Kevin Nolan

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For the Gaelic footballer, see Kevin Nolan (Gaelic footballer). For the comic book artist, see Kevin Nowlan.
Kevin Nolan

Nolan with West Ham United in 2012
Personal information
Full nameKevin Anthony Jance Nolan[1]
Date of birth (1982-06-24) 24 June 1982[2]
Place of birthLiverpool, England
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Playing positionAttacking midfielder
Club information
Current clubWest Ham United
Number4
Youth career
1997–1999Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1999–2009Bolton Wanderers296(40)
2009–2011Newcastle United85(29)
2011–West Ham United97(26)
National team‡
2002–2004England U212(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:13, 1 February 2014 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:59, 17 April 2010 (UTC)

Kevin Anthony Jance Nolan (born 24 June 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays for and is the current club captain of West Ham United in the Premier League. An attacking midfielder, he has represented England at under-21 level.

After growing up in Toxteth, Liverpool, Nolan signed for Bolton Wanderers at the age of 16. Part of the team that beat Preston North End in the 2001 Football League Championship play-offs to gain promotion to the Premier League, he soon became a regular first-team player for the club. He scored as Bolton beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in both of his first two seasons in the top tier of English football, as well as important goals that helped Bolton regularly finish in the top half of the Premier League table. Nolan was also a first team regular as Bolton qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club's history—where they reached the knockout stages. Following the departure of Jay-Jay Okocha in 2006, Nolan was appointed as the team captain, and he led the team once again to UEFA Cup qualification and, once again, eventual progression to the knockout round of the competition.

Following the arrival of Gary Megson as Bolton manager, the team's and Nolan's performances were criticised by a section of the club's fans. This resulted in the midfielder completing a £4 million transfer to Newcastle United in the January 2009 transfer window. He formed part of the team who were relegated to the Football League Championship at the end of the season, making ten appearances as the team finished in 18th position. Nolan's performances the following season were widely praised, as he scored 18 goals—including the first hat-trick of his career—to help the club gain promotion back to the Premier League as the division's champions. Following promotion, Nolan was promoted to club captain.

In the summer of 2011 Nolan joined West Ham United on a five-year contract, joining up once again with new West Ham boss, Sam Allardyce. He was appointed captain soon after his arrival and led the team to an instant return to the Premier League.

Biography

Born on 24 June 1982 in Liverpool, Merseyside,[2] Nolan was brought up by a football playing family in Toxteth,[4] and wanted to be a footballer from a young age. He attended Liverpool Blue Coat School and by the age of 14, he was playing for the City of Liverpool's schoolboys team.[5] As a child, he supported Celtic and Liverpool,[6][7] although conversely, his favourite players were Eric Cantona and Lee Sharpe of Manchester United.[7] Nolan became engaged in 2005, and married his fiancée Hayley in the summer of 2008. The couple had their first child, a daughter, in November 2006. Their second child, a son, was born in January 2010.[8][9]

Club career

Bolton Wanderers

Nolan with Bolton

Nolan was invited to a Bolton youth team training session by a friend, and was soon signed up to the club's books. At the age of 16, he was handed a year-to-year contract, coinciding with the opening of Bolton's academy. A year later, he signed professional terms and made his first team debut.[10] He played the whole match, as Bolton Wanderers beat Preston North End in the First Division play-off, winning promotion to the FA Premier League.[11]

In the 2001–02 season, his first in the Premier League, Nolan scored eight league goals, including two at Leicester City on the opening day of the season.[2] He also scored Bolton's first goal as they beat Manchester United 2–1 at Old Trafford.[12] The following season, he scored at Old Trafford again; Nolan's only goal of the season was the winner at Old Trafford in the game which saw Bolton record their second shock win at the ground in as many seasons, this time winning 1–0.[13] Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was reported to have been seen scouting Nolan.[14] Despite that win early in the season, the club were only saved from relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season with a win against Middlesbrough.[15]

In the 2003–04 season, Nolan's goals against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur helped Bolton finish eighth in the league. He also scored as the club beat Villa 5–2 in the semi-finals of the League Cup,[16] and was part of the team that was defeated 2–1 by Middlesbrough in the final.[2][17][18] Despite this defeat, Nolan's goals—a career-best 12 in all competitions—helped Bolton to their highest Premier League finishing position in over forty years.[2][15]

The following season, Nolan was part of the team who reached the FA Cup quarter-final, before being defeated by Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton also progressed in the league, with a 1–1 draw with Portsmouth in the final game of the season, and Nolan's four league goals helping to secure UEFA Cup qualification for the first time in their history.[2][19] The club reached the last 32 of the UEFA Cup the following season, with Nolan's goal in the first round defeat of Lokomotiv Plovdiv helping the club reach the group stages. He scored the winner as the club overcame Zenit St. Petersburg 1–0 in the group stages,[20] and a further nine in the league to help Bolton finish eighth, missing out on European qualification.[2]

The 2006–07 season saw Nolan take over from the departed Jay-Jay Okocha as club captain.[10] His three league goals helped Bolton to once again qualify for the UEFA Cup. Nolan's long throw-in set up a goal, which helped Bolton achieve a 2–2 draw away against German champions Bayern Munich, who dominated the match.[21] Despite reaching the first knockout round, Bolton's league form suffered as they were pulled into a relegation fight,[22] eventually finishing the season one point above the relegation zone in 16th. Nolan scored in the 2–0 win over Sunderland in May that virtually secured the club's Premier League status.[23]

Having made 323 league appearances for the club, in January 2009, Nolan began talks with representatives of Newcastle United over a move to the north-east club, following perceived criticism of his performances by some of the club's supporters.[24]

Newcastle United

Nolan holding the Championship trophy aloft in April 2010.

On 29 January 2009, it was revealed that Newcastle had agreed a £4 million fee with Bolton Wanderers,[25] which was confirmed the next day, with Nolan travelling to Tyneside to discuss terms and undergo a medical.[26] Nolan completed his move on the same day, signing a four and a half-year contract.[27] On 22 February, Nolan received his first red card playing for Newcastle United in a home match against Everton for a two-footed foul on Victor Anichebe.[28] At the end of the season, Newcastle were relegated to the English Championship. Nolan was noted as one of the more vocal Newcastle players over the summer, demanding an end to the off the field distractions at the club, and suggesting the club should be looking to acquire players for an immediate return to the Premier League.[29]

Nolan played a key role in Newcastle's push for promotion the following season;[30] he scored his first league goal for Newcastle on 22 August against Crystal Palace,[31][32] and the first hat-trick of his career, as part of a 4–0 away win against Ipswich Town on 26 September.[33][34] Nolan captained Newcastle for the first time in a 5–1 win against Cardiff City taking over for the absent Nicky Butt and Alan Smith.[35] After an 11 game goal drought, Nolan picked up his 11th league goal of the season on 20 February against Preston North End in a 3–0 win. He followed this up with the final goal in Newcastle's 6–1 home drubbing of Barnsley two games later.[36] He was voted as the Championship Player of the Year at the Football League Awards on 16 March.[37] On 5 April 2010, Newcastle United secured automatic promotion to the Premier League, after fellow contenders Nottingham Forest failed to beat Cardiff City.[38] Newcastle took to the field hours later, in front of 48,750 fans, and Nolan scored the winner with a scissor-kick in the 2–1 win over Sheffield United.[39]

Nolan was named as the new Newcastle United club captain for the 2010–11 season, succeeding the retired Nicky Butt.[40] Nolan scored his first goals of the season as he netted a brace in Newcastle's 6–0 win against Aston Villa in their first home game.[41] On 31 October 2010, Nolan scored his first Premier League hat-trick, achieving the feat in the Tyne–Wear derby against Sunderland in a 5–1 home win.[42] Nolan scored the opener against Liverpool in new manager Alan Pardew's first game in charge on 11 December 2010, which Newcastle went on to win 3–1.[43] Nolan scored the opening goal in the second derby of the season against Sunderland on 16 January, which finished 1–1.[44] On 26 February 2011, Nolan scored his 50th Premier League goal, against his former club, Bolton Wanderers at St James' Park, which finished 1–1.[45]

West Ham United

West Ham confirmed the signing of Nolan on 16 June 2011 for an undisclosed fee on a five-year contract, taking over the vacant number 4 shirt.[46] Due to the departure of the previous West Ham captain, Matthew Upson, who moved to Stoke City, Nolan was immediately made captain. His league debut came on 7 August 2011 in a 1–0 home defeat to Cardiff City.[47] Nolan scored his first goal for West Ham on 13 August 2011 in a 1–0 away win against Doncaster Rovers; his first home goal coming on 26 November, when scored a 25-yard volley in a 3–1 win against Derby County.[48][49] On 7 May 2012 en route to the play-off final at Wembley, Nolan scored his thirteenth goal for the club against Cardiff City in a 3–0 win, sealing West Ham's Wembley appearance.[50] On 19 May 2012 he captained West Ham in the 2012 Championship play-off Final against Blackpool. West Ham won the match 2–1 with goals from Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te sending them back to the Premier League after a one season absence.[51]

Nolan continued his good form into the 2012–2013 season and scored his first goal of the season on the opening day, scoring the only goal of the game in a 1–0 win against Aston Villa.[52] On 1 September, he scored inside one minute during a 3–0 win at home to Fulham.[53] He scored his third goal of the season on 22 September, rescuing a point for West Ham by scoring in added time in a 1–1 draw at home to Sunderland.[54] On April 20, 2013, Nolan scored his 100th career goal, netting the second goal in a 2–0 home victory against Wigan Athletic.[55] Nolan wrapped up the 2012–13 season by scoring his second Premier League hat-trick in a 4–2 win against Reading on 19 May 2013. [56] This hat-trick meant that Nolan had scored 10 league goals in a season for the fourth season in succession.

Nolan started the 2013–2014 campaign by scoring in the first game of the season again, in a 2–0 home win against Cardiff City.[57] West Ham struggled in the first half of the season and Nolan's influence on games was described as "low key".[58] In December 2013 he was sent-off at Anfield in a defeat by Liverpool for a foul on Jordan Henderson.[59] After serving a three match ban he was dismissed again, in only his second match back, for a foul on Fulham's Fernando Amorebieta in a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.[60] He was fined two weeks wages, £100,000, by West Ham with manager Sam Allardyce considering removing the captaincy of the club from Nolan.[61]

International career

Nolan has previously been called up to the England Under-18s[62] and Under-21s[62] and some commentators acknowledged that he could be a future candidate for the England squad.[63] Reports have claimed that Nolan could be called up to the Republic of Ireland[62] or Netherlands squads due to his ancestry.[64]

On 12 November 2012, Nolan was quoted saying he has been left hurt by being regularly over-looked by England managers.[65]

Career statistics

As of 1 February 2014[10][66]
Season Club Division League Cup League Cup Continental Other[67] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1999–2000 Bolton Wanderers First Division 400000 40
2000–01 311420020373
2001–02 Premier League 3582020 398
2002–03 3312010361
2003–04 37921524412
2004–05 3644020424
2005–06 3693020724811
2006–07 3132111 345
2007–08 335001050395
2008–09 2001011 221
Newcastle United 1100000110
2009–10 Championship 441720214818
2010–11 Premier League 301210103212
2011–12 West Ham United Championship 43120010214513
2012–13 Premier League 35102010003810
2013–14 20400200000224
Career total 4699125422512241540104

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

Newcastle United

West Ham United

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 460. ISBN 1-85291-665-6. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Kevin Nolan Profile". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 5 April 2010. 
  3. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 22 April 2011. 
  4. ↑ Rich, Tim (22 February 2009). "Moyes admits Everton are 'close to breaking point' as injuries mount". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 7 April 2009. 
  5. ↑ O'Keeffe, Greg (24 May 2007). "When you walk through a storm...". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Kevin Nolan column". BBC Sport. 22 March 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2011. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Kevin Nolan column". BBC Sport. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2009. 
  8. ↑ "Kevin Nolan column". BBC Sport. 23 November 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  9. ↑ Lee Ryder (22 January 2010). "Kevin Nolan: We can win no matter who plays". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Kevin Nolan Profile". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 5 April 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Championship Play-Off – Final – KO 15:00". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  12. ↑ "Ricketts snatches Bolton win". BBC Sport. 20 October 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2009. 
  13. ↑ "Bolton haunt Man Utd". BBC Sport. 11 September 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2009. 
  14. ↑ "Fergie watches Nolan". Manchester Evening News. 16 February 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Club History 2000–2005". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Bolton 5–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 21 January 2004. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Season 2003/04". Premier League. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  18. ↑ McCarra, Kevin (1 March 2004). "Zenden's slip ends anguish for Boro". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  19. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (14 March 2005). "Allardyce wallows in sour grapes". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  20. ↑ "Bolton 1–0 Z St Petersburg". BBC Sport. 3 November 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  21. ↑ Burnett, Mike (8 November 2007). "Bayern Munich 2–2 Bolton". BBC Sport. 
  22. ↑ Osafo, Derek (5 April 2008). "Aston Villa 4–0 Bolton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  23. ↑ McKenzie, Andrew (3 May 2008). "Bolton 2–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  24. ↑ Roughley, Gregg (29 January 2009). "Nolan set for switch as Newcastle agree fee with Bolton". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 7 April 2009. 
  25. ↑ "Magpies set for Nolan swoop". Sky Sports. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009. 
  26. ↑ "Megson confirms Nolan deal". Sky Sports. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009. 
  27. ↑ "Nolan seals Magpies switch". Sky Sports. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009. 
  28. ↑ "Everton's Victor Anichebe feared the worse after Kevin Nolan's horror tackle". The Daily Telegraph (London). 23 February 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2010. 
  29. ↑ "Nolan calls for fresh faces". Sky Sports. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009. 
  30. ↑ Stewart, Rob (2 April 2010). "Kevin Nolan hails Chris Hughton's Newcastle 'revolution' as promotion beckons". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 18 December 2010. 
  31. ↑ "Crystal Palace 0–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2009. 
  32. ↑ Mellor, Jason (6 April 2010). "Nolan kick-starts promotion party". The Independent (London). Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  33. ↑ "Ipswich 0–4 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 26 September 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  34. ↑ Ryder, Lee (29 September 2009). "Chris Hughton hails goal hero Kevin Nolan". icNewcastle. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  35. ↑ "Match Report Newcastle 5–1 Cardiff". Newcastle United F.C. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2010. 
  36. ↑ "Newcastle 6–1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Nolan Named Player of the Year". ESPN Star Sports. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  38. ↑ "Newcastle United back in top flight!". ESPN Star Sports. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010. 
  39. ↑ Taylor, Louise (5 April 2010). "Newcastle celebrate with Kevin Nolan classic against Sheffield United". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  40. ↑ "Kevin Nolan Player Profile". nufc.co.uk. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010. 
  41. ↑ "Newcastle 6–0 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010. 
  42. ↑ "Newcastle 5–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010. 
  43. ↑ "Newcastle 3–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010. 
  44. ↑ "Sunderland 1–1 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011. 
  45. ↑ "Fifty Not Out For Nobby". Newcastle United F.C. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011. 
  46. ↑ "West Ham sign Nolan". West Ham United F.C. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011. 
  47. ↑ Da Silva, Michael (7 August 2011). "West Ham 0 – 1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2011. 
  48. ↑ "Doncaster 0 – 1 West Ham". BBC Sport. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011. 
  49. ↑ "West Ham 3 – 1 Derby". BBC Sport. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011. 
  50. ↑ "West Ham 3–0 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2012. 
  51. ↑ "Blackpool 1–2 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2012. 
  52. ↑ "West Ham 1–0 Aston Villa" BBC Sport. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  53. ↑ "West Ham 3–0 Fulham" BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  54. ↑ "West Ham 1–1 Sunderland" BBC Sport. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  55. ↑ Wigan win propels Hammers to tenth. whufc.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  56. ↑ Chowdhury, Saj (19 May 2013). "West Ham 4–3 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2013. 
  57. ↑ "West Ham 2-0 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  58. ↑ Blows, Kirk (12 December 2013). "Kirk’s Column: No tears over the loss of Kevin". Barking and Dagenham post. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  59. ↑ "Liverpool 4-1 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  60. ↑ "Fulham 2-1 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  61. ↑ Harris, Christopher (2 January 2014). "Kevin Nolan Fined £100k by West Ham For Costly Red Card Against Fulham: Daily Soccer Report". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 "Kevin Nolan – Club profile". www.whufc.com. Retrieved 4 February 2013. 
  63. ↑ "Alan Hansen's column". BBC Sport. 27 February 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2007. 
  64. ↑ Nelson, Guy (26 July 2006). "Dutch doors open to Nolan". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  65. ↑ "West Ham captain Kevin Nolan: I've deserved an England call-up | Football News". ESPN.co.uk. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-03. 
  66. ↑ "Kevin Nolan Career Stats". Soccerbase. 28 December 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2013. 
  67. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the play-offs.
  68. ↑ "Nolan picks up Player of the Month award". ESPNsoccernet. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  69. ↑ "Nolan pleased with form". Sky Sports. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2010. 
  70. ↑ "Rooney is PFA player of the year". Sky Sports. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010. 
  71. ↑ "Nolan Named Player of the Month". Football League. 1 May 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010. 
  72. ↑ "Duo in top ten player list | News | Latest News | News | West Ham United". Whufc.com. Retrieved 2013-01-03. 
  73. ↑ Ken Dyer 18 May Evening Standard

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kevin Nolan.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jay-Jay Okocha		 Bolton Wanderers F.C. captain
2005–2009 		Succeeded by
Kevin Davies
Preceded by
Nicky Butt		 Newcastle United F.C. captain
2010–2011 		Succeeded by
Fabricio Coloccini
Preceded by
Matthew Upson		 West Ham United F.C. captain
2011– 		Succeeded by
incumbent
West Ham United F.C. – current squad
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