin Kyle's plea to Wolves' fans: Give me some support". Coventry Telegraph. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "Wolves Sign Kyle". Birmingham Mail. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Crystal Palace 0–2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  16. ↑ "Kyle completes Pools loan switch". BBC Sport. 1 October 2008.
  17. ↑ "Danny bids to extend Kyle loan". Hartlepool Mail. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  18. 1 2 "Games played by Kevin Kyle in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  19. ↑ "Kyle cancels contract". Coventry City FC. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012.
  20. ↑ "Kilmarnock sign up striker Kyle". BBC Sport. 29 January 2009.
  21. ↑ "St Mirren 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  22. ↑ "Kilmarnock 3–0 Falkirk". BBC Sport. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Skipper Hay hails goal machine Kyle for saving Killie and pleads for him to stay at Rugby Park". Free Library. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  24. ↑ "Kevin Kyle is new Kilmarnock skipper due to his influence on the pitch, says Jim Jefferies". Daily Record. Scotland. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "Kilmarnock 3 – 0 Hamilton". BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "Kyles Quits as Killie Captain". Daily Record. 24 January 2010.
  27. ↑ "Kevin Kyle: 'I decided to leave as soon as I was called a liar by the chairman'". The Herald. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  28. ↑ "Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle rejects Russian switch". Daily Record. Scotland. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "Kilmarnock striker Kevin Kyle rules out Russian move". BBC Sport. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  30. ↑ "Kilmarnock boss unhappy with Kevin Kyle's Russian trial". BBC Sport. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  31. ↑ "Kevin Kyle to Join Hearts". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press.
  32. ↑ "Hearts 1 – 1 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  33. ↑ "Hamilton 0 – 4 Hearts". BBC Sport. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  34. ↑ "Jamie Hamill sure Hearts will be spot-on at Ibrox". The Scotsman. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  35. ↑ "King Kyle Wins Derby For Hearts". Sporting Life.
  36. ↑ "Hearts hope injections will stop surgery". Daily Record. Scotland. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  37. ↑ "Hearts' Kevin Kyle is pre-season doubt after operation". BBC Sport. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  38. ↑ "Hearts striker Kevin Kyle faces further surgery worry". BBC Sport. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  39. ↑ "Kevin Kyle unsure over future in football". Scottish Television. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  40. ↑ "Hearts striker Kevin Kyle hopes surgery will save career". BBC Sport. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  41. ↑ "Hearts part company with striker Kevin Kyle". BBC Sport. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  42. ↑ "Ex-Scotland striker Kevin Kyle: I trust Alex MacQueen to save my career after hip hell". Daily Record. Glasgow. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  43. ↑ "Kevin Kyle prepares to kick-start career at Dunfermline". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  44. ↑ "Hearts dump Dunfermline 2–0 at East End Park". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  45. ↑ "Kevin Kyle trains with St Johnstone as Steve Lomas waits on budget". BBC. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  46. ↑ "Kevin Kyle open to Rangers move if he fails to win St Johnstone deal". STV Sport. STV. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  47. ↑ "Kyle Trains With Gers". tv.rangers.co.uk. Rangers F.C. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  48. ↑ "Rangers sign Kevin Kyle, Francisco Sandaza and Emilson Cribari". The Daily Telegraph. London. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  49. ↑ "Rangers 4–0 East Fife". BBC Sport. 7 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  50. ↑ Ts & Cs. "Kevin Kyle Leaves Gers – Rangers Football Club, Official Website". Rangers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  51. ↑ "Stenhousemuir vs Ayr United – September 14, 2013 – Ayr United Football Club". Ayrunitedfc.co.uk. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  52. ↑ "Kyle Signs Up". Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  53. ↑ "Kevin Kyle Under 21 Squad". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  54. ↑ "Kevin Kyle A Squad". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  55. ↑ "Kyle call up and Zal deal boost Hearts". The Scotsman. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  56. ↑ "Kevin Kyle Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  57. ↑ "Kevin Kyle Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  58. ↑ MacCartney, Aidan (16 February 2016). "Former Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle finding the target as a darts player". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  59. ↑ "Kevin Kyle opens up on 'knife to heart' article on life after football, Open Goal and changing fans' perception" – Glasgow Evening Times, 4 August 2020
  60. 1 2 Warburton, Dan (17 July 2014). "Former £10k-a-week Scotland and Rangers star Kevin Kyle works 12-hour shifts as storeman on ferry to provide for his family". Daily Record.
  61. ↑ Rinaldi, David (14 November 2010). "SPL: St Johnstone 0 Hearts 2". Daily Record.
  62. 1 2 "The Road To The Hydro: The Behind-The-Scenes Open Goal Documentary" – Open Goal, YouTube, 10 December 2021
  63. ↑ "Si Ferry Meets... Kevin Kyle – Sunderland Days, Scotland, Killie, Hearts and Rangers". 30 July 2018. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  64. ↑ "Open Goal – YouTube". Retrieved 13 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  65. ↑ Lewis, Harriet (2019). "The 2019 Winners – Football Blogging Awards". footballcontentawards.com. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
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