Kevin Francis (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin Derek Michael Francis | ||
| Date of birth | 6 December 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–1989 | Mile Oak Rovers | ||
| 1989–1991 | Derby County | 10 | (0) |
| 1991–1995 | 152 | (88) | |
| 1995–1998 | Birmingham City | 73 | (13) |
| 1998–2000 | Oxford United | 36 | (8) |
| 2000 | 4 | (0) | |
| 2000 | Exeter City | 7 | (1) |
| 2000–2001 | Hull City | 22 | (5) |
| 2001–2003 | Hednesford Town | 41 | (9) |
| 2003–2005 | Redditch United | ||
| 2005 | Studley | ||
| National team | |||
| 1998 | Saint Kitts & Nevis | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Kevin Derek Michael Francis (born 6 December 1967) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker and was 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) tall. He is most famous for his 4-year spell at , where he scored 117 goals.
Kevin started his career at Mile Oak Rovers, before a big move to Derby County in 1989. He made 17 appearances for Derby, 15 as a substitute, scoring once in the FA Cup.
Danny Bergara spotted Kevin whilst he was playing a reserve match and immediately wanted to sign him. County paid Derby £45,000 in March 1991. He scored 5 goals as County finished as runner-up in Division Four. The following season he notched 26 as County made it into two Wembley finals, followed by 33 in 1992–93 season as Stockport made it to the final of the Autoglass Shield. In his final full season he smashed in another 30 goals as County yet again made it to Wembley, however he was to lose for a fourth time. In 1994–95 he'd already scored 13 times before he left Stockport in January 1995, for £800,000, a record at the time for County.
He did make a return to County in 2000, but it was short-lived as after just four appearances he broke his leg in a match versus Manchester City. He was released at the end of the season, a sad way to end his glorious County career.
Due to his excellent goal-scoring feats he earned the honour of "County Player of the Century". Francis appeared back at Edgeley Park on 18 July 2014 as one of 30 legends to play in Mike Flynn's testimonial match. Francis was welcomed back like a hero by the Stockport fans and stayed after the game to meet the fans. in 2002.
After leaving Stockport County, Kevin had moderately successful spell at his hometown club Birmingham City, scoring 21 times in 94 appearances. Moves to Oxford United, Exeter City (where he scored once against Lincoln City) & Hull City followed, before Francis exited the Football League and joined Hednesford Town. He finished his career off with spells at Redditch United & Studley, he retired in 2005.
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