Kevin Thornton
Personal information
Full name Kevin Anthony Thornton[1]
Date of birth (1986-07-09) 9 July 1986
Place of birth Drogheda, Ireland
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Belvedere
Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2009 Coventry City 50 (2)
2008 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 12 (0)
2009 Coventry Sphinx 2 (1)
2009 Boyne Rovers 12 (1)
2009–2010 Nuneaton Town 0 (0)
2010–2011 Northampton Town 38 (7)
2011–2012 Nuneaton Town 2 (0)
2013–2014 Wrexham 19 (3)
2014 → Tamworth (loan) 12 (3)
2014–2015 Tamworth 28 (2)
2015 Barwell 8 (1)
2015–2016 Rugby Town 29 (17)
2016–2017 Coventry United 27 (7)
2017–2019 Hinckley AFC
2019 RC Warwick 6 (1)
2020– Coventry United
International career
000–000 Republic of Ireland U21
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:15, 24 December 2017 (UTC)

Kevin Anthony Thornton (born 9 July 1986, in Drogheda) is a retired Irish footballer who played as a midfielder. He started his career at Coventry City, and has played for the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion and Coventry Sphinx

Playing career

Coventry City

A promising midfielder and product of the Sky Blues' Academy, Thornton was given a squad number for the first time in the 2005–06 season, following a productive pre-season in which he was included on the trips to Ibiza and his native Ireland. He made his debut on 20 September 2005, in a League Cup 1–0 defeat at Selhurst Park, replacing Isaac Osbourne on 83 minutes. He made sixteen Championship appearances later in the season, putting in a string of impressive displays in March and April. A fans' favourite due to his exciting style of play, Thornton scored his first goal for the club on 26 August 2006 against Hull City, but an ankle injury marred what seemed destined to be a successful season,[2] limiting him to just 13 appearances. The Irishman penned a new two-year extension to his contract in May 2007, keeping him at the club until summer 2010.[3] In 2007–08 he was limited to twenty appearances and continued to be used mainly as a substitute. He had a good run at the end of the season under new manager Chris Coleman.[4]

Brighton & Hove Albion (Loan)

In September 2008, Thornton signed a six-week loan deal at League One team Brighton & Hove Albion.[5][6] Following a six-week extension on the loan, he had played fifteen games for the Seagulls before returning to the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry Sphinx

After leaving Coventry City on 2 July 2009, Thornton joined Coventry Sphinx of the Midland Football Alliance and made two appearances and scored once in a short spell.

Boyne Rovers

On 1 September 2009, Thornton re-signed with his former school boy club Boyne Rovers FC. Boyne Rovers senior side operate in the fifth Tier of Irish amateur soccer. Convinced by legendary Rovers manager Declan Kierans that his time there would be a stepping stone to bigger things Thornton played 12 times for Rovers and scored the winning goal in a 4–3 win over bitter local rivals Drogheda Town.

Nuneaton Town

On 2 December 2009 he joined Nuneaton Town on a non-contract deal, playing football part-time whilst also touring the West Midlands with his indie three-piece band.

Northampton Town

On 8 January 2010 he joined Football League Two outfit Northampton Town on a short-term contract[7] during his time at Northampton Town, he made 24 Starts and 21 appearances.

Return to Nuneaton Town

As of 27 September he has signed a one-year contract with his former club Nuneaton Town. In his second spell at the club Thornton made just two appearances due to injury. He left Nuneaton Town shortly after.

Wrexham

Thornton had trials with a number of Football League and Non League clubs and on 3 July 2012, he joined Welsh club Wrexham on trial with view to a permanent deal for the new season.[8] After six months on trial Thornton signed for Wrexham on non-contract terms.[9] Thornton made his debut in a 5–0 win in an FA Trophy match against Sutton United which Thornton scored the fifth goal in. He then made his league debut in a 1–0 victory over Barrow FC, a game in which Thornton came off the bench to score the winner. He then made his first league start for the club on 2 March, against Alfreton Town FC, he continued his fine run of goals by opening the scoring, and was later greeted with a standing ovation when he was substituted. Kevin scored his fourth goal for Wrexham in his fourth league game for the club, against Ebbsfleet United, which was his fourth in four. The Irishman's most important goal came at Wembley Stadium in March 2013, It was in the FA Trophy Final and Wrexham were a goal down to Grimsby Town, and skipper Dean Keates was fouled in the Grimsby box, this resulted in a penalty for Wrexham in the 82nd minute, Thornton stepped up to take it and equalised, this took the game to extra-time and penalties, Thornton was substituted before the shoot-out which Wrexham won to lift the trophy. On 11 March 2014, Thornton joined Conference National side Tamworth on loan until the end of the season.[10]

Tamworth

Following his release by Wrexham, Thornton rejoined Tamworth on 9 June 2014.[11] Released by Tamworth at the end of the 2014–15 season, Thornton briefly joined Barwell F.C. before following the former Tamworth manager Dale Belford to Rugby Town for whom he scored a penalty on debut in a 3–1 win at Carlton Town. [12]

Coventry United

Following a short spell at Rugby Town in 2015–16, Thornton joined Coventry United of the Midlands League Premier for the season 2016–17.

Boyne Harps FC

Following his release from Coventry United, Thornton again returned home to Ireland after a short spell teaching yoga in Cape Verdi. He trained with current NEFL Champions Boyne Harps through the winter months and done enough to convince manager Wayne Wright to sign him on a short term 12-month contract. After 2 months awaiting clearance from the FA, Thornton made his long-awaited debut for Harps in a sold-out game against local rivals Millmount Celtic. Thornton scored 1 and assisted 2 as he made an immediate impact with the club endearing himself to the home fans in the process. Thornton went on to make 11 appearances for Harps scoring 3 goals, assisting 7 and receiving one red card in an ill-tempered clash with title challengers Duleek. After a frank discussion with manager Wayne Wright about his struggles with alcoholism, Thornton went into self exile in the remote seaside village of Clogherhead where he chose to live off the land and face his demons head-on. Harps and Thornton parted ways in June with Thornton returning to the UK to further his career.

Racing Club Warwick

On 13 June 2019, Thornton joined Racing Club Warwick.[13]

Return to Coventry United

In April 2020, Thornton re-joined Coventry United.[14]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 May 2014.[15]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[Note 1] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Coventry City 2005–06 Championship 160001000170
2006–07 111101000131
2007–08 191100000201
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2007–08 League One 120001020150
Coventry City 2008–09 Championship 4010000050
Coventry City total 502302000552
Coventry Sphinx 2009–10 Midland Football Alliance 2100–0021
Boyne Rovers 2009–10 Leinster Senior League 12100–00121
Nuneaton Town 2009–10 SFL Premier Division 0000–0000
Northampton Town 2009–10 League Two 111000000111
2010–11 256214110328
2011–12 2000000020
Northampton Town total 387214110459
Nuneaton Town 2011–12 Conference North 2000–0020
Nuneaton Town total 2000–0020
Wrexham 2012–13 Conference Premier 10300–00103
2013–14 9100–0091
Wrexham total 19400–00194
Tamworth (loan) 2013–14 Conference Premier 12300–00123
Tamworth 2014–15 Conference North 0000–0000
Tamworth total 12300–00123
Career totals 1351851713015020
  1. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy and FA Trophy

Career honours

Wrexham

Personal life

Thornton is the younger brother of former Sunderland and Leyton Orient player Sean Thornton.

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 407. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ↑ "Thornton likely to miss campaign". BBC Sport. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Pair pledge future to Sky Blues". BBC Sport. 24 May 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  4. ↑ "Thornton highly regarded by Tabb". BBC Sport. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  5. ↑ "Thornton makes Brighton loan move". BBC Sport. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  6. ↑ Dudding, Tim (26 September 2008). "Albion sign Midfielder". Seagulls World. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Cobblers snap up Thornton". givemefootball.com. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "Wrexham FC beat Bury to Brett Ormerod". Daily Post. 3 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Wrexham extend Alfei's loan deal". BBC Sport.
  10. ↑ Tamworth: Wrexham's Kevin Thornton joins Lambs on loan
  11. ↑ "Tamworth FC land former Wrexham FC star". Tamworth Herald. 7 June 2014. Archived from the original on 12 June 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Rugby Town FC | Official Website | Players | Kevin Thornton". Archived from the original on 30 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  13. ↑ Kevin Thornton signs for Racing, rcwfc.co.uk, 13 June 2019
  14. ↑ Focus | Kevin Thornton..., facebook.com, 9 April 2020
  15. ↑ "Kevin Thornton Stats". Soccerbase.
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