Wigan Athletic Football League players – A to Z – (Olivier Kapo to Andy Lyons)

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OLIVIER KAPO – ANDY LYONS

KAPO Olivier
DOB: 27th September 1980
Other clubs: Auxerre, Juventus, Monaco, Levante, Birmingham City, Boulogne, Celtic, Al-Alhi, Auxerre
Honours: France (9 caps, 3 goals)

Olivier became Steve Bruce’s second summer signing of 2008. He arrived at the JJB Stadium on 15th July 2008, signing a three-year contract for a fee of £3.500.000 from Birmingham City. Just days previously Bruce had raided the St Andrews outfit for Kapo’s team mate Daniel De Ridder. His first game for the club was against Eintracht Frankfurt in a training camp friendly in Austria on 22nd July 2008. The Blues lost 0-2. He made his Latics Premier League debut on the opening day of the 2008/09 season against West Ham United at Upton Park on 16th August 2008, a game that resulted in a 2-1 defeat.

Kapo had an unhappy season at the JJB Stadium, failing to settle at the club and was looking to leave the club almost as soon as he had signed his contract! As at the end of season 2008/09 he had played 10+9 Premier League games, scoring once. During the first half of season 2009/10 he had played just once without scoring against Portsmouth at Fratton Park and he was loaned to French outfit Boulogne for the remainder of the season. Upon his return to the DW Stadium in July 2010, he was released.

His next port of call was Celtic who he joined as a free agent on 2nd November 2010, his stay was short lived as he was released on 2nd January 2011 and is currently (January 2012) playing for Auxerrem his first club,  after a stint in the Middle East.

KAVANAGH, Graham
DOB: 2nd December 1973
Other clubs: Home Farm, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Cardiff City, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Carlisle United
Honours: Republic of Ireland Under 21’s (16 caps, 1 goal),
Republic of Ireland B (1 cap),
Republic of Ireland (16 caps, 1 goal),
Second Division play-offs winner 2003 (Cardiff City)

Graham arrived at the JJB Stadium on 4th March 2005 for a fee of £350,000 from crisis club Cardiff City. The Bluebirds were facing administration and had put their whole team up for sale. Graham was the pick of the bunch. He made his Latics League debut on 5th March 2005 against Ipswich Town at the JJB Stadium. The game resulted in a 1-0 win. His signing was instrumental in helping the club achieve Premiership status for the first time in its history by the end of the campaign. He made 11+0 League appearances without scoring before adding to his International appearances during the summer and the following 2005/06 season.

By the end of the club’s first Premiership season 2005/06 he had made 32+3 further appearances for the club without scoring. He also featured in Latics’ Carling Cup Final defeat against Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium. By the end of the campaign his Latics career total was 43+3 league appearances with no goals scored.

He had made just two substitute appearances during the 2006/07 season before being transferred to Champinship outfit Sunderland for a fee of £500.000 on 31st August 2006. Also joining him at the Stadium of Light was his Latics team mate David Connolly who also signed for the Mackems on the same day. He has since had two loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and was on loan at Carlisle United when Sunderland and Graham cancelled his Stadium of Light contract by mutual consent on 8th January 2009. The following day he was unveiled as Carlisle United’s player/coach.

KAY, Ben
DOB: 27th September, 1982
Other clubs: Congleton Town, Marine

Ben started his career as a junior with the Blues and he made his Latics debut on 30th January 2001 against Walsall in a second round Leyland Daf Van Trophy game at the Bescot Stadium. By the start of season 2001/02 he had signed a one-year contract and his brother Rob had also signed for the club as a member of Latics’ forthcoming Academy side.

Things didn’t work out for him though and in April 2002 he was told by the club that his services were no longer needed, so he left the club along with Ian Johnson, another first year professional. Ben left his latest club, Marine in January 2006.

KELLY, Norman
DOB: 10th October 1970
Other clubs: Oldham Athletic, Dunfermline Athletic, Raith Rovers, Glenavon, Glentoran, IFK Stromstad, Canberra Cosmos, Linfield, Glanavon, Crusaders
Honours: Northern Ireland Under 21’s (1 cap)

Norman was signed on loan from Oldham Athletic following the sale of Paul Beesley to Leyton Orient. He made his Latics League debut as a substitute on 28th October 1989 against Bristol City at Ashton Gate when Latics were beaten 3-0. Things didn’t work out for him at Springfield Park and he returned to Boundary Park after making 0+4 League appearances for the Blues without scoring.

On leaving Springfield Park he moved up to Scotland to sign for Dunfermline Athletic. His career then took him Ireland, Sweden, Brunei, Malaysia, Australia and the last that was heard of him (by the author) he was coaching junior football in the United States Of America.

A bit of Norman Kelly trivia – did you know that Norman was a close friend of ‘Home And Away’ actress Belinda Emmett who died of breast cancer aged just 32?

KELLY, Tony
DOB: 1st October 1964
Other clubs: Liverpool, Prescot Cables, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Chester City, Colchester United, Shrewsbury Town, Bolton Wanderers, Port Vale, Millwall, Peterborough United, Altrincham, Cemaes Bay, Knowsley United, Halifax Town
Honours: Freight Rover Trophy winner 1995 (Wigan Athletic)

Tony, who started his career as an apprentice at Liverpool was spotted by Harry McNally playing for Prescot Cables and on 26th November 1983 he made his Latics League debut in a 0-1 defeat at Springfield Park by Walsall and from that moment on he was an almost ever present in the first team. He became so proficient at free kick taking that he became known as ‘Zico’ among the Latics faithful. it seemed like every time Latic

s were awarded a free kick just outside the box he would rattle the ball into the net! He stayed at Springfield Park until the end of season 1985/86 when he joined Stoke City for £80,000 at a time when the club was selling its prize assets in a bid to stave off financial disaster. In total he played 98+3 League games and scored 15 League goals for the Blues before moving to the Potteries.

He returned to the club in September 1995 and made his second Latics League debut on 30th September 1995 against Hereford United in a game at Edgar Street that resulted in a 2-2 draw. He was only to make 1 more League appearance for the club before moving to Altrincham. He is currently (January 2012) the Fans Liason Officer at Bolton Wanderers after trawling the non league circuit before hanging up his boots.

He is a the winner of the club’s 1984/85 Player of the Year Award.

KENNA, Jeff
DOB: 27th August 1970
Other clubs: Palmerston Rangers, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Tranmere Rovers, Birmingham City, Derby County, Kidderminster Harriers, Galway United (manager), St Patrick’s Athletic
Honours: Republic of Ireland Under 21’s (8 caps),
Republic of Ireland B (1 cap),
Republic of Ireland, (27 caps),
Premier League Championship winner 1995 (Blackburn Rovers),
First Division Play-Off Winner 2002 (Birmingham City)

Jeff played 27 times for the Republic of Ireland without scoring during his time at Blackburn Rovers. He signed for Latics on 2nd November 2001 from Blackburn on a month’s loan. The Blues owed his signing due to the generosity of Glasgow Rangers because one of their players, Dariusz Adamzcuk was at the JJB Stadium at the time and Latics would not have been able to sign Jeff if the Scottish outfit hadn’t cancelled Adamzcuk’s (who was back at Ibrox injured) loan period. Jeff made his Latics debut on 3rd November 2001 at London Road in a League fixture against Peterborough United which Latics won 2-0. In total he played 6 League games for the Blues and scored once.

His move was not made permanent because he and the club could not agree personal terms. On Christmas Eve 2001 he signed for Birmingham City on a month’s loan. Ex Latics manager Steve Bruce, Director of Football John Benson and ex player Mark Bowen had joined Birmingham just two weeks previously as manager, assistant manager and first team coach respectively. After his initial loan period had ended he signed for the St Andrews side in a permanent deal. He later became the manager of Galway United, taking over the hot seat in April 2008 after ending his playing career at Kidderminster Harriers. To date (January 2012) he is the Community Development coach at Birmingham City after spells in management with Galway United and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Some Jeff Kenna trivia – did you know that Jeff is the brother of heavyweight boxer Colin Kenna

KENNEDY, Alan
DOB: 31st August 1954
Other clubs: Newcastle United, Sunderland, Liverpool, Beerschot FC, Hartlepool United, Grantham Town, Colne Dynamoes, Wrexham, Morecambe, Netherfield, Radcliffe Borough, Barrow
Honours: England, (2 caps), England Under 23’s (6 caps),
Charity Shield winner 1979, 1980, 1982 (Liverpool),
First Division Championship winner 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984 (Liverpool),
League Cup winner 1981, 1982, 1984 (Liverpool),
European Cup winner 1981, 1984 (Liverpool).

Alan, who is the only British player to score winning goals in two European Cup Finals, arrived at Springfield Park at Christmas time 1987 and he made his Latics League debut against Bury at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day 1987 along with Andy Holden. The game resulted in a 2-0 victory for Latics and his arrival at the club coincided with an upturn in fortunes for Ray Mathias’ team. Initially joining Latics for a month, the deal was extended to the end of the season when local firm Port Petroleum sponsored him in a unique deal. In total he made 22 League appearances without scoring for the Blues. Alan is currently (May 2011) an after dinner speaker and he runs a youth coaching school.

KENNEDY, Mick
DOB: 9th April 1961
Other clubs: Halifax Town, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Bradford City, Leicester City, Stoke City, Luton Town, Chesterfield, Lifford AFC (coach)
Honours: Republic of Ireland Under 21’s (4 caps),
Republic of Ireland, (2 caps)

Mick, an old Portsmouth team mate of then Latics manager Kenny Swain was signed in July 1993 from Chesterfield. By the time he arrived at Springfield Park Mick was injury prone to say the very least. He made his Latics League debut on 28th August 1993 in a home encounter against Wycombe Wanderers that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He played three more games and promptly got injured for most of the season. In total he made 15+2 League appearances, scoring one goal before being released at the end of the season.  He is currently (March 2011) living in Ireland and is the coach of Lifford AFC.

KENNEDY, Peter
DOB: 10th September 1973
Other clubs: Glentoran, Glenarvon, Portadown, Notts County, Watford, Derby County, Peterborough United, Portadown, Ballymena United, Donegal Celtic
Honours: Northern Ireland B (1 cap), Northern Ireland, (20 caps),
Irish League championship winner 1996 (Portadown),
Irish League Cup winner 1996 (Portadown),
Ulster Cup winner 1996 (Portadown)
Second Division Championship winner 1998 (Watford),
First Division Play Off winner 1999 (Watford)
Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)

Peter arrived at the JJB Stadium on 17th July 2001 for a fee of £150,000. The arrival of Gianluca Vialli as manager of the Hornets left Peter out in the cold and so new Latics boss Paul Jewell decided to swoop for the versatile player. He made his Latics League debut on 11th August 2001, the opening day of the season, against Brentford at the JJB Stadium. The game resulted in a 1-1 draw. On 13th February 2002 he made his 14th International appearance (his fourth whilst at Latics) for Northern Ireland during a 1-4 defeat against Poland in Cyprus, a game watched by 221 fans. By the end of Latics’ record breaking 2002/03season he had made 53 League appearances and scored 1 League goal and had played twice more for his country in a 0-2 defeat against Italy in a friendly and a 0-0 draw against Spain in the Euro 94 qualifiers.

After making an impressive start to the following season, and adding to his International caps tally he was surprisingly loaned to First Division rivals D

erby County on 31st October 2003. Whilst at Pride Park he played 5 League games and netted once for the Rams. He returned to the JJB Stadium on 1st December 2003 but he never played for the club again. His Latics career total when he was released from the club at the end of the 2003/04 season read, played 65 League games, scored 2 League goals.

He joined League One outfit Peterborough United on 30th July 2004. Peter finished his Football League career in May 2006 after being released by Peterborough United. In September 2008 he was working as an accountant having finished his career at Portadown, but he came out of retirement a year later to play for two more clubs, Ballymena United and Donegal Celtic.

KERR, Stewart
DOB: 13th November 1974
Other clubs: Celtic, Brighton and Hove Albion, Airdrie United (g/coa), Motherwell (g/coa)
Honours: Scotland Under 21’s (10 caps),

Stewart had made 33 League appearances for Celtic before Latics signed him for an undisclosed fee on 24th August 2001. He signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year and he arrived as goalkeeping competition for Derek Stillie, who up until then, had been the only senior goalkeeper on Latics’ books following the £2.5m sale of Roy Carroll to Manchester United. He made his League debut against Bristol City at the JJB Stadium on 25th August 2001, where despite a steady game on his part Latics lost 1-2.

A very serious back injury in October meant that he missed the rest of the season, only appearing again on the bench for the final game of the season against Colchester United. By the end of the season he had made a total of 8+0 League appearances and was number two to John Filan. Stewart was never to play another game for the club again when on 27th September 2002 he confirmed that he had retired from the game because spinal surgery had been unsuccessful. He is currently (March 2011) the goalkeeping coach at Motherwell.

KETTLE, Brian
DOB: 22nd April 1956
Other clubs: Liverpool, Dallas Tornado, Houston Hurricane, Burscough, Barrow, Formby, Runcorn, South Liverpool (manager), Southport (manager), Stalybridge Celtic (manager), Rhyl (manager), AFC Liverpool (asst reserve team manager)
Honours: Northern Premier League winner 1993 (Southport)

Brian signed for Latics on 10th September 1980 from Liverpool for a fee of £30,000 which was a club record at the time. He was signed as a replacement for Maurice Whittle who left Springfield Park three days earlier. Brian made his Latics League debut on 13th September 1980 against Darlington at Feethams in a game that resulted in a 1-3 defeat. He had played 14 League games and scored once before being struck down by a severe knee injury in a 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers at Belle Vue on 4th November 1980. He never recovered fully from the injury and was released by the club at the end of the 1980/81 season.  On leaving Springfield Park, Brian developed a long standing love affair with the non league circuit after realising that he could never give up the game completely. He is currently (March 2011) the assistant reserve team manager at AFC Liverpool.

Some Brian Kettle trivia – did you know that Brian has played in the European Cup (now Champions League)?

KILBANE, Kevin
DOB: 1st February 1977
Other clubs: Preston North End, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Everton, Hull City, Huddersfield Town, Derby County, Coventry City
Honours: Republic of Ireland (110 caps, 8 goals)

Kevin was signed by Paul Jewell from Everton on 31st August 2006. He arrived at the JJB Stadium on a three-year contract with the option of a further year. Also signing for the Blues on the same day were Welsh international David Cotterill who signed for £2.000.000 from Bristol City and Bulgarian international Svetoslav Todorov who arrived on a season long loan from Portsmouth.

He made his Latics Premiership debut on 16th September 2006 ironically enough at Goodison Park against Everton! After making 62+14 Premiership appearances for Latics, during which he netted twice, he signed for Hull City for an undisclosed fee on 15th January 2009.

He is currently (August  2012) plying his trade at Coventry City.

KILFORD, Ian
DOB: 6th October 1973
Other clubs: Nottingham Forest, Scunthorpe United, Barrow, Kendal Town

When Latics moved to the JJB Stadium at the start of season 1999/00 Ian was the Blues’ longest serving player. However he started his career as a trainee at Nottingham Forest on 3rd April 1991 but in his three years at the City Ground he made just 1 League appearance without scoring before being loaned to Latics on 23rd December 1993. He made his Latics debut on 4th January 1994 against Rochdale at Springfield Park, a game that resulted in a 0-0 draw.

After playing 8+0 League games and scoring 3 League goals for the Blues he returned to the City Ground. However, on 13th July 1994 Ian’s move was made permanent by Kenny Swain. He had been at the club for eight years and was the club’s longest serving player before being released at the end of season 2001/02. He played 178+43 League games for Latics, scoring 28 League goals. In September 2002 he signed for Third Division outfit Bury on a non-contract basis but he never played a game for the Shakers.

On 8th November 2002 he joined Scunthorpe United on a non-contract basis and returned to League Football before drifting into non league circles. To date (January 2012) he is the assistant manager of Kendal Town whose manager is his former Latics team mate, Lee Ashcroft.

KILNER, John
DOB: 3rd October 1959
Other clubs: Preston North End, Halifax Town, Mossley, Curzon Ashton, Hyde United.

John had been playing abroad after more or less coming to the end of his career. Harry McNally decided to sign him for the remainder of the 1983/84 season in November 1983 as cover for Toy Tunks. He made his Latics League debut on 27th December 1983 against Bradford City at Valley Parade. By the time the game was finished he went down in the history books as the goalkeeper with the worst debutant League record when the Bantams ran ou

t 6-2 winners.

In total he played 4 League games for Latics before being released at the end of the season.  His last known club was Hyde United in 1987.

KING, Marlon
DOB: 26th April 1980
Other clubs: Barnet, Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Watford, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Birmingham City
Honours: Jamaica (18 caps, 10 goals)

Marlon was signed by Steve Bruce on 25th January 2008, becoming his fifth January transfer window signing. He signed a three and a half year deal and the fee that Latics paid Watford for his services was undisclosed, but rumoured to be around the five million pounds mark with contractual add ons taken into consideration. He made his Latics Premiership debut on 29th January 2008 in a crucial relegation ‘six pointer’ against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium which the Blues lost 1-0. As at the end of season 2007/08 he had played 8+7 Premiership games for the Blues, scoring once.

Prior to season 2008/09 he joined Hull City on a season long loan. However, after making 19+1 Premier League appearances for the Tigers, scoring five times, he was sent back to the JJB Stadium. Almost immediately, on 23rd January 2009, he was then loaned to Middlesbrough with Ahmed Mido making an identical move to the Latics. Marlon returned to the JJB Stadium in June 2009 with Mido also returning to the North East club who had been relegated from the Premier League in his absence!

King was jailed for eighteen months on 29th October 2009 and he was sacked by the club immediately. In September 2010 he was released and signed for Coventry City who gave him another chance in football.  He repaid this by signing for Birmingham City in June 2011!

His Latics career consisted in total of 8+10 Premier League appearances, during which he scored once.

KINGSON, Richard
DOB: 13th June 1978
Other clubs: Great Olympics, Sakaryaspor, AS Goztepe, Antalyaspor, Elazigspor, Ankaraspor, Galatasary, Hammerby IF, Birmingham City, Blackpool
Honours: Ghana (90 caps, 1 goal)

Richard was out of contract when he signed for Steve Bruce on 12th September 2008. He was third choice goalkeeper behind Chris Kirkland and Mike Pollitt, His first game for the club was a FA Cup third round game against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 2nd January 2009, the game resulted in a 3-1 defeat.

He had to wait until 9th March 2009 for his League debut when he came onto the field of play as a substitute for Chris Kirkland after ten minutes of the Premier League away game at West Bromwich Albion which the Blues lost 3-1. As at the end of season 2009/10 his Latics career consisted of 3+3 Premier League games played. On 30th January 2010 he made a piece of Latics history by becoming the first ever Wigan Athletic player to represent the club in the final of a major international tournament. He was captain of the Ghana side that lost 1-0 to Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final.

Despite playing in the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa, he was released in June 2010 but turned up at Premier League new boys Blackpool on 31st August 2010, he played  a further season in the Premier League before being released in May 2011.  He returned to the DW Stadium in September 2011, but only to train with the squad as he searched for another club.

KIRBY, Ryan
DOB: 6th September 1974
Other clubs: Brimsdown Rovers. Arsenal, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End, Crewe Alexandra, Northampton Town, Stevenage Borough, Aldershot Town, Harlow Town, Thurrock

Ryan, who started his career as a trainee at Arsenal was brought to Springfield Park on loan from Doncaster Rovers. He made his Latics League debut on 24th August 1996 against Barnet at the Underhill Stadium and the game resulted in a 1-1 draw. In total he made 5+1 League appearances without scoring. before returning to Belle Vue.

A bit of Ryan Kirby trivia – did you know that before signing for Arsenal he played in the same junior team as David Beckham?

KIRKLAND, Chris
DOB: 2nd May 1981
Other clubs: Coventry City, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Leicester City, Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday
Honours: England (1 cap)

Former England Under 21’s goalkeeper Chris was once the worlds costliest goalkeeper when Liverpool paid £6.000.000 for his services in 2001. However, injuries blighted his career and Paul Jewell decided to take a gamble on Chris, signing him on a six month loan deal on 11th July 2006 from Liverpool in order for the player himself to prove his fitness. The deal was with a view of making the deal permanent. His first game for Latics was against Iranian giants Perspolis Tehran on 25th July 2006 in an Austrian training camp game which Latics won 4-2.

Just days prior to the Premiership campaign started he made his England debut when he came on as a half time substitute for Paul Robinson when England beat Greece at Old Trafford on 16th August 2006. He made his Latics Premiership debut on 19th August 2006 against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, with Latics going down 1-2. By the end of the Premiership campaign he had made the move permanent and amassed 17 Premiership starts. You’ve guessed it, his season was cut short by injury!

The following season (2007/08) saw him maintain a clean bill of health and on 1st February 2008 he was called up into the England squad again. He missed just one Premiership game during the 2007/08 season ans at the end of it his Latics career total was 54 Premiership games played. He signed a new four year deal with the club on 21st May 2008 and by the end of season 2009/10 he had made 118 Premier League appearances for the Blues.

On 25th November 2010 Chris was loaned to Leicester City for a month after being replaced as first choice goalkeeper by Ali Al-Habsi. He returned to the club less than a week later after picking up an injury in his first training session with the Championship outfit. He recovered sufficiently to return to Leicester two weeks later and made his debut for the Foxes on 18th December 2010. The game was against Ipswich Town at a snow covered Portman Road which ended in defeat by 0-3. To add insult to injury (if you’ll pardon the pun), Chris’ former Latics team mate Jason Scotland scored Ipswich’s second goal!

After two more games, he returned to the DW Stadium only for a proposed loan move to Cardiff City for the remainder of season
to break down in February 2011.  As at the end of season 2010/11 his Latics career total read, 122 Premier League games played.

Season 2011/12 has seen him feature once for Doncaster Rovers where he teamed up with his former Latics team mate Pascal Chimbonda on loan.  After a 3-0 defeat against Leeds United on 14th October 2011,  he suffered a recurrence of his former injury forcing him to return to the DW Stadium on 17th October 2011.

He was released at the end of season 2011/12 with a Latics appearances total of 122 Premier League appearances.  He signed a two-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday on 22nd May 2012, however this was terminated by mutual consent on 12th July 2012 during pre season training.

KIRWAN, Paul
DOB: 18th July 1974
Other clubs: –

Paul arrived at Springfield Park for the start of the 1991/92 season from Preston North End for whom he had played youth football. He never played a League game for Latics but made his debut for the club on 14th November 1992 in an FA Cup first round game against Carlisle United at Springfield Park. He was a substitute replacing Andy Pilling in a game that resulted in a 23-1 victory for the Blues.

He played 1+2 games in the FA Cup that season and he also appeared in an Autoglass Trophy first round game against Blackpool in which the Blues beat the Seasiders 2-0. He was released at the end of the League campaign.

KNOWLES, Barry
DOB: 25th April 1959
Other clubs: Barrow, Altrincham, Fleetwood Town, Chorley (joint youth team coach), Blackpool (youth coach), Chester City (youth coach)

Harry McNally signed local lad Barry from Barrow in October 1984 to shore up the defence following Paul Comstive’s decision to sign for Wrexham. He made his Latics League debut on 6th October 1984 against Newport County in a home fixture that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He went on to play in the victorious team at Wembley in the inaugural Freight Rover Trophy competition at the end of the season against Brentford. He replaced the injured John Butler who had picked the injury up in the Northern Final game against Mansfield Town at Field Mill.

He went on to make 124+3 League appearances for the Blues, scoring 3 League goals before being surprisingly released at the end of season 1987/88.  He had won the Player of the Year Award at the end of the previous league campaign.

KONE, Arouna

DOB: 11th November 1983
Other clubs: Rio Sport, Lierse, Roda, PSV Eindhoven, Sevilla, Hannover 96, Levante
Honours: Ivory Coast (36 caps, 9 goals)
Eredivisie championship winner 2006 (PSV Eindhoven)
Eredivisie championship winner 2007 (PSV Eindhoven)

Arouna was signed from Spanish outfit Levante for a fee of over five million euros on 14th August 2012.  He was the club’s fourth signing of the pre season and he followed in the footsteps of Fraser Fyvie, Ivan Ramis and Ryo Miyaichi.

He had spent the previous season on loan to Levante and Latics cashed in on Levante’s financial crisis in order to land the Ivory Coast international.  The Spanish side had only signed him a month previously, but he was an asset they could not afford.  He made his Premier League debut for Latics on 19th August 2012 in the opening day defeat against Chelsea at the DW Stadium. coming onto the field of play as a 67th minute substitute for Franco Di Santo.

KOUMAS, Jason
DOB: 25th September 1979
Other clubs: Tranmere Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City
Honours: Wales (34 caps, 11 goals)

Chris Hutchings made Jason his sixth summer signing on 10th July 2007. The Welsh international signed a four-year deal at the JJB Stadium and the fee that the Blues paid to West Bromwich Albion for his services was £5.300.000. His first game for the club was on 17th July 2007 whilst the club was on a pre season training camp and the opposition were Dutch Second Division outfit FC Zwolle. Latics ran out 2-0 winners. He made his Latics Premiership debut on 11th August 2007 against Everton at Goodison Park on the opening day of the Premiership 2007/08 Premiership season.

Under Chris Hutchings Koumas enjoyed an almost unbroken stint in the team, but the arrival of Steve Bruce as manager saw him play more games from the bench and it was something of a surprise when he turned down a move to AS Monaco on transfer deadline day. He was also unable to break into Roberto Martinez’s first team plans and throughout season 2009/10 he was offered for loan to several clubs, unfortunately they couldn’t pay Jason’s wages. As at the end of the 2009/10 season he had played 32+20 Premiership games, scoring twice.

On 4th August 2010 he was loaned to Cardiff City for the whole of season 2010/11, upon his return to the DW Stadium he was released.

KUPISZ, Tomasz
DOB: 2nd January 1990
Other clubs: KS Piansenczo, Jagiellonia Bialystok
Honours: Poland (2 caps)
Polish Super Cup winner 2010 ( Jagiellonia Bialystok)

Tomasz was signed by Paul Jewell on 11th January 2007 from his only previous club, KS Piansenczo. He was bought as ‘one for the future’ and he joined another Polish youngster, Tomasz Cywka on the books at the JJB Stadium.

He played his first game for the club in a pre season training camp game against Den Bosch on 19th July 2007, replacing Jason Koumas in the 80th minute, in a game that Latics won 2-0. He played his first competitive game for the club on 26th August 2008 in a Carling Cup game against Notts County at the JJB Stadium whhich Latics won 4-0. Tomasz himself netted the fourth goal in injury time. He left the club on 7th July 2010, signing for Jagiellonia Bialystok without making a league appearance for the club.

LANCASHIRE, Graham
DOB: 19th October 1976
Other clubs: Burnley, Halifax Town, Chester City, Preston North End, Rochdale, Hednesford Town
Honours: Football League Division Four championship winner 1992 (Burnley)
Football League Division Two play off final winner 1994 (Burnley)
Football League Division Three championship winner 1996 (Preston North End)
Football League Division Three championship winner 1997 (Wigan Athletic)

Graham was signed on loan from Preston North End on 12th January 1996. He made his Latics League debut against Scunthorpe United at the Glanford Stadium in a game which the Blues lost 1-2. However, he made a good impression on John Deehan and after he had completed 5+0 League games in which he scored 3 League goals he was signed in a permanent deal. Latics paying £35,000 for his services on 8th March 1996.and by the time he left Springfield Park. Unfortunately for Latics he was injured during his first game after signing and it was an injury that he never quite got over.

The following season he was almost neck and neck with Graeme Jones in the goal scoring stakes before another injury ended his Latics career. In total he made 20+9 League appearances for the Blues during which he scored a very impressive 12 League goals. He joined Rochdale on 1st October 1997.  He is currently (March 2011) still involved in the game at grass roots level where he combines his job as a gardner with coaching Burnley’s youth teams.

LANDZAAT, Denny
DOB: 6th May 1976
Other clubs: Ajax, MMV Maastricht, Willem ii, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, FC Twente
Honours: Holland Under 21’s
Holland (38 caps, 1 goal)
Dutch First Division championship winner 1997 (MMV Maastricht)
Dutch FA Cup winner 2008 (Feyenoord)
Dutch Super Cup winner 2010 (FC Twente)
KNVB Cup winner 2011 (FC Twente)

Dutch international, Denny, arrived at the JJB Stadium on 18th July 2006. He was manager Paul Jewell’s fourth summer signing as Latics embarked on their second Premiership campaign. He signed from AZ Alkmaar on a three year deal at a cost of £2.300.000 fresh from his exploits in the 2006 World Cup tournament in Germany, with Latics beating stiff opposition from Serie A side Espanyol for his services. His first game for Latics was against Iranian giants Perspolis Tehran on 25th July 2006 in an Austrian training camp game which Latics won 4-2. Just prior to the 2006/07 Premiership season kicking off he became the first Holland international to play a game for his country whilst a Latics player. On the same evening (16th August 2006) his new team mate Chris Kirkland did likewise for England!

He made his Latics Premiership debut on 19th August 2006 against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, with Latics going down 1-2. He went on to make 29+4 Premiership appearances, netting twice, including an absolute stunner against Arsenal at the United Emirates Stadium on 11th February 2007. Denny left Latics on 25th January 2008, signing for Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be a million pounds. His Latics career total reads, 48+4 Premiership appearances, 5 Premiership goals scored.  He is currently (January 2011) plying his trade with FC Twente.

LANGLEY, Kevin
DOB: 24th May 1964
Other clubs: Everton, Manchester City, Chester City, Birmingham City, Bangor City, Halifax Town, Flint Town United, Witton Albion, Runcorn, Congleton Town, (player.manager), Kidsgrove Athletic, (player.manager), Witton Albion (player/manager), Northwich Villa (manager)
Honours: Charity Shield winner 1986 (Everton) First Division Championship winner 1987 (Everton)

Kevin was a painter and decorator when he wrote to Latics expressing his wish for a trial. He impressed sufficiently enough for Ian McNeill to offer him an apprenticeship. He made his Latics League debut (under the stewardship of Larry Lloyd) on 19th September 1981 in a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town at Springfield Park. His excellent performances during his five year period at Springfield Park persuaded Everton manager Howard Kendall to part with £120,000 to acquire his services at the end of the 1985/86 season After further moves to Manchester City, Chester City (on loan) and Birmingham City he returned to Springfield Park on 22nd September 1990, and spent a further four years at the club which has always been his ‘first love’. He was released on 31st May 1994.

He holds the club record of 307+10 League appearances during which time he scored 12 League goals. Kevin is still coaching young lads for the club, after quitting his post as Witton Albion manager towards the end of 2004. In September 2006 he became part of a four man team that was charged with running the club’s Youth Centre of Excellece, joining him was his former Latics team mate Peter Atherton, Neil Pointon and Dean Crombie.  He is currently (Sept 2011) the manager of North West Counties, Division One outfit Northwich Villa

LAWRENCE, Jamie
DOB: 8th March 1978
Other clubs: Cowes Sport, Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers, Leicester City, Bradford City, Walsall, Grimsby Town, Brentford, Worthing, Harrow Borough, Margate, Ashford Town. Ashford Town (player manager)
Honours: Jamaica (24 caps, 1 goal),
League Cup winner 1997 (Leicester City)

Jamie was signed on a month’s loan from Walsall on 19th November 2003. Tony Dinning switched to the Bescot Stadium club for a month as part of the same deal. Jamie had played for Paul Jewell whilst at Bradford City and the boss was pleased to acquire his services from Walsall who were managed by ex Latics first team coach Colin Lee. He made his Latics League debut as a substitute on 29th November 2003 against West Ham United at Upton Park, a game which the Blues lost 4-0. However, during his short spell at the JJB Stadium he made just 4 League appearances, all as a used substitute, without scoring before returning to the Bescot Stadium on 21st December 2003. Tony Dinning made the return journey.

He joined Grimsby Town in March 2004 but during Latics’ pre season game against Burscough on 28th July 2004 he turned out in a mainly reserve team which won 5-4. Following an injury to Jason Jarrett it was thought that Paul Jewell would keep Jamie at the club as cover. However, Jamie opted to go on trial at Brentford. After training and playing for the Bee’s for nothing he signed for the Griffin Park outfit on 23rd September 2004. Jamie has written a book called ‘From Prison to the Premiership’ recounting his life as a footballer and former prison inmate. He drifted into non league football after leaving Brentford.  He was last heard of (December 2009) as manager of Ashford Town in Middlesex.

LEE, David
DOB: 5th November 1967
Other clubs: Bury, Southampton, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Carlisle United, Morecambe,
Wigan Athletic (youth coach)
Honours: First Division Championship winner 1997 (Bol

ton Wanderers),
Auto Windscreens Shield winner 1999 (Wigan Athletic)

John Deehan signed David on 14th July 1997 for a fee of £250,000 and he was instrumental in maintaining Latics’ higher League status that season following their promotion from the Third Division. He made 41+2 League appearances and scored 5 League goals during the season. In the following 1998/99 season, the last at Springfield Park, he made a further 21+15 League appearances and netted another 6 League goals. However, during the first season at the JJB Stadium (1999/00) he struggled to get into the team and on 20th October 1999 he joined Blackpool on loan for a two month spell.

Whilst at Bloomfield Road he made 9 League appearances and scored 1 League goal. He arrived back at Latics at the end of December and was told that he could leave on a free transfer should he get a suitable offer from another club. By the end of the campaign, with no offer of first team football coming his way he was offered a part time job at the Centre of Excellence. In total David played 62+21 League games for Latics, scoring 11 League goals and he was released on 3rd July 2000.

The arrival of his old boss, Bruce Rioch, to the JJB Stadium meant that he was allowed to train with the club until he was offered a playing contract elsewhere and he even managed to take part in the pre season against Leigh RMI. After two trial games for Third Division side Carlisle United he impressed their manager, Ian Atkins, who offered him a one-year contract. On Wednesday 16th August 2000 he joined the Brunton Park side.

He spent three months playing for the Cumbrians until he returned to the JJB Stadium where he continued training and helping the club’s young players whilst looking for another club. On Wednesday 24th January 2001 he dropped into Non League football with Nationwide Conference outfit Morecambe. Things didn’t work out at Non League level for him and he returned to Latics in April 2001 and started working with the club’s youngsters at Christopher Park. Following the departure of Colin Greenall and Brendan O’Connell he became the youth team manager, leaving the post in 2008 to become the Assistant Academy Director at Bolton Wanderers.

LEONARD, Mark
DOB: 27th September 1962
Other clubs: Witton Albion, Everton, Tranmere Rovers, Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County, Bradford City, Rochdale, Preston North End, Chester City

Mark Leonard was one of Graham Barrow’s first signings for the club in September 1994 following the sacking of Kenny Swain. He was signed on a free transfer from Graham’s previous club, Chester City and he made his Latics League debut on 17th September 1994. The game was a home encounter against Carlisle United which the Blues lost 0-2. He was to stay at Springfield Park for two seasons during which he made 60+3 League appearances, scoring 12 League goals before being released and then moving on to Rochdale. It was whilst playing for the Spotland outfit that he picked up a knee injury that eventually finished his career.

On leaving the game Mark became an accomplished crown green bowler and in 2001 he won the Merseyside Merit tournament!

A bit of Mark Leonard trivia – did you know that Mark played for Graham Barrow on three separate occasions?

LIDDELL, Andrew
DOB: 28th June 1973
Other clubs: Barnsley, Sheffield United, Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, Rotherham United (caretaker/manager)
Honours: Scotland Future squad (1 cap), Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)

Andy was signed by Ray Mathias on 15th October 1998 from his only previous club, Barnsley, for £350,000. He followed hot on the heels of record signing Simon Haworth who had signed just two weeks earlier. He made his Latics League debut 17th October 1998 in a 0-1 defeat by Manchester City at Springfield Park in front of a sell out crowd of 6,700. The game itself shouldn’t have been played due to torrential rain damaging the playing surface and probably would not have been had it not sold out.

The next two seasons were to bring play-off heartache at Wembley and the Madejski Stadium. By the end of his fourth season at the club he became the club’s top goal scorer in a season of consolidation for the Blues. By the end of season 2002/03 he had made 177 League appearances for the Blues, scoring 61 League goals, many of them living long in memory. He was also in the club records books as the third highest goal scorer since Latics’ election into the Football League. During the Blues’ first ever season in Division One Andy became the club’s all time record League goal scorer when on Saturday 1st November 2003 he scored twice in a 5-0 hammering of Crystal Palace at the JJB Stadium. The goals brought his tally to 68, two more than previous record breaker David Lowe.

Andy became a cult figure to Latics fans everywhere and it was a very sad day when he left the JJB Stadium at the end of the season after making a grand total of 221 League appearances and scoring 70 League goals. He was the last player to play at both Springfield Park and the JJB Stadium for Latics. His leaving was truly the end of an era.

On Wednesday 29th June 2005, after just one season at Bramall Lane, he was released by the Blades and snapped up by League One outfit Oldham Athletic within hours. His Boundary Park contract was terminated in April 2009. After spending season 2009/10 with Rotherham United, he retired from the game only to return to Rotherham as caretaker manager along with former Latic Paul Warne and Andy Dibble on 22nd March 2011.

Andy was the 20th player to win the coveted Player of the Year Award, a feat he achieved at the end of season 1999/2000.

LIGHTFOOT, Chris
DOB: 1st April 1970
Other clubs: Chester City, Crewe Alexandra, Oldham Athletic, Morecambe, Leek Town, Marine, NEWI Cefn Druids, Runcorn (player/manager),

Chris was signed for a then club record fee of £87,500 from Chester City on 3rd July 1995. He made his Latics League debut, along with Dave Felgate, Roberto Martinez, Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz on the opening game day of the 1995/96 season. The Blues travelled to the Priestfield Stadium and were beaten 1-2 on 12th August 1995.

After making 11+2 League appearances and scoring 1 League goal he was surprisingly transferred to Crewe Alexandra on 22nd March 1996 for £50,000.

LLOYD, Larry
DOB: 6th October 1948
Other club

s: Bristol Rovers, Liverpool, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Notts County (manager)
Honours: England Under 23’s (8 caps), England, (4 caps),
First Division Championship winner 1973 (Liverpool),
UEFA Cup winner 1973 (Liverpool),
First Division Championship winner 1978 (Nottingham Forest),
League Cup winner 1979 (Nottingham Forest),
European Cup winner 1979, 1980 (Nottingham Forest),
League Cup winner 1980 (Nottingham Forest),

Larry Lloyd arrived at Springfield Park, as the club’s first ever player/manager as a League club, following the dismissal of Ian McNeill in March 1991. He led Latics to promotion by the end of the following 1981/82 season. In total he played 52+0 League games for the Blues before suffering a back injury which eventually finished his career. At the time he needed intensive physiotherapy and his old gaffer, Brian Clough, kindly offered Larry the run of all Nottingham Forest’s facilities and Lloyd turned up for his first session in a blazer!

In April 1983 he was sacked after a public slanging match with Latics chairman Freddie Pye and by the beginning of the following season he succeeded Howard Wilkinson as the manager of Notts County. Under Larry’s stewardship the Meadow Lane outfit suffered relegation from the Second Division that season and he was sacked in October 1984. He now runs a public house in Nottingham.

LODGE, Paul
DOB: 13th February 1961
Other clubs: Everton, Rotherham United, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Port Vale, Stockport County, Barrow, Southport, Macclesfield Town, Witton Albion, Morecambe. Bangor City, Lancaster City, Chorley, Burscough, St Helens Town, (manager), Stalybridge Celtic (asst manager), Accrington Stanley (youth coach), Chorley (manager)

Paul Lodge, a former England youth player, was signed by Larry Lloyd on a month’s loan from Everton for the start of the 1982/83 season, Latics’ first as a Third Division club. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the season, 28th August 1982, against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. The Blues lost the game 1-2 and Paul was to make 4 more consecutive League appearances without scoring, before returning to Goodison Park and then being immediately loaned to Rotherham United.

He is currently (Januarty 2011) out of the game, although he is a football coach at Accrington and Rossendale College.

LOVE, Michael
DOB: 27th November 1973
Other clubs: Hinckley Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage Borough, Tamworth, Nuneaton Borough, Hinckley United, Brackley Town, Stratford Town, Shepshed Dynamo, Rugby Town, Barwell

Michael was signed from Hinckley United for a fee of £10,000 on 12th October 1996. He made his Latics League debut a s a substitute four days later against Torquay United at Springfield Park, a game which Latics won 3-2. He only played 0-3 League games without scoring and was released by the club in January 1997.

His next port of call was Wycombe Wanderers who turned out to be the last Football League team he played for. He then had a very varied non league career and is currently (February 2012) out of the game following a spell at Barwell.

LOWE, David
DOB: 30th August 1965
Other clubs: Ipswich Town, Port Vale, Leicester City, Wrexham, Rushden and Diamonds, Wigan Athletic (coach), Derby County (caretaker/manager), Blackburn Rovers (youth development coach)
Honours: England Under 21’s (2 caps),
Freight Rover Trophy winner 1985 (Wigan Athletic)
Third Division Championship winner 1997 (Wigan Athletic)

‘Lowey’ started his career as an apprentice with Latics and is one of the Springfield Park faithful all time favourite players. He signed professional forms for the Blues on 1st July 1983 nine months after making his Latics League debut This was against Reading at Elm Park on 23rd October 1982 and resulted in a 1-2 defeat for Larry Lloyd’s team with David wearing the number four jersey. During the following four seasons he made the number seven shirt his own as he went on to make 179+9 League appearances, scoring 40 League goals before being transferred to Ipswich Town for £80,000 on 26th June 1987.

However, this was not to be the last that Latic Fanatics were to see of ‘Lowey’. After an eight year absence during which time he had played for Ipswich Town, Leicester City and had two loan spells at Port Vale he became Latics’ record signing on 28th March 1996 when he was signed from Leicester City by John Deehan in a £125,000 deal. The third time that Latics had broken their transfer record that season.

He went on to make a further 86+23 League appearances, scoring a further 26 League goals, including one in Latics’ last Third Division game at Springfield Park against Mansfield Town on the final day of the 1996/97 season. This tally coupled with his previous 40 League goals for the club, totalling 66, was an all time club record at the time, a record that has since been bettered by Andy Liddell.

David is also the proud holder of a Wigan Athletic Plauer of the Year Award that he won following the 1997/98 league campaign.

Sadly David, the players’ PFA Representative, opted not to grace the JJB Stadium as a player when he joined Wrexham on 28th June 1999 in preference to accepting a post of coaching the club’s youngsters. After a spell out of the game, he returned to Wigan for a third time on 21st June 2002 when he became the new first team coach following Colin Lee’s move to become the manager of Walsall six months earlier. David gave up a post in the PFA to take on the job and so Lowey, a Latics Legend, did after all bless the JJB Stadium with his presence.

The arrival of Mark Seagraves to the club in 2007 saw David given a new position as manager of the youth team, but following Seagrave’s defection to Derby County to join up with Paul Jewell, Lowe was overlooked for the reserve team job in favour of new manager, Steve Bruce’s former reserve team manager at Birmingham City, Keith Bertschin.

David left the club on 19th April 2008 and was replaced by Bruce’s former Norwich City team mate, Dave Watson. David followed Paul Jewell to Derby County and following Jewell’s resignation in December 2008 he became caretaker manager of the Rams for their Carling Cup Semi Final, first leg game against Manchester United at Pride Park on 7th January 2009 which the Rams won 1-0! In a twist of fate former Latics manager Chris Hutchings was the caretaker manager for the Rams’ previous game, a FA Cup third round tie at Forest Green Rovers!

Having since worke

d with the Manchester United Soccer Schools and being on the backroom staff at Tranmere Rovers, he is currently (Dec 2011) the youth development coach at Blackburn Rovers.

LOWEY, John
DOB: 7th March 1958
Other clubs: Manchester United, Chicago Sting, California Sunshine, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers, Chesterfield, York City, Preston North End, Chester City, Brisbane Lions

John was signed by Ray Mathias for the start of the 1986/87 season from Blackburn Rovers. The move from Ewood Park was probably made a bit easier for him because two of his Rovers team mates, David Hamilton and Chris Thompson also signed for the Blues with him. However after John made his Latics League debut against Notts County at Meadow Lane in a 0-2 defeat on 23rd August 1986, the opening day of the season, he only appeared in 2 more League games. Both of these as a substitute. He was loaned to Chesterfield and then York City towards the end of the season before being released at the end of the League campaign.

LYONS, Andy
DOB: 19th October 1966
Other clubs: Fleetwood Town, Crewe Alexandra, Partick Thistle, Ayr United, Morecambe, Lancaster City

Andy arrived at Springfield Park on 1st October 1993 from manager Kenny Swain’s former club Crewe Alexandra for a fee of £7,500. He made his Latics debut the following day against Chester City at Springfield Park which Latics won 6-3. He was to stay with the club until being transferred to Partick Thistle on 1st March 1996 for a fee of £35,000. In total he made 78+6 League appearances for the Blues, scoring 27 League goals in the process.

He won the Player of the Year Award at the end of the 1993/94 league campaign.

He is currently (January 2012) a coach at Blackpool’s Centre of Excellence and appears regularly in the Wigan Athletic Grand Masters team.

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