| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin Anthony Thornton[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 9 July 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Drogheda, Republic of Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Free Agent | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Belvedere | |||
| – | Coventry City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2005–2009 | Coventry City | 50 | (2) |
| 2008 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2009 | Coventry Sphinx | 2 | (1) |
| 2009–2010 | Nuneaton Town | 1 | (0) |
| 2010– 2011 | Northampton Town | 36 | (7) |
| – | Nuneaton Town | ||
| National team | |||
| – | Republic of Ireland U21 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 07 May 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Kevin Anthony Thornton (born 9 July 1986) is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Nuneaton Town.
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A promising midfielder and product of the Sky Blues' Academy, Thornton was given a squad number for the first time in the 2005–06 season, following a productive pre-season in which he was included on the trips to Ibiza and his native Ireland. He made his debut on 20 September 2005, in a League Cup 1–0 defeat at Selhurst Park, replacing Isaac Osbourne on 83 minutes. He made sixteen Championship appearances later in the season, putting in a string of impressive displays in March and April. In a pre-season tour friendly with Portland Timbers he was sent off for an alleged stamp.[2] A fans' favourite due to his exciting style of play, Thornton scored his first goal for the club on 26 August 2006 against Hull City, but an ankle injury marred what seemed destined to be a successful season,[3] limiting him to just 13 appearances. The Irishman penned a new two-year extension to his contract in May 2007, keeping him at the club until summer 2010.[4] In 2007–08 he was limited to twenty appearances and continued to be used mainly as a substitute. He had a good run at the end of the season under new manager Chris Coleman.[5] In September 2008, Thornton signed a six week loan deal at League One team Brighton & Hove Albion.[6][7] Following a six week extension on the loan, he had played fifteen games for the Gulls before returning to the Ricoh Arena.
On 2 July 2009, Thornton left Coventry City by mutual consent.[8] Both the club and player refused to comment on this, but it is believed to be down to his court appearance the previous month.[9] He had been found guilty of failing to stop at the scene of an accident, driving with excess alcohol and without insurance or a full licence.[10][11] For his crimes he was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £2,750 and ordered to pay £260 in costs and compensation.[12] Two years earlier he had been convicted for criminal damage to a taxi after a night out in 2007. Then manager Iain Dowie having only discovered of this after it was reported in the Coventry Telegraph.[13]
In July 2009, Thornton was taken on by his former manager Micky Adams, for a trial at League Two side Port Vale.[14] He played his first game against Stafford Rangers on 25 July, topping off an impressive performance with the only goal of the game.[15] However, Adams said ""I am running a football club, not a fat club." and told him he would need to get his fitness back if he wanted a contract.[16] Thornton had previously described his relationship Adams as "lively", saying "We were best mates at times and other times we wouldn't speak to each other!".[17] Adams ended his interest the next month due to his concerns over Thornton's fitness.[18]
On 1 September 2009 Thornton re-signed with his former school boy club Boyne Rovers FC. Boyne Rovers senior side operate in the fifth Tier of Irish amateur soccer. Convinced by legendary Rovers manager Declan Kierans that his time there would be a stepping stone to bigger things Thornton played 12 times for Rovers and scored the winning goal in a 4-3 win over bitter local rivals Drogheda Town. However his stay with Rovers was marred by his alleged involvement in an all night drinking session in the notorious bar The Stags Head with a group of female lap dancers on the eve of a cup game. Kierans took severe action and cancelled Thorntons contract along with banning Danny Gartland, Jason Tuite, Darragh Traynor & Paul Dowd from the club for the rest of the season. In November 2009 Thornton left Rovers to return to England where he signed for Coventry Sphinx, who play in the Midland Football Alliance (Level 9 in England). On 7 November he scored on his debut in the 6–0 win over Cradley. On 2 December 2009 he joined Nuneaton Town on a non contract deal, playing football part-time whilst also touring the West Midlands with his indie three-piece band.
On 8 January 2010 he joined League Two outfit Northampton Town on a short term contract[19] during his time at Northampton Town, he made 24 Starts and 21 appearances, however due to lack of fitness he was released by Northampton Town on 31 August 2011
As of 27th September he has signed a one year contract with Blue Square North team Nuneaton Town although he had hoped to return to Irish League football and had been linked with a move to MDL Div 2 side The Black Bull.
Thornton is the younger brother of former Sunderland and Leyton Orient player Sean Thornton. Kevin has a partner named Geoffrey and two adopted sons named Samuel and Timmy.