| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kirk Michael Game[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 22 October 1966 | ||
| Place of birth | Rochford, England | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1977–1984 | Southend United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1984–1985 | Southend United | 0 | (0) |
| 1985–1987 | Colchester United | 29 | (0) |
| Dartford | |||
| Chelmsford City | |||
| Heybridge Swifts | |||
| Dagenham & Redbridge | |||
| Billericay Town | |||
| Braintree Town | |||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Kirk Michael Game (born 22 October 1966 in Rochford, Essex) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender and midfielder for Southend United, Colchester United and a number of semi-professional football clubs in England.
Contents |
Kirk was raised in Essex where he played in local junior leagues as a boy for Hadleigh Town, Blenheim Sports and Leigh Ramblers. He grew up supporting Arsenal however enjoyed watching all other teams as long as they played entertaining football.
Kirk joined Southend United at the age of eleven and gradually worked his way through the playing ranks. He represented the under-18 youth team at fifteen whilst still at school and regularly trained with the first team squad during his school breaks. He signed as an apprentice at sixteen, became captain of the youth team and eventually the reserves.
He was offered a professional contract just after his seventeenth birthday by former 1966 England World Cup winning captain, Bobby Moore, then manager of Southend. Kirk's talents were soon recognised by other clubs and managers, and having just turned down a new contract he left the club for local rivals Colchester United.
Former Everton and Norwich manager, Mike Walker, then manager of Colchester, signed Kirk and it wasn't long before he made his return to his old club to secure a well earned draw. He made 29 appearances in the Football League for Colchester.[2]
After several successful seasons Kirk took up a new challenge by moving to Europe where he played in Germany.
Kirk returned to England a year later to play semi-professional for Dartford who were managed by former England manager, Peter Taylor.
He remained at non-league level for the rest of his career playing for Chelmford City, Heybridge Swifts, Dagenham & Redbridge, Billericay Town, Braintree Town.
Kirk has become a successful football coach having achieved the UEFA 'A' licence and has been a coach/manager at the well renowned Youth Academy of West Ham United F.C.
He also has many years experience as a secondary school P.E. Teacher, personal fitness trainer and has run many independent soccer schools and coaching clinics in England and the USA.