Garry Kenneth Explained

Garry Kenneth
Fullname:Garry James Alexander Kenneth[1]
Birth Date:21 June 1987[2]
Birth Place:Dundee, Scotland
Height:6 ft 4 in
Position:Centre Back
Currentclub:Lochee United
Youthyears2:2003–2004
Youthclubs1:Fairmuir Boys Club
Youthclubs2:Dundee United
Years1:2004–2012
Years2:2007
Years3:2012–2013
Years4:2014
Years5:2014
Years6:2015
Years7:2015
Years8:2015–2016
Years9:2016
Years10:2016–
Clubs1:Dundee United
Clubs2:Cowdenbeath (loan)
Clubs3:Bristol Rovers
Clubs4:Brechin City
Clubs5:Carnoustie Panmure
Clubs6:Adamstown Rosebud
Clubs8:Forfar Albion
Clubs9:Selkirk
Clubs10:Douglas Amateurs
Caps1:163
Goals1:6
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Caps3:18
Goals3:1
Caps4:5
Goals4:0
Caps7:7
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:2005–2007
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalyears3:2007–2008
Nationalyears4:2010
Nationalteam1:Scotland U19
Nationalteam2:Scotland U20
Nationalteam3:Scotland U21
Nationalteam4:Scotland
Nationalcaps1:12
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalcaps3:8
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalcaps4:2
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:10:58, 7 December 2015 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:10:58, 7 December 2015 (UTC)

Garry James Alexander Kenneth (born 21 June 1987) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a centre back for Dundee United, Cowdenbeath, Bristol Rovers, Brechin City, Carnoustie Panmure, Adamstown Rosebud and Skonto Riga. He also represented Scotland twice at full international level.

Club career

Kenneth, who was brought up in Dundee, played for Dundee United Social Club and St.Josephs, before he returned with a second spell at Dundee United Social Club.[3]

Kenneth, who is a keen Dundee United supporter and came through the Jim McLean School of Excellence,[4] made his debut for United in February 2005, playing in the 3–0 Scottish Cup win at Queen of the South. Playing in the remaining thirteen games of the season, Kenneth's introduction to league football saw eleven goals conceded in just four games. However, following the Cup semi-final win over Hibernian, his contribution helped United concede just four goals in the final six league games. Kenneth was part of the United team who lost the 2005 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic. Kenneth signed a new contract in October 2006, taking him to 2010.[5] In March 2007, Kenneth moved to Cowdenbeath on loan for the remainder of the season, after losing his place in the United first team.[6] Kenneth regained his place in the team in early 2008, playing in the League Cup final defeat to Rangers.

In mid-January 2010, Dundee United rejected a £75,000 bid from Blackpool for Kenneth, stating that the offer was "ridiculously small".[7] On 29 January, and with the transfer window coming to a close, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway confirmed that the club had made a vastly improved offer for Kenneth. The offer believed to be in the region of £500,000, was rejected by Dundee United, who after a fantastic 2009–10 season, valued the player at around £2m.[8] Kenneth helped Dundee United get to the 2010 Scottish Cup Final and started in The Terrors 3–0 win over Ross County.[9] Kenneth stated in November 2011 that he would be leaving United at the end of the 2011–12 season, in the hope of earning a move to the Football League Championship.[10]

Kenneth played as a trialist for Airdrie United in a closed doors friendly against Rangers in July 2012.

Bristol Rovers

At the end of July 2012, he signed a three-year deal with League Two side Bristol Rovers.[11] He made his Bristol Rovers début in a 1–1 draw at Plymouth Argyle on 18 September 2012, playing the full 90 minutes of the match. He made his home debut on 22 September 2012 in a 1–1 draw to Fleetwood Town. He scored his first goal for Bristol Rovers on 6 October 2012, against Northampton Town, in a 3–1 win.[12] After an injury-plagued 16 months, in December 2013 Bristol Rovers announced Kenneth had left the club by mutual consent.[13]

Later career

On 12 February 2014, Kenneth signed for Scottish League One club Brechin City until the end of the season.[14] On 21 August 2014, he signed for Junior club Carnoustie Panmure on a two-year deal.[15]

On 11 January 2015, it was announced that Kenneth had signed for Australian club Adamstown Rosebud playing in the Northern NSW NPL for the 2015 season.[16] He then joined Latvian club Skonto Riga in July 2015 before returning to junior football in Scotland, signing for Forfar Albion in November 2015.

On 15 February 2016, Kenneth signed a long-term contract with Lowland Football League side Selkirk.[17] As of 2017, he was pursuing a career outside of football.

On 5 August 2018, Kenneth signed for Lochee United.[18]

International career

Kenneth was part of the Scotland under-19 team who lost in the final of the 2006 European Under-19 Football Championship. Kenneth also played two warm-up games for the Scotland under-20s as preparation for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, featuring again in May and July 2007. Kenneth made his début at under-21 level in the 3–2 defeat to Finland in September 2007, going on to win eight caps over the next twelve months.

He was selected in the full national team for the first time along with teammate Paul Dixon for the friendly with the Czech Republic. He made his debut for Scotland in August 2010, playing 90 mins against Sweden.

Personal life

In 2018, Kenneth was working as an industrial machinery salesman whilst trying to return to football.[19]

Honours

Dundee United

2005 (Runner-up), 2010

2008 (Runner-up)Scotland U-19s

2006Personal

March 2008

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Skonto FC 1–2 FK Liepāja . Latvian Football Federation . 1 March 2021 . lv.
  2. Book: The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06 . 2005 . Cre8 Publishing . 978-0-9548556-1-1 . 20 .
  3. Web site: Garreth Kenneth. 21 February 2011. Youth Football Scotland.
  4. Web site: Dundee United Development Association. Dundee United FC. 25 September 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20120511072655/http://dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?tm=89. 11 May 2012. dead.
  5. News: Teenagers extend Tannadice stay. BBC Sport website. 11 October 2006.
  6. News: Kenneth heading for Central Park. BBC Sport website. 16 March 2007.
  7. News: Dundee United reject £75K bid for Garry Kenneth. McArthur. Euan. 18 January 2010. . 18 January 2010.
  8. News: Pool make £500,000 defender bid. Canavan. Steve. 29 January 2010. . 29 January 2010.
  9. News: Ross County 0 Dundee United 3: match report . The Daily Telegraph. London . 15 May 2010 . 6 August 2011.
  10. News: Garry Kenneth keen to leave Dundee United in May. BBC Sport. 28 November 2011. 20 July 2012.
  11. News: Bristol Rovers sign central defender Garry Kenneth . BBC Sport . 30 July 2012. 30 July 2012.
  12. News: Bristol Rovers 3–1 Northampton . BBC Sport . 6 October 2012. 8 October 2012.
  13. News: Defender leaves the club by mutual consent . Bristol Rovers FC . 17 December 2013. 17 December 2013.
  14. Web site: Garry Kenneth joins Brechin City following Bristol Rovers exit. BBC Sport. 12 February 2014. 17 February 2014.
  15. Web site: Carnoustie Panmure are delighted to announce the signing of former Dundee Utd, Bristol Rovers and Scotland International player Garry Kenneth on a 2 year deal. Facebook. 21 August 2014. 21 August 2014.
  16. Web site: Adamstown sign star Scot Garry Kenneth. 11 January 2015. 11 January 2015.
  17. News: Former Dundee United star Garry Kenneth signs for Selkirk . The Courier . 15 February 2016 . 15 February 2016.
  18. Web site: News.
  19. Web site: Garry Kenneth recalls painful journey from Scottish Cup glory to taking knocks in the Juniors as he bids to save career. Daily Record. McDermott. Scott. 8 July 2018. 5 April 2023.