Kevin Davies
Davies training with Bolton Wanderers in 2011
Personal information
Full name Kevin Cyril Davies[1]
Date of birth (1977-03-26) 26 March 1977 (age 46)[1]
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Sheffield United
0000–1993 Chesterfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1997 Chesterfield 129 (22)
1997–1998 Southampton 25 (9)
1998–1999 Blackburn Rovers 23 (1)
1999–2003 Southampton 82 (10)
2002 → Millwall (loan) 9 (3)
2003–2013 Bolton Wanderers 351 (74)
2013–2015 Preston North End 70 (4)
Total 689 (123)
International career
1994–1995 England U18 8 (0)
1997–2000 England U21 3 (0)
2010 England 1 (0)
Managerial career
2017–2018 Southport
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kevin Cyril Davies (born 26 March 1977) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker for Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End. He managed Southport in the 2017–18 season, before his contract was terminated on 30 April 2018.

Davies originally made his name as a vital part of the Chesterfield team which reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1997. He left Chesterfield at the end of that season, having made 148 appearances for the club and joined Premier League club Southampton in May 1997. He only spent one season at Southampton, making 30 appearances, before he joined Premier League club Blackburn Rovers in a club-record £7.5 million deal. Once again, he spent a single season at the club, making 29 appearances, before rejoining Southampton in 1999. In his second spell at the club, he made 95 appearances, also spending part of 2002 on loan to First Division club Millwall, where he made nine appearances. Released by Southampton at the end of the 2002–03 season, he joined Premier League club Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. He was made Bolton team captain in January 2009, but began to fall out of favour at Bolton towards the end of the 2012–13 season, and the club decided against renewing his contract. Davies made 407 appearances for Bolton, scoring 85 goals, then played two seasons at Preston North End before retiring.

He made three appearances for the England under-21 team between 1997 and 2000. At the age of 33, Davies made his international debut, and only appearance, for England against Montenegro in a 0–0 draw on 12 October 2010, coming on as a second-half substitute.

Club career

Chesterfield

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire,[1] Davies played as a schoolboy with his boyhood club Sheffield United, but was released at the age of 15.[citation needed] He was taken on trial at Chesterfield[2] and served his traineeship with the club.[1] Davies broke into the club's first team after several months.[2] He became Chesterfield's second youngest ever first-team player when he appeared against West Ham United in a League Cup tie, aged only 16, on 22 September 1993.[3][4] He signed his first professional contract with the club in April 1994.[1]

Generally, Davies' goalscoring form at Chesterfield was unspectacular, playing mostly wide in midfield and scoring his best total of 11 goals in the 1994–95 promotion season from the Third Division via the play-offs.[citation needed] In his final season at Saltergate he managed a mere three goals from 34 Second Division matches but made a major contribution to the Spireites' best-ever FA Cup run, including a hat-trick at Burnden Park in a fourth round tie against Bolton Wanderers and an earlier strike against Scarborough in the 2nd round.[5] Despite his relative lack of goals, his skilful play was still attracting attention from Premier League and First Division clubs during his contribution to Chesterfield's FA Cup exploits, which culminated in a semi-final replay defeat against Middlesbrough.[6]

As a youngster, Davies was far from the aggressive centre-forward he subsequently became at Bolton.[citation needed] At Chesterfield, although very well-built and strong for a teenager, he was known for his skill and intelligence, and it was these qualities that attracted the attention of Southampton manager Graeme Souness.[citation needed]

Southampton

Davies moved to Southampton in May 1997 and, in his first spell with them, scored nine league goals, one of which was a notable solo goal in a 2–0 win against Everton at Goodison Park.[7] He also scored the lone goals in historic 1–0 wins against Manchester United[8] and Chelsea,[9] and the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Liverpool.[10]

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers signed him for £7.5 million in July 1998, ten times what Southampton had paid for him a year earlier and also a club record.[citation needed] Chesterfield received no more money from the switch, having failed to negotiate a sell-on clause.[citation needed] As part of the deal, James Beattie went the other way.[citation needed] However, Davies scored just one league goal, the winner in a victory over Charlton Athletic, in 21 appearances for the club.[11] He scored a further goal in the FA Cup, also against Charlton Athletic, and played a UEFA Cup match that season.[12] At the end of the campaign, Blackburn were relegated a year after finishing sixth in the league and a mere four years after winning the league.[citation needed]

Return to Southampton

Southampton re-signed their former striker in exchange for Egil Østenstad in August 1999.[citation needed] However, just two league matches into his return at Southampton, Davies found himself sent off in a defeat against Liverpool after coming on as a substitute for Mark Hughes.[citation needed] He struggled to gain a first-team place throughout the next four years, and was more often than not a substitute.[citation needed] For the 2002–03 season Davies went on loan to Millwall in the First Division, where he played nine times, scoring three goals.[citation needed]

Bolton Wanderers

Davies lining up for Bolton Wanderers in 2008

In summer 2003, he joined Bolton having been released by Southampton.[citation needed] In a season where he rediscovered his best form, he scored ten times and started every league match.[citation needed] He ended the season by winning the club's Player of the Year award and scored a consolation goal for his team in the 2004 League Cup Final against Middlesbrough at the Millennium Stadium.[citation needed]

Davies is frequently cited as being the player in the Premier League that commits the most fouls, committing more offences than any other Premier League player in for three consecutive seasons from 2004 to 2007.[citation needed] In the 2003–04 and 2007–08 seasons, Davies was slightly better behaved, committing the second highest number of fouls per season.[citation needed] In his Bolton career Davies has committed over 1,000 fouls, more than any other Premier League player in the competition's history.[13][14] At the same time Davies has also featured near the top of the list of most fouled players.[15]

During a post-match interview with the BBC after a match against Arsenal in January 2009, during which he had been accused of deliberately trying to injure Gaël Clichy in a challenge, he replied that some Arsenal players tried to "con the referee". He added "A few of them let out a big scream, which is a bit embarrassing because it is a man's game ... in my eyes that is cheating the referee ... you just have to get on with the game."[16] On 10 September 2011. he received his 100th yellow card in the Premier League for a foul on Manchester United's Patrice Evra and when he received another booking against Wigan Athletic on 11 February 2012, he became the joint holder of the record for most yellow cards in Premier League history, alongside Lee Bowyer.[citation needed] Paul Scholes has equaled his Premier League yellow card record and Gareth Barry has surpassed this record.[citation needed]

On 8 November 2007, Davies scored a goal away to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.[citation needed] Davies's late effort earned Bolton a crucial away point from the 2–2 draw in the UEFA Cup group stage.[citation needed]

On 12 April 2008, Davies scored his 100th career goal in a 1–0 win over West Ham at the Reebok Stadium, despite dislocating a finger during the match and having it placed back into its socket allowing him to play on.[17]

On Saturday 3 May 2008, he made his return from a broken hand to help Bolton retain their Premier League status.[citation needed]

Over the summer of 2008, Hull City tried to sign Kevin Davies from Bolton, but the club turned down their offer.[18] Davies then signed a new contract with Bolton would keep him at the club until 2011.[19]

On 31 January 2009, Davies became captain of Bolton following the sale of Kevin Nolan to Newcastle United.[2] The same day, Davies' first match as captain saw him score two goals in Bolton's 3–2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur as well as equalling his record for goals in a Premier League season.[20] In the following match, at home against West Ham, he scored his 50th goal for Bolton, and his 10th of the season.[21]

In August 2009, Davies stated that he would like to stay at Bolton for the rest of his career.[22] On 13 March 2010, Davies scored the first penalty of his career, netting the second from the spot in a 4–0 home win over Wigan.[23]

Davies set a Premier League records for the most fouls in a season in 2009–10, committing 120 such offences.[citation needed] In the 2010–11 season he went on to break his own record with 121 fouls.[24]

Davies was relegated with Bolton at the end of the 2011–12 season, but shortly after, he signed a new one-year deal with the club and assured the fans he would stay to get Bolton back to the Premier League.[25] He made his 400th appearance for the club at Watford on 2 February 2013.[citation needed]

On 26 March 2013, Bolton announced that they would not be offering Davies a new contract, which would make that season his final for the club.[26] Following this announcement, Davies played no further matches that season, being initially dropped to the bench before eventually being left out of match day squads completely, with reserve-team strikers being preferred instead.[citation needed]

Preston North End

On 10 July 2013, Davies signed a two-year contract with League One club Preston North End.[27][28] He made his league debut for Preston on 3 August in a 0–0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and drew praise from his manager for his performance.[29] His first goal for Preston was a penalty in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic on 9 September 2013.[30] He went on to score the only goal in a 1–0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup on 9 December 2013.[31]

On 7 February 2015, he scored his 150th career goal and his first of the season, heading in Paul Gallagher's cross to win a home match against Coventry City.[32] He played 22 minutes as a substitute for hat-trick scorer Jermaine Beckford on 24 May as Preston won 4–0 in the play-off final against Swindon Town at Wembley Stadium.[33]

On 4 September 2015, Davies announced his retirement from football after 22 years in the game.[34]

International career

Davies was asked near the end of the 2009–10 season if he was eligible to play for Scotland.[citation needed] Davies is, to his own knowledge, ineligible to represent Scotland, but further explained he would reject any call-up to the Scottish or Welsh teams even if it was possible.[35]

At the age of 33, Davies was called up to the England squad for the first time in his career for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Montenegro on 12 October 2010.[36] He made his debut as a 69th-minute substitute for Peter Crouch and received a yellow card.[37] At 33 years and 200 days, he became the oldest England debutant since the 38-year-old Leslie Compton in 1950.[38]

Style of play

Davies was known for his bustling, physical playing style; he has committed more fouls than any other player in the history of the Premier League, although conversely he is also one of the most fouled.[2] He was more of a "goal architect" than a goalscorer.[39]

Managerial career

Davies was appointed manager of National League North club Southport on 18 October 2017 on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[40]

On 30 April 2018 Southport announced that Davies had been released from his managerial duties.[41]

Personal life

He is the half brother of fellow footballer Jamie Jackson.[42][43]

In July 2020 Davies set up KCD Management, a Football Agency.[44]

He is married to Emma Davies.[45]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chesterfield 1993–94[4] Third Division 24 4 0 0 2 0 2[a] 0 28 4
1994–95[46] Third Division 41 11 1 0 3 1 4[b] 1 49 13
1995–96[47] Second Division 30 4 2 2 2 0 4[a] 0 38 6
1996–97[48] Second Division 34 3 7 4 2 0 0 0 43 7
Total 129 22 10 6 9 1 10 1 158 30
Southampton 1997–98[49] Premier League 25 9 1 0 4 3 — 30 12
Blackburn Rovers 1998–99[50] Premier League 21 1 2 1 3 0 1[c] 0 27 2
1999–2000[51] First Division 2 0 — — — 2 0
Total 23 1 2 1 3 0 1 0 29 2
Southampton 1999–2000[51] Premier League 23 6 1 0 1 0 — 25 6
2000–01[52] Premier League 27 1 2 1 1 0 — 30 2
2001–02[53] Premier League 23 2 1 0 3 1 — 27 3
2002–03[54] Premier League 9 1 4 1 — — 13 2
Total 82 10 8 2 5 1 — 95 13
Millwall (loan) 2002–03[54] First Division 9 3 — — — 9 3
Bolton Wanderers 2003–04[55] Premier League 38 9 0 0 5 1 — 43 10
2004–05[56] Premier League 35 8 4 1 2 0 — 41 9
2005–06[57] Premier League 37 7 3 1 2 0 5[c] 0 47 8
2006–07[58] Premier League 30 8 2 1 1 0 — 33 9
2007–08[59] Premier League 32 3 0 0 1 0 8[c] 1 41 4
2008–09[60] Premier League 38 12 1 0 1 0 — 40 12
2009–10[61] Premier League 37 7 3 1 2 1 — 42 9
2010–11[62] Premier League 38 8 6 2 1 0 — 45 10
2011–12[63] Premier League 31 6 4 2 2 0 — 37 8
2012–13[64] Championship 35 6 2 0 1 0 — 38 6
Total 351 74 25 8 18 2 13 1 407 85
Preston North End 2013–14[65] League One 38 3 4 2 2 0 2[d] 0 46 5
2014–15[66] League One 32 1 5 0 2 0 5[e] 0 44 1
Total 70 4 9 2 4 0 7 0 90 6
Career total 689 123 55 19 43 7 31 2 818 151
  1. ^ a b Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Two appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, two appearances in Third Division play-offs
  3. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs
  5. ^ Four appearances in Football League Trophy, one in League One play-offs

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England[67] 2010 1 0
Total 1 0

Managerial statistics

As of match played 28 April 2018
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Southport 18 October 2017 30 April 2018 31 9 7 15 029.0 [40][68]
Total 31 9 7 15 029.0 —

Honours

Chesterfield

Southampton

Bolton Wanderers

Preston North End

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Magowan, Alistair (21 January 2010). "Football – An old-fashioned centre-forward". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  3. ^ Tomlinson, Adam (4 September 2015). "Kevin Davies announces retirement from football". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b Rollin, Jack, ed. (1994). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1994–95. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 166–167, 616–622, 637–638, 655. ISBN 978-0-7472-7857-3.
  5. ^ Hewitt, Jamie (13 April 1997). "Season of dreaming Spireites". The Independent. London. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Middlesbrough v Chesterfield, 22 April 1997". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Goodison gloom as Saints take points". BBC Sport. 4 November 1997. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Dell hell for off-colour Red Devils". Irish Independent. Dublin. 20 January 1998. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  9. ^ Moore, Glenn (30 December 1997). "Davies' strike is decisive as Saints defy Chelsea". The Independent. London. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  10. ^ Harris, Nick (21 September 1997). "Liverpool bow to Saint Davies". The Independent. London. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  11. ^ Hadfield, Dave (5 December 1998). "Davies scores – and no kidding". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  12. ^ Hadfield, Dave (3 January 1999). "FA Cup: Ilic error covers up Charlton deficiency". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  13. ^ "2007/2008". Premier League. Archived from the original on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  14. ^ FOOTBALL: TODAY'S TOP 20: HIGHEST FOULS PER GAME RATIO SO FAR THIS | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com Archived 13 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Bolton don't play proper football, says Van Persie". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  16. ^ "Davies angered by Arsenal conduct". BBC Sport. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  17. ^ "Kev's only gone and ton it!". The Sunday People. London. 13 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  18. ^ Bolton News ignore Kevin Davies to Hull story Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Manny Road. 1 August 2008.
  19. ^ Bolton's Kevin Davies signs lucrative new contract. Daily Mirror. London. 29 August 2008.
  20. ^ Lyon, Sam (31 January 2009). "Bolton 3–2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  21. ^ Shea, Julian (21 February 2009). "Bolton 2–1 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  22. ^ "Kevin Davies promises to finish his career at Bolton". Daily Mirror. London. 15 January 2010. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  23. ^ "Bolton 4–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. 13 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  24. ^ @OptaJoe (22 May 2011). "121 - Kevin Davies has just committed his 121st foul of the season; a PL record since Opta began analysis in the mid 1990s. Hatchet" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Davies signs new one-year deal". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  26. ^ "Kevin Davies: Bolton captain to leave Wanderers after 10 seasons". BBC Sport. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  27. ^ "Kevin Davies signs!". Preston North End F.C. 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  28. ^ "Kevin Davies: Preston North End sign ex-Bolton & England striker". BBC Sport. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  29. ^ "Grayson expects Davies impact". Sky Sports. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  30. ^ "Preston 2–1 Oldham". BBC Sport. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  31. ^ "Wycombe 0–1 Preston". BBC Sport. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  32. ^ "Preston 1–0 Coventry". BBC Sport. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  33. ^ a b Middleton, Nathan (24 May 2015). "Preston North End 4–0 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  34. ^ "Kevin Davies: Ex-Preston, Bolton and England striker retires". BBC Sport. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  35. ^ Iles, Marc (2 August 2010). "Davies rejects Scotland offer". The Bolton News. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  36. ^ "England boss Fabio Capello calls up Kevin Davies". BBC Sport. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  37. ^ McNulty, Phil (12 October 2010). "England 0 Montenegro 0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  38. ^ BBC Sport "Kevin Davies: Ex-Preston, Bolton and England striker retires"
  39. ^ Magowan, Alistair (8 October 2010). "Davies call-up long time in the making". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  40. ^ a b Lopez, Jamie (18 October 2017). "Former Bolton and England striker Kevin Davies named new Southport FC manager". Southport Visiter. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  41. ^ "Southport Football Club And Kevin Davies Part Company". Southport F.C. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Two Jamies get their chance". Chesterfield F.C. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  43. ^ "Blues add teen spirit". Derbyshire Times. Chesterfield. 13 April 2006. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  44. ^ Derbyshiretimes: "Loyalty and trust are hard to find in football' - Chesterfield hero Kevin Davies launches new business"
  45. ^ "Why ex-Bolton Wanderers ace Kevin Davies quit the town following row with council over eco-home". Manchester Evening News. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  46. ^ a b Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1995). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1995–96. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 124–125, 552–553, 578–584, 608–611, 597–599. ISBN 978-0-7472-7823-8.
  47. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1996). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 124–125, 573–576, 587–591, 598–601. ISBN 978-0-7472-7781-1.
  48. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1997). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 130–131, 578–579, 588, 597–606. ISBN 978-0-7472-7738-5.
  49. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  50. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  51. ^ a b "Games played by Kevin Davies in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  52. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  53. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  55. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  56. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  57. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  58. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  59. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  60. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
    "Player Profile: Kevin Davies". Premier League. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  61. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  62. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  63. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  64. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  65. ^ "Games played by Kevin Davies in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  66. ^ a b c "K. Davies". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  67. ^ "Davies, Kevin". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  68. ^ "Southport FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  69. ^ "Voting now open for Player of the Year award". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  70. ^ "Kevin Davies: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 27 September 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kevin Davies.
Bolton Wanderers F.C. – Player of the Year
Southport F.C. – managers
Categories