Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
Encyclopedia
Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala (born 16 February 1982), often referred to as Jean-Paul Kalala or JP Kalala, is a Congolese
footballer, who plays a midfielder
for Southend United
. He started his career in France
playing for Nice
before moving to Grimsby Town
in 2005. From Grimsby he has since moved on to play for Yeovil Town
and Oldham Athletic before moving back to Grimsby on loan in 2008. He re-joined Yeovil for a second spell in 2009 and has represented Congo DR
earning seven caps.
club OGC Nice
in 1999, but it took him until 2003 to gain a promotion to the clubs first team. After only two league appearances he was released at the end of the 2004–05 season after spending six years at the club playing for both the first team and the B side.
and joined Grimsby Town
in June 2005 initially on a trial along with several other French league players. His first appearance for Grimsby, was in a 1–1 draw against Rotherham United
in pre-season in which Kalala hit the post from 25 yards. On 1 July 2005, he made his move to Grimsby a permanent one. Kalala was a regular in the first team, sitting in a central midfield role with Paul Bolland
. Kalala's early season performances helped Town to become early pace setters in League Two
.
He famously scored a goal that sent Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur
out of the League Cup
. The goal came in the 87th minute of play when Andy Parkinson
's inswinging corner connected with Kalala who volleyed home from the edge of the area. The goal saw Grimsby win the game 1–0 and setup a tie with Newcastle United
in the third round. Kalala went on to pick up five goals in the league for The Mariners, another noted strike was a 35-yard driver in a 4–0 home win over Notts County
.
Kalala eventually lost his place in the starting eleven to Ciaran Toner
, after he went to the African Nations Cup to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Kalala did not even manage to get on the pitch during the competition. On his return to Blundell Park
, he found it tough going to dislodge Toner from the first team. Mariners boss Russell Slade
had also signed Curtis Woodhouse
, another centralised midfielder who played in the same natural position to Kalala. Grimsby failed to gain automatic promotion, and thus settled for a place in the play-offs. They eventually were knocked out by Cheltenham Town
in the final, losing 1–0 at the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff
. Kalala was only an unused substitute in the game.
soon after on a free transfer, where he followed Grimsby manager Russell Slade
and goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall
to Huish Park
. After one season with the Somerset club, where he was part of the side that reached the playoff final, but like the previous season with Grimsby, he was on the losing side. Following the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, he was released by Russell Slade, the man who initially brought him to England
.
side Oldham Athletic
, signing a two-year contract for the club on 28 June 2007. He made his first team debut for the Latics on 11 August in a 2–1 victory over Swansea City
. Three days later, he would score his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Mansfield Town
in the League Cup. On 19 January 2008, Kalala returned to Huish Park in a League One clash versus Yeovil Town, his first trip back to his former club. The game ended in a 0–0 draw.
On 13 May, after returning from his Grimsby Town loan, Kalala was released by Oldham, after the club decided not to renew his contract.
's first signing as the new manager of the club. In his first game back he scored Grimsby's only goal in a 2–1 defeat against Darlington
. It was announced in late December, Newell's desire to sign Kalala on a permanent basis along with fellow loanees Adam Proudlock
and Rob Atkinson
. On 9 January 2009, Kalala began to hold talks over a permanent switch back to the club. Newell had hoped the further accusitions of fellow French speaking players Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro
and Mickael Buscher
would sway his decision to re-join the club permanently. However, due to the clubs current low league position, Kalala snubbed a permanent contract, but did however extend his loan stay with the North East Lincolnshire
club until the end of the season. Little under two months later, Kalala got injured, forcing him to spend the last two months of the season on the sidelines. He played 21 times in his loan spell, scoring twice. His final game for the club was on 11 March 2009, in a 2–1 defeat against Chesterfield
.
on 31 January 2011. He was one of seventeen players released by the team in May 2011.
with the option of a further year after impressing on trial.
Yeovil Town
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
footballer, who plays a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. He started his career in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
playing for Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
before moving to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in 2005. From Grimsby he has since moved on to play for Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
and Oldham Athletic before moving back to Grimsby on loan in 2008. He re-joined Yeovil for a second spell in 2009 and has represented Congo DR
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
earning seven caps.
Nice
Kalala, started his career with FrenchFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
club OGC Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
in 1999, but it took him until 2003 to gain a promotion to the clubs first team. After only two league appearances he was released at the end of the 2004–05 season after spending six years at the club playing for both the first team and the B side.
Grimsby Town
He then moved to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and joined Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in June 2005 initially on a trial along with several other French league players. His first appearance for Grimsby, was in a 1–1 draw against Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
in pre-season in which Kalala hit the post from 25 yards. On 1 July 2005, he made his move to Grimsby a permanent one. Kalala was a regular in the first team, sitting in a central midfield role with Paul Bolland
Paul Bolland
Paul Graham Bolland is an English professional footballer who plays for Conference National side Mansfield Town as a midfielder...
. Kalala's early season performances helped Town to become early pace setters in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
He famously scored a goal that sent Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
out of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. The goal came in the 87th minute of play when Andy Parkinson
Andy Parkinson
Andrew John "Andy" Parkinson is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward, attacking midfielder and a winger and is signed to Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Premier League....
's inswinging corner connected with Kalala who volleyed home from the edge of the area. The goal saw Grimsby win the game 1–0 and setup a tie with Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in the third round. Kalala went on to pick up five goals in the league for The Mariners, another noted strike was a 35-yard driver in a 4–0 home win over Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
.
Kalala eventually lost his place in the starting eleven to Ciaran Toner
Ciarán Toner
Ciarán Toner is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for Conference North side Guiseley. He has represented Tottenham Hotspur, Peterborough United, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Cambridge United, Grimsby Town, Rochdale and Harrogate Town...
, after he went to the African Nations Cup to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Kalala did not even manage to get on the pitch during the competition. On his return to Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
, he found it tough going to dislodge Toner from the first team. Mariners boss Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
had also signed Curtis Woodhouse
Curtis Woodhouse
Curtis Woodhouse is an English professional footballer and boxer. Woodhouse plays football as a central midfielder for Conference North outfit Eastwood Town, and competes as a light-welterweight boxer. He is the reigning International Masters light-welterweight champion...
, another centralised midfielder who played in the same natural position to Kalala. Grimsby failed to gain automatic promotion, and thus settled for a place in the play-offs. They eventually were knocked out by Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
in the final, losing 1–0 at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. Kalala was only an unused substitute in the game.
Yeovil Town
Following Grimsby's failure to secure promotion, Kalala opted to leave the club. He moved up a league and joined Yeovil TownYeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
soon after on a free transfer, where he followed Grimsby manager Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
and goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall
Steve Mildenhall
Stephen James "Steve" Mildenhall is an English professional football goalkeeper, currently playing for Millwall in the Championship.-Career:...
to Huish Park
Huish Park
Huish Park is a football ground in the suburbs of Yeovil, Somerset, England and is the home ground of Yeovil Town Football Club. The stadium replaced the club's previous ground, The Huish famous for numerous FA Cup giant-killings was officially opened on 4 August 1990, with a match against then...
. After one season with the Somerset club, where he was part of the side that reached the playoff final, but like the previous season with Grimsby, he was on the losing side. Following the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, he was released by Russell Slade, the man who initially brought him to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Oldham Athletic
Following his release from Yeovil, Kalala moved again on a free to League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, signing a two-year contract for the club on 28 June 2007. He made his first team debut for the Latics on 11 August in a 2–1 victory over Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. Three days later, he would score his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in the League Cup. On 19 January 2008, Kalala returned to Huish Park in a League One clash versus Yeovil Town, his first trip back to his former club. The game ended in a 0–0 draw.
On 13 May, after returning from his Grimsby Town loan, Kalala was released by Oldham, after the club decided not to renew his contract.
Grimsby Town (loan)
On 30 October 2008 it was announced that Kalala would return to Grimsby, He joined his former side, struggling in League Two, and at and opposite end of the table to when he left them. He joined the club on an initial loan deal until 3 January and was Mike NewellMike Newell (footballer)
Michael Colin "Mike" Newell is an English football manager and former professional footballer. As a player he notably was a member of the Blackburn Rovers team which won the Premier League in 1995, as well also playing for Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Leicester City, Everton,...
's first signing as the new manager of the club. In his first game back he scored Grimsby's only goal in a 2–1 defeat against Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. It was announced in late December, Newell's desire to sign Kalala on a permanent basis along with fellow loanees Adam Proudlock
Adam Proudlock
Adam David Proudlock is an English footballer who plays for AFC Telford United as a striker. He notably played as a professional for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday, having also featured for Clyde, Nottingham Forest, Tranmere Rovers, Ipswich Town, Stockport County, Darlington and...
and Rob Atkinson
Robert Atkinson (footballer)
Robert Guy "Rob" Atkinson is an English footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town as a defender. He has previously played for Barnsley, Scarborough, Halifax Town, Rochdale and Grimsby Town.-Barnsley:...
. On 9 January 2009, Kalala began to hold talks over a permanent switch back to the club. Newell had hoped the further accusitions of fellow French speaking players Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro is a French-born professional footballer who originates from Ivory Coast. He plays as a forward and is currently playing for Rochdale. Akpro has notably played French top flight football in Ligue 1 football for Toulouse, having also played for Stade Brestois 29, FC Brussels...
and Mickael Buscher
Mickaël Buscher
Mickaël Buscher is a French football striker, who can also play as a winger. He is currently playing for Tunisian Club Athlétique Bizertin.-Nice:...
would sway his decision to re-join the club permanently. However, due to the clubs current low league position, Kalala snubbed a permanent contract, but did however extend his loan stay with the North East Lincolnshire
North East Lincolnshire
North East Lincolnshire is a unitary authority in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, bordering the unitary authority of North Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire...
club until the end of the season. Little under two months later, Kalala got injured, forcing him to spend the last two months of the season on the sidelines. He played 21 times in his loan spell, scoring twice. His final game for the club was on 11 March 2009, in a 2–1 defeat against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
.
Bristol Rovers
Kalala joined fellow League One side Bristol RoversBristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on 31 January 2011. He was one of seventeen players released by the team in May 2011.
Southend United
On 27 July 2011, Kalala signed a one-year contract with Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
with the option of a further year after impressing on trial.
International career
Kalala was part of the Congolese 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished bottom of their group in the first round of competition, thus failing to secure qualification for the quarter-finals. In 2006 he was again part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals, but did not get on the pitch.Honours
Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
- League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
play-off final runner-up: 2005–06The Football League 2005-06The 2005–2006 season was the 106th completed season of The Football League.-Overview:In this season of Football League, Reading was the only club in England to get more than 100 points and they also have won the League Championship...
Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
play-off final runner-up: 2006–07The Football League 2006-07The 2006–2007 season was the 107th completed season of the Football League.-Overview:The Football League was contested through three Divisions in England and Wales. The divisions were the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League Two...