Kevin Bird
Encyclopedia
Kevin Bird is a former professional
footballer who played as a defender
who played for Mansfield Town
and Huddersfield Town
.
Bird began his career as an apprentice at his hometown club Doncaster Rovers
, but was released in 1972, without making a senior appearance for the team. He then moved to Mansfield Town, on the recommendation of Mansfield assistant manager Frank Marshall
who had previously been on Doncaster's coaching staff. Bird initially joined Mansfield on a trial basis, and played well enough to earn himself a contract, and became a mainstay in the Stags' central defence for the next eleven seasons. He made his Mansfield debut in a Division Four match against Chester City
on 21 October 1972.
In his eleven seasons at Field Mill
, Bird played 450 first-team games, placing him fourth on Mansfield's all-time appearance list, and scored 63 goals. He was a member of the Mansfield teams that won the Division Four title in 1974-75
, and the Division Three title two years later
.
His final match in the Mansfield shirt came in the 3-2 defeat against Peterborough United
on 7 May 1983. Bird scored one of Mansfield's goals in that game. Two days later, he got his testimonial
against Aston Villa
on Field Mill in front of a 2,903 crowd.
In the summer of 1983, Bird signed for Huddersfield Town
. However, he only played once for Huddersfield, and retired from professional football at the end of the season, and moved back to the Mansfield area, where he played for several local non-league teams before hanging up his boots for good. He now lives in Mansfield Woodhouse
and works for a national supermarlet chain.
In May 2009 it was announced that the executive suite at Mansfield Town would be re-named after Kevin and from 27 May 2009 it will be known as 'The Kevin Bird Suite'.
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer who played as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played for 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...
and Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
.
Bird began his career as an apprentice at his hometown club Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, but was released in 1972, without making a senior appearance for the team. He then moved to Mansfield Town, on the recommendation of Mansfield assistant manager Frank Marshall
Frank Marshall (footballer born 1929)
Frank Marshall is an English former professional football player and manager.-Career:After playing youth football for Sheffield United and non-League football for Scarborough, Marshall played in the Football League for Rotherham United, Scunthorpe United and Doncaster Rovers.-Coaching career:While...
who had previously been on Doncaster's coaching staff. Bird initially joined Mansfield on a trial basis, and played well enough to earn himself a contract, and became a mainstay in the Stags' central defence for the next eleven seasons. He made his Mansfield debut in a Division Four match against Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
on 21 October 1972.
In his eleven seasons at Field Mill
Field Mill
Field Mill is a multi-use stadium in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.It is currently occupied by its main tenant, Mansfield Town.The stadium has a capacity of around 10,000 when fully open, but due to the Bishop Street Stand being closed and safety restrictions, the ground currently holds less...
, Bird played 450 first-team games, placing him fourth on Mansfield's all-time appearance list, and scored 63 goals. He was a member of the Mansfield teams that won the Division Four title in 1974-75
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
, and the Division Three title two years later
1976-77 in English football
The 1976–77 season was the 97th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League revamped the tie-breaking criteria for teams level of points, replacing the traditional goal average tie-breaker with one based on goal difference to try to encourage more scoring...
.
His final match in the Mansfield shirt came in the 3-2 defeat against Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
on 7 May 1983. Bird scored one of Mansfield's goals in that game. Two days later, he got his testimonial
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on Field Mill in front of a 2,903 crowd.
In the summer of 1983, Bird signed for Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. However, he only played once for Huddersfield, and retired from professional football at the end of the season, and moved back to the Mansfield area, where he played for several local non-league teams before hanging up his boots for good. He now lives in Mansfield Woodhouse
Mansfield Woodhouse
Mansfield Woodhouse is a large village about 2 kilometres north of Mansfield itself, in Nottinghamshire, England. With a history dating back before the Romans, it is still noteworthy for its stone built town centre...
and works for a national supermarlet chain.
In May 2009 it was announced that the executive suite at Mansfield Town would be re-named after Kevin and from 27 May 2009 it will be known as 'The Kevin Bird Suite'.