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Chris Kirkland

English footballer (born 1981)

English footballer (born 1981)

FieldValue
nameChris Kirkland
imageChris Kirkland Aug 2010.jpg
image_size200
captionKirkland warming up with Wigan Athletic in 2010
fullnameChristopher Edmund Kirkland
birth_date
birth_placeBarwell, England
height
positionGoalkeeper
youthyears1–1998
youthclubs1Coventry City
years11998–2001
clubs1Coventry City
caps124
goals10
years22001–2006
clubs2Liverpool
caps225
goals20
years32005–2006
clubs3→ West Bromwich Albion (loan)
caps310
goals30
years42006
clubs4→ Wigan Athletic (loan)
caps49
goals40
years52006–2012
clubs5Wigan Athletic
caps5122
goals50
years62010
clubs6→ Leicester City (loan)
caps63
goals60
years72011
clubs7→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)
caps71
goals70
years82012–2015
clubs8Sheffield Wednesday
caps885
goals80
years92015–2016
clubs9Preston North End
caps95
goals90
years102016
clubs10Bury
caps100
goals100
totalcaps284totalgoals = 0
nationalyears12001–2003
nationalteam1England U21
nationalcaps18
nationalgoals10
nationalyears22006
nationalteam2England
nationalcaps21
nationalgoals20
manageryears12018
managerclubs1Liverpool Women (caretaker)

Christopher Edmund Kirkland (born 2 May 1981) is an English football coach and former professional goalkeeper. As a player, he made 321 league and cup appearances in an 18-year professional career from 1998 to 2016 and won one cap for the England national team in 2006.

Kirkland started his career at Coventry City, where he was regarded as one of the country's most promising young goalkeepers. He was later signed by Premier League club Liverpool for £6 million in August 2001. His time at the club was blighted by recurring injuries, which almost caused him to retire from football altogether. He later signed for Wigan Athletic in July 2006, after a successful loan period. He had further loan spells at both Leicester City and Doncaster Rovers before being signed by Sheffield Wednesday in May 2012. He joined Preston North End in August 2015 and had a brief spell with Bury before retiring in August 2016.

A year after retiring from playing, Kirkland took up coaching with Port Vale in January 2017. He subsequently joined the coaching staff of Liverpool Women the following year and was briefly manager for a month and a half.

Club career

Coventry City

Kirkland was born in Barwell, Leicestershire, where he grew up with his parents, Marie and Eddie,{{cite news | access-date = 20 April 2008 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130505123950/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Chris-Kirkland-proud-sign-hometown-club-Leicester-City/article-2940508-detail/article.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 5 May 2013 |access-date = 8 December 2010

Kirkland made his debut for Coventry in the League Cup in a 3–1 victory over Tranmere Rovers at Highfield Road on 22 September 1999. Manager Gordon Strachan began selecting him in Premier League matches ahead of Swedish international Magnus Hedman despite saying Kirkland was "big Bambi who couldn't kick the ball out of the penalty box". His performances were rewarded at the end of the 2000–01 season when he made his debut for the England under-21s,{{cite news

Liverpool

Kirkland made his debut for Liverpool in October 2001, but mostly served as understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek during the 2001–02 season. He was an unused substitute in the 2002 FA Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium, where Liverpool were beaten 1–0 by Arsenal. During the 2002–03 season, costly errors by Dudek in a league fixture against Manchester United resulted in manager Gérard Houllier handing the first-team place to Kirkland in December. He played 14 consecutive matches, during which he kept six clean sheets, but sustained an ankle injury in January 2003, which ruled him out for the rest of the season, meaning he missed the victorious 2003 League Cup final. He spent six weeks out of action after tearing his groin whilst on England under-21 duty in September 2003. He fractured a finger in December 2003, and was ruled out of action for four months after undergoing surgery to repair it.

Kirkland ousted Dudek as first-choice Liverpool keeper at the beginning of the 2004–05 season and played 14 matches before he was again sidelined in December after succumbing to a long-standing back injury. He had played four Champions League matches but was unable to be named in the squad for the 2005 final due to injury; Scott Carson, who took his place on the bench in Istanbul, later offered his Champions League winners medal to Kirkland, who refused to accept it.

In July 2005, Kirkland agreed to go on a season-long loan to Bryan Robson's West Bromwich Albion to kick-start his career again.{{Cite news | access-date = 15 March 2008}} He kept a clean sheet on his Albion debut as the team drew 0–0 away at Manchester City.{{Cite news | access-date = 22 May 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090202025251/http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10366~29793%2C00.html | archive-date = 2 February 2009

Wigan Athletic

In July 2006, Kirkland joined Wigan Athletic on a six-month loan spell. Manager Paul Jewell said that "He certainly has the potential, but there's the obvious question mark over fitness. It's not just been one thing with him because he's been unlucky with broken ribs, fingers, knee injuries, back." This move became permanent for a sum of £2.5 million on 27 October when the two clubs and Kirkland made a compromise. He won the club's Players' Player of the Year and Media Player of the Year awards for the 2007–08 season. A highlight of this season was saving a Benni McCarthy penalty in a 5–3 win over Blackburn Rovers at the DW Stadium. He committed his future to Wigan in May 2008 when he signed a new contract, tying him to the club until 2012.{{Cite news | access-date = 22 May 2008}}

On 22 November 2009, Kirkland conceded nine goals in a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce – Kirkland's former manager at Wigan from November 2007 to June 2009 – was linked with a move for Kirkland in January 2010, but said that "talk of me bidding £5m for Chris Kirkland is garbage, but he is a very good goalkeeper, and I'm a big, big admirer of him". Speaking in March 2010, manager Roberto Martínez said that "if you look at the standard of his performances – week in, week out – it is up there with the best in England".

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Wigan were heavily defeated in their first two matches against Blackpool and Chelsea. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Ali Al-Habsi. On 25 November 2010, Kirkland joined Championship club Leicester City on loan until January. A back spasm suffered during training in early December nearly ended his stint at the club, but he resumed his loan after making a speedy recovery. He made his debut in a 3–0 defeat to Ipswich Town on 19 December. Kirkland returned to Wigan for treatment on his back injury, after making three appearances at The Walkers Stadium. He was stretchered off after a collision with Johan Elmander in a 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 5 January 2011; Kirkland was in the Wigan squad due to Ali Al-Habsi's ineligibility to play against his parent club.

Kirkland was going to join Cardiff City on an emergency loan in February 2011 as cover for goalkeeper Tom Heaton, but the deal fell through after he picked up a virus. On 12 October 2011, Kirkland joined Championship Doncaster Rovers on loan until January after attracting interest from new manager Dean Saunders. After less than a week into his loan spell at the Keepmoat Stadium, Kirkland was sent back to parent club Wigan following another back spasm.

Sheffield Wednesday

In May 2012, Kirkland signed a two-year contract with Championship club Sheffield Wednesday; manager Dave Jones said whoever played best out of Kirkland and Stephen Bywater during pre-season would win a first-team place. Kirkland made his Wednesday debut in a 4–2 League Cup win over Oldham Athletic on 13 August 2012. His attacker, Aaron Cawley, went on to plead guilty to assault and was jailed for 16 weeks. Kirkland remained as first-choice goalkeeper throughout most of the 2012–13 and 2013–14 campaigns, but was relegated to second-choice behind Keiren Westwood throughout the majority of the 2014–15 season and left Hillsborough in July 2015 after turning down manager Stuart Gray's offer of a new contract.

Later career

On 12 August 2015, Kirkland joined Championship club Preston North End on a one-year contract. He was signed as an understudy to on loan goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and remained on the bench after Pickford was recalled, as Sam Johnstone and Anders Lindegaard also joined the club on loan. Kirkland was released by manager Simon Grayson when his contract at Deepdale expired at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Kirkland joined League One club Bury on a one-year contract in June 2016. He left Gigg Lane for personal reasons before the 2016–17 season began in August. He later revealed that he had been fighting a four-year battle with depression.

International career

Kirkland won eight caps with the England national under-21 team and was regularly selected for the senior squad from 2003 onwards, When Kirkland was eleven years old, his father and some family friends had placed bets of £100 each at 100/1 odds that he would play for England before the age of 30; Kirkland's appearance netted the group £10,000 each.

Style of play

Kirkland was identified at an early age as a goalkeeper with an "uncommon mixture of height, agility and bravery".

Coaching career

Kirkland began coaching the goalkeepers at League One club Port Vale in January 2017 as a favour to his friend and former teammate Michael Brown. He also set up the Chris Kirkland Goalkeeper Academy.

In July 2018, Kirkland returned to Liverpool as a goalkeeping coach for the women's team. He was appointed caretaker manager of the team on 14 September upon the resignation of Neil Redfearn. Following Vicky Jepson's appointment as permanent manager on 26 October, he returned to his previous role as goalkeeping coach. He took on the additional duty as assistant manager. He quit the role in March 2019 to focus on the growing demands of running his goalkeeping academy. He was appointed as head goalkeeping coach at Colne in June 2020.

Personal life

He and his wife Leeona had a daughter, Lucy, born on 14 November 2006, which caused him to miss an international friendly match against Netherlands the next day. In April 2008, Kirkland teamed up with fellow professionals Kevin Davies and Brett Emerton to help launch the Get Started programme. This national scheme aims to tackle re-offending. He visited Hindley Youth Offenders' Institution in support of the scheme, which is delivered by The Prince's Trust in partnership with the Premier League, the PFA and the Football Foundation.

In July 2022, Kirkland opened up about his painkiller addiction and revealed he had previously considered taking his own life. In July 2024, Kirkland was awarded an honorary doctorate for his mental health work by Edge Hill University.

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTotal2401040—290Total2503060110450Total13101020—1340Total8501050—910Career total2840901701103210
Coventry City1998–99Premier League000000—00
1999–2000Premier League000010—10
2000–01Premier League2301030—270
2001–02First Division10———10
Liverpool2001–02Premier League1000102040
2002–03Premier League80204010150
2003–04Premier League60101040120
2004–05Premier League100000040140
West Bromwich Albion (loan)2005–06Premier League1002000—120
Wigan Athletic2006–07Premier League2600000—260
2007–08Premier League3701000—380
2008–09Premier League3200020—340
2009–10Premier League3200000—320
2010–11Premier League400000—40
2011–12Premier League000000—00
Leicester City (loan)2010–11Championship30———30
Doncaster Rovers (loan)2011–12Championship10———10
Sheffield Wednesday2012–13Championship4600010—470
2013–14Championship3500010—360
2014–15Championship401030—80
Preston North End2015–16Championship501000—60

International

National teamYearAppsGoalsTotal10
England200610

Honours

Coventry City

  • FA Youth Cup runner-up: 1998–99

Liverpool

Individual

  • Coventry City Players' Player of the Year: 2000–01
  • Wigan Athletic Players' Player of the Year: 2007–08

References

References

  1. (2010). "The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11". Mainstream Publishing.
  2. (8 August 2013). "Henley College Coventry".
  3. (28 April 2016). "Profile: Former Wigan Athletic 'keeper Chris Kirkland". The League Paper.
  4. "Chris Kirkland's career in pictures". Express & Star.
  5. "Chris Kirkland". Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young.
  6. (18 May 2001). "Kirkland's challenge". Coventry Telegraph.
  7. Webster, Rupert. "Kirkland: a costly enterprise". Sky Sports.
  8. Eccleston, Ben. (18 December 2016). "Chris Kirkland urges potential buyers to look at Coventry City". Coventry Telegraph.
  9. Ingle, Sean. (31 August 2001). "Liverpool sign Kirkland and Dudek". The Guardian.
  10. "Player profile: Chris Kirkland". LFCHistory.net.
  11. (11 August 2002). "Slick Arsenal win Shield". BBC Sport.
  12. Wallace, Sam. (4 December 2002). "Dudek pays for latest blunder". The Daily Telegraph.
  13. "Chris Kirkland – Liverpool FC".
  14. (2 March 2003). "Liverpool lift Worthington Cup". BBC.
  15. Bright, Richard. (11 September 2003). "Kirkland out for six weeks". The Daily Telegraph.
  16. Fifield, Dominic. (2 January 2004). "Kirkland's injury a break for Dudek". The Guardian.
  17. Fifield, Dominic. (14 December 2004). "Kirkland knock lets Dudek in the door". The Guardian.
  18. James, Stuart. (26 January 2017). "Scott Carson: 'I tried to give my Champions League medal to Chris Kirkland, but he said no'". The Guardian.
  19. Malam, Colin. (1 January 2006). "Liverpool's 10 out of 10 for effort". The Daily Telegraph.
  20. (31 March 2006). "Kirkland warned over Reds future". BBC Sport.
  21. (11 July 2006). "Wigan clinch Kirkland loan deal". BBC Sport.
  22. Parkes, Ian. (12 July 2006). "Kirkland given lifeline by Jewell". The Guardian.
  23. (27 October 2006). "Permanent Wigan deal for Kirkland". BBC Sport.
  24. (21 May 2008). "No. 1 signing of the summer". Wigan Athletic F.C..
  25. (15 December 2007). "Wigan 5–3 Blackburn". BBC Sport.
  26. Fletcher, Paul. (22 November 2009). "Defoe nets five as super Spurs hit nine". BBC Sport.
  27. (11 January 2010). "Steve Bruce rules out £5m swoop for Chris Kirkland". Coventry Telegraph.
  28. Potter, Alistair. (22 March 2010). "Chris Kirkland deserves England call, says Martinez". Metro.
  29. (25 October 2010). "Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland's future up in the air following Bolton draw". The Daily Telegraph.
  30. (25 November 2010). "Kirkland joins City on loan". Leicester City F.C..
  31. (7 December 2010). "Chris Kirkland hopes to resume Leicester City loan". BBC Sport.
  32. (14 December 2010). "Chris Kirkland back training with Leicester City". BBC Sport.
  33. (19 December 2010). "Ipswich 3–0 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  34. (30 December 2010). "Kirkland back in injury misery". Sky Sports.
  35. (5 January 2011). "Bolton 1–1 Wigan". BBC Sport.
  36. (1 March 2011). "Chris Kirkland's Cardiff loan deal put on hold". Media Wales.
  37. (12 October 2011). "Wigan Athletic loan Chris Kirkland to Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport.
  38. (20 October 2011). "Doncaster Rovers end Chris Kirkland loan deal". BBC Sport.
  39. (24 May 2012). "Sheffield Wednesday sign Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland". BBC Sport.
  40. On 19 October, he was assaulted by a fan who had run onto the [[Football pitch. pitch]] during the 1–1 draw against [[Leeds United F.C.. Leeds United]]. Kirkland required several minutes of treatment after the assault, which was captured on television cameras and immediately followed a Leeds goal.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/19/sheffield-wednesday-leeds-united-championship "Sheffield Wednesday's Chris Kirkland attacked by Leeds fan in draw"]. ''The Guardian''. London. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  41. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20012421 "Chris Kirkland hit by Leeds fan at Sheffield Wednesday"]. BBC Sport. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  42. Parsons, Rob. (8 November 2016). "Leeds United probe as banned fan Aaron Cawley is pictured at Norwich game". Yorkshire Evening Post.
  43. (2 July 2015). "Chris Kirkland has left Sheffield Wednesday". Sky Sports.
  44. (12 August 2015). "Chris Kirkland: Preston North End sign goalkeeper". BBC Sport.
  45. Slmon, Craig. (9 June 2016). "PNE boss says pair will get fixed up". Lancashire Evening Post.
  46. (10 May 2016). "Preston release seven players but hope to keep Josh Brownhill". BBC Sport.
  47. (27 June 2016). "Chris Kirkland: Former England, Liverpool and Preston keeper joins Bury". BBC Sport.
  48. (4 August 2016). "Statement: Chris Kirkland". Bury F.C..
  49. (11 October 2017). "Chris Kirkland: 'I didn't want to wake up in the morning. It just starts again'". The Guardian.
  50. (23 March 2016). "England one-cap wonders XI: Who makes the cut?". The Daily Telegraph.
  51. (19 August 2003). "Funny old game". BBC Sport.
  52. Baggaley, Mike. (26 January 2017). "Former England keeper Chris Kirkland coaching at Port Vale". The Sentinel.
  53. (21 July 2018). "Ladies appoint Chris Kirkland as new goalkeeper coach". Liverpool F.C..
  54. (14 September 2018). "Chris Kirkland takes charge of Liverpool Women after Redfearn resignation". The Guardian.
  55. (26 October 2018). "Vicky Jepson appointed LFC Women manager". Liverpool FC.
  56. (23 March 2019). "Chris Kirkland becomes second high-profile coach to leave Liverpool Women". The Telegraph.
  57. (1 June 2020). "Ex-England international Chris Kirkland joins Colne staff {{!}} Non League Daily".
  58. (13 November 2006). "Eight out, Richardson in". The Football Association.
  59. (18 April 2008). "Famous players tackling problems in prison". Wigan Evening Post.
  60. (21 July 2022). "Chris Kirkland: 'I didn't know who I was, couldn't remember where home was'". The Guardian.
  61. (18 July 2024). "Chris Kirkland awarded honorary doctorate – and an invite to receive forgotten England cap". Edge Hill University.
  62. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 1998
  63. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 1999
  64. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2000
  65. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2001
  66. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2002
  67. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2003
  68. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2004
  69. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2005
  70. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2006
  71. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2007
  72. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2008
  73. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2009
  74. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2010
  75. {{Soccerbase season. 16003. 2011
  76. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2012
  77. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2013
  78. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2014
  79. {{soccerbase season. 16003. 2015
  80. {{NFT player
  81. Dent, Adam. (14 May 1999). "West Ham United Youth (3) 6 Coventry City Youth (0) 0". Coventry Internet Developments.
  82. Gandini, Luca. (2 June 2016). "European Champions' Club Cup/UEFA Champions League Winning Squads". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
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