Kevin Francis (footballer)

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Kevin Francis
Personal information
Full name Kevin Derek Michael Francis
Date of birth (1967-12-06) 6 December 1967 (age 56)
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1989 Mile Oak Rovers
1989–1991 Derby County 10 (0)
1991–1995 Stockport County 152 (88)
1995–1998 Birmingham City 73 (13)
1998–2000 Oxford United 36 (8)
2000 Stockport County 4 (0)
2000 Exeter City 7 (1)
2000–2001 Hull City 22 (5)
2001–2003 Hednesford Town 41 (9)
2003–2005 Redditch United
2005 Studley
International career
1998 Saint Kitts & Nevis 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kevin Derek Michael Francis (born 6 December 1967) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker and was 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall. He is most famous for his 4-year spell at Stockport County, where he scored 117 goals.

Football career

Early career

Kevin started his career at Mile Oak Rovers, before a big move to Derby County in 1989. He made 17 appearances for Derby, 15 as a substitute, scoring once in the FA Cup.

Stockport County

Danny Bergara spotted Kevin whilst he was playing a reserve match and immediately wanted to sign him. County paid Derby £45,000 in March 1991. He scored 5 goals as County finished as runner-up in Division Four. The following season he notched 26 as County made it into two Wembley finals, followed by 33 in 1992–93 season as Stockport made it to the final of the Autoglass Shield. In his final full season he smashed in another 30 goals as County yet again made it to Wembley, however he was to lose for a fourth time. In 1994–95 he'd already scored 13 times before he left Stockport in January 1995, for £800,000, a record at the time for County.

He did make a return to County in 2000, but it was short-lived as after just four appearances he broke his leg in a match versus Manchester City. He was released at the end of the season, a sad way to end his glorious County career.

Due to his excellent goal-scoring feats he earned the honour of "County Player of the Century". Francis appeared back at Edgeley Park on 18 July 2014 as one of 30 Stockport County legends to play in Mike Flynn's testimonial match. Francis was welcomed back like a hero by the Stockport fans and stayed after the game to meet the fans. [1] in 2002.

Later career

After leaving Stockport County, Kevin had moderately successful spell at his hometown club Birmingham City, scoring 21 times in 94 appearances. Moves to Oxford United, Exeter City (where he scored once against Lincoln City)[2] & Hull City followed, before Francis exited the Football League and joined Hednesford Town. He finished his career off with spells at Redditch United & Studley, he retired in 2005.

Football League Career Statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1989–91 Derby County Football League 10 0 3 1 3 0 1 0 17 1
1991–95 Stockport County Football League 152 88 9 6 12 5 25 18 198 117
1995–98 Birmingham City Football League 73 13 6 2 11 5 4 1 94 21
1998–00 Oxford United Football League 36 8 3 0 0 0 1 0 40 8
2000 Stockport County Football League 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2000 Exeter City Football League 7 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 9 1
2000–01 Hull City Football League 24 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 5
Career total 306 115 22 9 26 10 32 19 386 153

Personal life

Born in Birmingham, England, he played international football for Saint Kitts and Nevis, qualifying through his parents, who were both born on the tiny Caribbean island.[3] He played his first international matches in the Caribbean Cup in April 1998.[4]

He is currently living in Canada, working as a Police Officer in Calgary, Alberta. He is married to Sharon, with whom he has two children, Stacey & Keisha. Stacey plays netball for England & Team Bath, however, unlike her father, she is a defender.

Honours

Stockport County

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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