Keith Lowe Explained

Keith Lowe
Fullname:Keith Stephen Lowe[1]
Birth Date:13 September 1985
Birth Place:Wolverhampton, England
Height:1.88m (06.17feet)[2]
Position:Centre back
Youthyears1:–2004
Youthclubs1:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Years1:2004–2008
Clubs1:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Caps1:14
Goals1:0
Years2:2005
Clubs2:Burnley (loan)
Caps2:16
Goals2:0
Years3:2006
Clubs3:Queens Park Rangers (loan)
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2006
Clubs4:Swansea City (loan)
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2006
Clubs5:→ Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Years6:2006
Clubs6:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps6:8
Goals6:0
Years7:2007
Clubs7:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps7:8
Goals7:1
Years8:2007–2008
Clubs8:Port Vale (loan)
Caps8:28
Goals8:3
Years9:2008–2009
Clubs9:Kidderminster Harriers
Caps9:43
Goals9:4
Years10:2009–2010
Clubs10:Hereford United
Caps10:19
Goals10:1
Years11:2010–2014
Clubs11:Cheltenham Town
Caps11:111
Goals11:7
Years12:2013–2014
Clubs12:York City (loan)
Caps12:9
Goals12:0
Years13:2014–2015
Clubs13:York City
Caps13:83
Goals13:8
Years14:2016–2017
Clubs14:Kidderminster Harriers
Caps14:62
Goals14:6
Years15:2017–2019
Clubs15:Macclesfield Town
Caps15:59
Goals15:1
Years16:2019
Clubs16:Nuneaton Borough
Caps16:8
Goals16:0
Years17:2019–2020
Clubs17:Bradford (Park Avenue)
Caps17:13
Goals17:0
Years18:2020–2022
Clubs18:Kidderminster Harriers
Caps18:48
Goals18:2
Years19:2022
Clubs19:Rushall Olympic
Years20:2022–2023
Clubs20:Hednesford Town
Caps20:13
Goals20:0
Totalcaps:547
Totalgoals:33

Keith Stephen Lowe (born 13 September 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back. He made over 634 league and cup appearances in a 19-year playing career.

A Wolverhampton Wanderers academy graduate, between 2005 and 2008 he was loaned out seven times: Burnley, Queens Park Rangers, Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Cheltenham Town (twice) and Port Vale. He then dropped out of the Football League to spend the 2008–09 season as a Kidderminster Harriers player. He then spent a season with Hereford United before signing with Cheltenham Town in 2010. He was voted Cheltenham's Player of the Year in 2011. He joined League Two club York City, initially on loan, in November 2013. In January 2016, he rejoined Kidderminster Harriers before moving on to Macclesfield Town in June 2017. He helped Macclesfield to win promotion as champions of the National League at the end of the 2017–18 season. He started the 2019–20 season at Nuneaton Borough before moving on to Bradford (Park Avenue) in September 2019. He returned to Kidderminster Harriers again in January 2020. In the summer of 2022, Lowe announced he would be moving to part-time football to facilitate a career in teaching, and subsequently played for Rushall Olympic and Hednesford Town.

Career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Lowe was a product of Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy. Manager Dave Jones handed him his first-team debut on 23 August 2004, in a 4–2 win at Rochdale in the League Cup.[1] He signed his first professional contract of three and a half years in November 2004,[3] however, he was unable to claim a regular first-team place at Molineux and was first loaned out to Burnley at the start of the 2005–06 season.[4] At Burnley he scored his first goal in professional football in a 3–0 League Cup win over Barnsley at Turf Moor on 20 September.[5] Following his return in December 2005, he joined Queens Park Rangers on a one-month loan in February 2006,[6] After playing just one QPR match, he had rather more success at Swansea City in March 2006,[7] playing six matches in all, and winning the Football League Trophy. Lowe played all ninety minutes of the 2006 Football League Trophy final, as Swansea beat Carlisle United 2–1.[8]

He started the 2006–07 campaign on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion,[9] without making an appearance for the first-team. Manager Mark McGhee had Adam Hinshelwood and Guy Butters out injured, whilst Joel Lynch was a doubt and admitted that he was short of cover on the bench before Georges Santos was signed and said after Lowe arrived that "we don't think for a minute that we are signing Rio Ferdinand".[10] A two-month loan spell with Cheltenham Town started in September 2006, they appreciated him so much that he was invited back to spend the 2007 end of the season with them.[11] [12]

Lowe spent the whole of 2007–08 with Port Vale[13] and made 31 appearances as the club suffered relegation out of League One in 23rd place.[14]

Kidderminster Harriers

In May 2008, Lowe was released by his parent club.[15] He subsequently signed for Conference Premier club Kidderminster Harriers[16] and played 52 matches in 2008–09 before being released due to budgetary concerns.[17]

Hereford United

In May 2009, he signed with League Two club Hereford United, but was released at the end of 2009–10 after making 25 appearances.[18] His only goal for the "Bulls" came in a 2–1 win over Darlington at Edgar Street on 31 October.[19]

Cheltenham Town

Lowe joined Cheltenham Town permanently in June 2010,[20] becoming the club's first choice right-back before his season was prematurely ended by an ankle injury in the home defeat to Gillingham on 27 March 2011. His consistency endeared him to the Cheltenham fans who named him as their Player of the Year for 2010–11.[21] An appearance clause in his contract also ensured he would remain at the club until summer 2012.[22] He made 31 league appearances in 2011–12 to help Mark Yates' team book a place in the League Two play-off places. He was an unused substitute in the final at Wembley Stadium, as Cheltenham lost 2–0 to Crewe Alexandra.[23] On 27 October 2012, he scored two goals in a 3–0 win over Exeter City at Whaddon Road to earn himself a place on the League Two team of the week.[24]

York City

On 21 November 2013, Lowe joined Cheltenham's League Two rivals York City on loan until January 2014, with a view to a permanent transfer.[25] He made his debut two days later in a 2–1 defeat away to Southend United, and made nine appearances for York before signing permanently on 7 January 2014 on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[26] The Press voted him 'Press Player of the Year' in 2013–14.[27]

Lowe played in 49 of York's 50 matches in 2014–15, missing just one League Cup match. On 23 August, he scored in a 1–1 draw at Exeter City and was named in the Football League team of the week.[28] He won a place on the team of the week for a second time after scoring a brace in a 3–1 victory at Hartlepool United on 22 November.[29] He was once again included after scoring the only goal of the game against Accrington Stanley on Boxing Day.[30] He was voted by York supporters as the club's Clubman of the Year for 2014–15.[31] Having earlier been made available for loan under new manager Jackie McNamara, Lowe left York by mutual consent on 9 December 2015.[32]

Return to Kidderminster Harriers

On 12 January 2016, Lowe rejoined Kidderminster Harriers, now bottom of the National League, until the end of 2015–16.[33] He made his debut when starting their 1–0 home defeat to Guiseley on 23 January 2016. He scored two goals in 20 appearances as Kidderminster were relegated in 23rd place.[34] Whilst considering whether to accept Kidderminster's new contract offer or to play higher-level football, Lowe said it was "a choice between my head and my heart", implying his heart lay at Aggborough Stadium.[35] He decided to remain with Kidderminster in part due to his reverence for manager John Eustace, signing a new contract in June 2016,[36] and was named as club captain in August.[37] Lowe scored five goals in 51 appearances in 2016–17, helping Kidderminster to a second-place finish before they suffered defeat in the play-off semi-final to sixth-place Chorley.[38] He was named in the 2016–17 National League North Team of the Year, alongside teammates Zaine Francis-Angol and James McQuilkin.[39] In June 2017, Lowe was told he could leave Kidderminster on a free transfer, but remained under contract at the club.[40]

Later career

Lowe signed a one-year contract with National League club Macclesfield Town on 29 June 2017.[41] He played every minute of Macclesfield's 46 league matches during the 2017–18 season as the club earned promotion back to League Two as champions of the National League.[42] Manager John Askey left the club after this success, but his replacement, Mark Yates, had coached Lowe at Cheltenham and Kidderminster, and offered him a new one-year contract.[43] However, he featured only 17 times in the 2018–19 campaign, playing only two games after Sol Campbell took charge in December.[44] He left Moss Rose after being released in the summer.[45] Lowe went on to become one of six players – the others being Shamir Mullings, Elliott Durrell, Rhys Taylor, Jamie Grimes and Ryan Lloyd – to issue the club with a winding-up petition over unpaid wages.[46]

On 25 July 2019, Lowe joined Nuneaton Borough in the Southern League Premier Division Central.[47] He was released by the "Boro" after just two months however, on 22 September.[48] Two days after leaving Liberty Way, he signed with National League North side Bradford (Park Avenue).[49] He served the club as captain and saw an upturn in form under new manager Mark Bower, before he rejoined Kidderminster Harriers for a third spell on 4 January 2020.[50] He scored one goal in nine appearances for the Harriers in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Kidderminster in 16th-place.[51] In May 2020, he agreed a new contract to keep him at Kidderminster.[52] He made 16 appearances in the 2020–21 season, which was also curtailed early due to the ongoing pandemic.[53] He made 30 appearances during the 2021–22 campaign, including playing in the play-off quarter-final defeat to Boston United.[54] Following the conclusion of the season, Lowe announced his intention to move to playing part-time, alongside a career in teaching.[55]

On 9 June 2022, he signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Rushall Olympic, with manager, Liam McDonald, hailing it as a "massive signing".[56] On 29 September 2022, Lowe moved to league rivals Hednesford Town.[57] He played seventeen games for Hednesford in the first half of the 2022–23 season, before leaving the club in February 2023 after proving unable to recovery from an injury picked up towards the end of 2022.[58]

Style of play

Lowe is renowned for his clean play.[59] In the first 167 appearances of his career the defender received just one yellow card – given to him on 17 March 2006 whilst with Swansea. However, he picked up two further bookings in 2010–11.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wolverhampton Wanderers2004–05Championship1100020130
2005–06Championship30000030
2006–07Championship000000
2007–08Championship0000
Total140002000160
Burnley (loan)2005–06Championship16021181
Queens Park Rangers (loan)2005–06Championship1010
Swansea City (loan)2005–06League One402060
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)2006–07League One000000
Cheltenham Town (loan)2006–07League One161001010181
Port Vale (loan)2007–08League One283201000313
Kidderminster Harriers2008–09[60] Conference Premier4344050524
Hereford United2009–10League Two191201030251
Cheltenham Town2010–11League Two361201010401
2011–12League Two311201050391
2012–13League Two314201031375
2013–14League Two131102010171
Total111770501011338
York City2013–14League Two30120321
2014–15League Two466200010496
2015–16League Two161102010201
Total9283020401018
Kidderminster Harriers2015–16National League202202
2016–17[61] National League North4244051515
Total6264051717
Macclesfield Town2017–18[62] National League4612010491
2018–19League Two130001030170
Total591201040661
Nuneaton Borough2019–20[63] Southern League
Premier Division Central
80100090
Bradford (Park Avenue)2019–20National League North1300021151
Kidderminster Harriers2019–20National League North91000091
2020–21National League North1510010161
2021–22National League North2403030300
Total482300040552
Hednesford Town2022–23[64] Southern League
Premier Division Central
1300040170
Career total5473328015144363436

Honours

Swansea City

2005–06[65]

Macclesfield Town

2017–18[66]

Individual

2014–15[31]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 . 2010 . Mainstream Publishing . Edinburgh . 978-1-84596-601-0 . 258.
  2. Web site: Keith Lowe . Macclesfield Town F.C. . 14 December 2018 . 14 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181214004331/https://www.mtfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/keith-lowe/ . dead .
  3. News: Lowe signs pro contract at Wolves . BBC Sport . 23 November 2004 . 21 November 2013.
  4. News: Burnley snap up Spicer and Lowe . BBC Sport . 26 August 2005 . 21 November 2013.
  5. News: Burnley 3–0 Barnsley . BBC Sport . 20 September 2005 . 26 January 2018.
  6. News: QPR snap up Wolves pair on loan . BBC Sport . 1 February 2006 . 21 November 2013.
  7. News: Swans keep Lowe for another month . BBC Sport . 6 April 2006 . 21 November 2013.
  8. Web site: Carlisle vs Swansea City . Carlisle United F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20120229140638/http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10361~32457%2C00.html . 29 February 2012 . dead.
  9. News: Lowe agrees loan deal at Brighton . BBC Sport . 31 July 2006 . 21 November 2013.
  10. News: Lowe and behold, the centre back who couldn't get a game . 30 January 2023 . In parallel lines . 31 October 2022 . en.
  11. News: Cheltenham land Lowe from Wolves . BBC Sport . 6 January 2007 . 21 November 2013.
  12. News: Lowe makes Cheltenham loan switch . BBC Sport . 26 October 2006 . 21 November 2013.
  13. News: Port Vale pull off triple swoop . BBC Sport . 8 June 2007 . 21 November 2009.
  14. Web site: League One: 2007/08: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 9 July 2017.
  15. News: Wolves have end-of-term clear-out . BBC Sport . 9 May 2008 . 21 November 2009.
  16. News: Lowe pens permanent Harriers deal . BBC Sport . 1 September 2008 . 21 November 2013.
  17. News: Kidderminster boss releases seven . BBC Sport . 12 May 2009 . 21 November 2013.
  18. News: Hereford swoop for Harriers' Lowe . BBC Sport . 24 May 2009 . 21 November 2013.
  19. News: Hereford 2–1 Darlington . Sky Sports . 31 October 2009 . 26 January 2018.
  20. News: Five more players sign one-year Cheltenham Town deals . BBC Sport . 28 June 2010 . 21 November 2013.
  21. News: Cheltenham Town: Lowe's delight at Supporters' award . Gloucestershire Echo . Cheltenham . 7 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161204181047/http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/cheltenham-town-lowe-s-delight-supporters-award/story-11868426-detail/story.html . 4 December 2016 . dead.
  22. News: Cheltenham Town trio secure contract extensions . BBC Sport . 13 January 2011 . 21 November 2013.
  23. News: Cheltenham 0–2 Crewe . Emlyn . Begley . BBC Sport . 27 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017064555/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18135731 . 17 October 2013 . dead.
  24. News: League 2 Team of the Week . 8 October 2019 . www.efl.com . 29 October 2012 . en-gb.
  25. Web site: Keith Lowe joins York . York City F.C. . 21 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161220055944/http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/keith-lowe-joins-york-1187178.aspx . 20 December 2016 . dead.
  26. News: York City sign Cheltenham defender Keith Lowe . BBC Sport . 7 January 2014 . 4 December 2016.
  27. News: Deep Wells of love for the Minstermen . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 2 May 2015 . 4 May 2015.
  28. News: Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week 19/08/14 - 23/08/14 . 9 October 2019 . www.efl.com . 25 August 2014 . en-gb.
  29. News: Percival . Ryan . Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week . 10 October 2019 . www.efl.com . 24 November 2014 . en-gb.
  30. News: Percival . Ryan . Connor . Dan . Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week . 10 October 2019 . www.efl.com . 31 December 2014 . en-gb.
  31. News: Updated: "I think he still has more development in him" – York City boss Russ Wilcox praises Keith Lowe as he wins four Player of the Year awards . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 6 May 2015 . 22 May 2015.
  32. News: York City release Player of the Year Keith Lowe by mutual consent . Peter . Martini . The Press . York . 9 December 2015 . 9 December 2015.
  33. Web site: Keith Lowe joins Harriers . Kidderminster Harriers F.C. . 12 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602125152/http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/experienced-defender-keith-lowe-signs-contract-with-harriers-2897228.aspx . 2 June 2016 . dead.
  34. Web site: National League: 2015/16: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 9 July 2017.
  35. News: Lowe mulling over Harriers offer . Worcester News . 6 June 2016 . 13 May 2017.
  36. News: Harriers lifted by Lowe signing as club bolster defensive options . Worcester News . 30 June 2016 . 21 June 2017.
  37. Web site: Defender Keith Lowe is new Kidderminster Harriers captain . Kidderminster Harriers F.C. . 5 August 2016 . 13 May 2017.
  38. News: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Chorley 2 (Chorley win 2–1 on agg) . Nathan . Judah . Express & Star . Wolverhampton . 7 May 2017 . 13 May 2017.
  39. Web site: Kidderminster Harriers pack National League North Team of the Year . Kidderminster Harriers F.C. . 17 May 2017 . 24 May 2017.
  40. News: Harriers defender Keith Lowe told he can leave the club . Kidderminster Shuttle . 9 June 2017 . 21 June 2017.
  41. News: Keith Lowe: Macclesfield Town sign ex-Wolves and Burnley defender . BBC Sport . 29 June 2017 . 9 July 2017.
  42. News: Macclesfield Town promoted to the Football League after being crowned National League champions . Sheldan . Keay . Manchester Evening News . 21 April 2018 . 30 April 2018.
  43. News: New contract for Lowe . 20 May 2019 . BKM . 29 June 2018.
  44. News: Spellman . Damian . Sol Campbell tastes defeat in first game as Macclesfield reign begins with penalty shootout loss . 20 May 2019 . Independent.ie . 4 December 2018 . en.
  45. News: Silkmen Announce Retained List . 20 May 2019 . www.mtfc.co.uk . 19 May 2019 . en-gb.
  46. News: Macclesfield Town: Ex-players defend winding-up petition after criticism . 15 August 2019 . BBC Sport . 14 August 2019.
  47. http://nonleaguedaily.com/nuneaton-borough-sign-ex-macclesfield-defender-lowe/ Nuneaton Borough sign ex-Macclesfield defender Lowe
  48. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/nuneatonboroughfc/news/keith-lowe-leaves-club-2468528.html Keith Lowe leaves club
  49. News: Experienced Defender Lowe Joins Bradford . 4 December 2019 . Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC . 27 September 2019.
  50. News: Atkinson . Nathan . Lowe blow for Avenue as captain heads off to Harriers . 6 April 2020 . Bradford Telegraph and Argus . 4 January 2020 . en.
  51. News: National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately . BBC Sport . 22 March 2020.
  52. Web site: Lowe agrees new Kidderminster deal . Non League Daily . 22 May 2020 . 22 May 2020.
  53. News: National League Statement Outcome Of Written Resolutions. Osborn. Oliver. Vanarama National League. 18 February 2021. 18 February 2021.
  54. News: Cossali-Francis . Marcello . 'This is a low' - Penn reflects after Harriers' play-off defeat to Boston . 17 May 2022 . Worcester News . 13 May 2022 . en.
  55. Web site: Keith Lowe to Leave Harriers . harriers.co.uk . 2022-04-27 . 2022-05-17.
  56. Web site: Rushall Olympic sign former Kidderminster man Keith Lowe. Express & Star. 9 June 2022 . 9 September 2022.
  57. Web site: Lowe Makes Pitmen Switch. www.hednesfordtown.com. 29 September 2022. 1 October 2022.
  58. News: Hednesford Town Football Club - Lowe and Clements depart Pitmen . 2 May 2023 . www.hednesfordtownfc.com . 9 February 2023.
  59. News: Keith Lowe delight at signing for Cheltenham Town . BBC Sport . 29 June 2010 . 21 November 2013.
  60. Book: Tony . Williams . James . Wright . Non-League Club Directory 2010 . 2009 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-66-4 . 110–111.
  61. For FA Cup second qualifying round: News: Harriers 4 Tamworth 0 report . Kidderminster Shuttle . 17 September 2016 . 4 December 2016.
    For FA Cup third qualifying round: News: Lancaster 2 Harriers 3 report . Kidderminster Shuttle . 1 October 2016 . 4 December 2016.
    For FA Trophy third qualifying round: News: Report: Truslove double helps Harriers make FA Trophy progress . Kidderminster Shuttle . 26 November 2016 . 4 December 2016.
  62. Web site: K. Lowe: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 30 April 2018.
  63. Web site: Keith Lowe Profile Aylesbury United FC . www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk . 4 December 2019.
  64. Web site: Keith Lowe Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive . www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com . 2 May 2023.
  65. News: Carlisle 1–2 Swansea . BBC Sport . 2 April 2006 . 14 December 2018.
  66. Book: John . Anderson . Football Yearbook 2018–2019 . 2018 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-6106-9 . 642–643.