Yan Klukowski Explained

Yan Klukowski
Fullname:Yan Klukowski[1]
Birth Date:1 January 1987
Birth Place:Chippenham, England
Height:[2]
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Chippenham Town
Youthyears2:–2003
Youthclubs2:Bath City
Collegeyears1:2005–2008
College1:Central Connecticut[3]
Collegecaps1:71[4] [5] [6] [7]
Collegegoals1:24
Years1:2003–2005
Clubs1:Bath City
Caps1:14
Goals1:0
Years2:2005
Clubs2:Chippenham Town
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Years3:2006–2007
Clubs3:Chippenham Town
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:2007
Clubs4:Ottawa Fury
Caps4:16
Goals4:1
Years5:2008
Clubs5:Cape Cod Crusaders
Caps5:14
Goals5:5
Years6:2009
Clubs6:Western Mass Pioneers
Caps6:12
Goals6:1
Years7:2009
Clubs7:Chippenham Town
Caps7:2
Goals7:0
Years8:2010
Clubs8:Larkhall Athletic
Caps8:8
Goals8:6
Years9:2010–2014
Clubs9:Forest Green Rovers
Caps9:159
Goals9:48
Years10:2014–2016
Clubs10:Newport County
Caps10:66
Goals10:5
Years11:2016–2017
Clubs11:York City
Caps11:25
Goals11:3
Years12:2017–2018
Clubs12:Torquay United
Caps12:7
Goals12:0
Years13:2017
Clubs13:Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
Caps13:4
Goals13:0
Years14:2018–2019
Clubs14:Chippenham Town
Caps14:4
Goals14:0
Years15:2019–2020
Clubs15:Hungerford Town
Caps15:10
Goals15:1
Years16:2020–2023
Clubs16:Hereford
Caps16:28
Goals16:0
Manageryears1:2023
Managerclubs1:Hereford (interim)
Manageryears2:2023
Managerclubs2:Gloucester City (assistant)
Club-Update:13.24, 23 May 2023 (UTC)

Yan Klukowski (born 1 January 1987) is an English former professional footballer who was most recently assistant manager at Gloucester City.

Club career

Youth and College

Born and raised in Chippenham, Wiltshire,[8] Klukowski was educated at Sheldon School.[9] His football education began at local club Chippenham Town before moving to Bath City.[10] At 18 years of age, he broke into the first team at Bath. Klukowski turned down a new contract with Bath in July 2005 to sign a four-year scholarship with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in New Britain, Connecticut, United States.[11] [12] He had a brief stint with Chippenham Town at the start of the 2005–06 season before starting his scholarship.

At CCSU, Klukowski was the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, playing for the All Conference first team. He was named to the All-NEC first team and received second team NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region honors as a sophomore in 2006. From December 2006 to January 2007, Klukowski played with Chippenham Town, while on holiday from the United States.[13] In 2007, he led the NEC in assists and was named to the All-NEC second team and the NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region first team.

During his college years, Klukowski also played with Ottawa Fury[14] and the Cape Cod Crusaders in the USL Premier Development League.[15]

Professional

Klukowski turned professional in 2009 and joined the Western Mass Pioneers of the USL Second Division, where he played 12 times, scoring once in a 2–1 win over Wilmington Hammerheads. He was the joint seventh highest assist provider in the 2009 USL Second Division, with five.[16]

Following the conclusion of the season, Klukowski returned to England in an attempt to find a professional club to play for during 2009–10 and beyond. His first trial was provided by Carlisle United who were originally impressed and extended his trial period before deciding against offering him a contract.[17] [18] Klukowski then went on trial with Swindon Town,[19] but was not offered a contract. In August 2009, Klukowski rejoined Chippenham Town. He later joined Larkhall Athletic until the end of 2009–10,[20] scoring six goals from eight league appearances. In June 2010, he returned to Bath City on trial in an attempt to earn a contract following their promotion into the Conference Premier.[21]

In July 2010, he went on trial with Forest Green Rovers, before joining the Conference Premier club on 13 August.[22] He scored his first goal for the club in August 2010 in only his second appearance against Wrexham.[23] On 21 January 2011, he was awarded a new contract until the end of 2011–12 by Forest Green, after a number of impressive appearances.[24] After suffering an injury in the latter months of 2010–11, Klukowski was required to have surgery and returned to first-team action at the start of 2011–12. He scored his first goal of the season in a 6–1 away win over Alfreton Town on 20 August 2011, after converting James Rowe's cross.[25] On 31 March 2012, in a home match against Barrow, Klukowski scored his first hat-trick for Forest Green.[26] Klukowski ended 2011–12 as Forest Green's top scorer with 18 goals from 45 appearances.

On 12 June 2012, Klukowski signed a contract extension at Forest Green, keeping him at the club until 2014.[27] On 15 April 2014, two goals in a 2–1 away win over Macclesfield Town saw him overtake Alex Meechan as Forest Green's all-time leading Conference Premier goal scorer, a record that has since been beaten, with a total of 48 league goals for the club.[28] [29] On 28 April 2014, it was revealed that he had turned down the offer of a new contract with Forest Green in the hope he could earn a deal with a Football League club.[30]

On 20 May 2014, Klukowski joined League Two club Newport County on a two-year contract.[31] He made his debut for Newport on the opening day of 2014–15 against Wycombe Wanderers on 9 August 2014 as a second-half substitute. His first goal for Newport came in a 2–1 home defeat against Swindon Town on 23 September 2014 in the first round of the Football League Trophy, with a tap-in from Aaron O'Connor's pass.[32] He was released by Newport on 10 May 2016 at the end of his contract.[33]

On 28 June 2016, Klukowski joined newly relegated National League club York City on a two-year contract.[34] On 21 May 2017, he started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy Final.[35]

On 29 June 2017, Klukowski signed for National League club Torquay United on a contract of undisclosed length,[36] having been allowed to leave York despite having a year left on his contract.[37] He joined National League North club Kidderminster Harriers on 17 November 2017 on a one-month loan.[38]

He was released by Torquay at the end of the 2017–18 season.[39]

On 22 May 2018, Klukowski signed for National League South side Chippenham Town,[40]

Klukowski left the Bluebirds on 17 September 2019.[41] On 27 September, he then joined Hungerford Town.[42]

On 15 July 2020, Klukowski signed for Hereford.[43] On 5 February 2023, following the departure of manager Josh Gowling, Klukowski was appointed interim manager having already been serving as assistant manager.[44]

International career

Klukowski scored with a 35-yard shot on his debut for England schools, in a 3–0 away win over Scotland on 25 February 2005.[45] He represented Great Britain at World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand in 2006. He was also selected to represent the Great Britain university football team at the 2007 Summer Universiade.

Coaching career

In May 2023, he joined Gloucester City in the role of assistant manager.[46] He left by mutual agreement on 17 September 2023, along with manager Tim Flowers.[47]

Personal life

Klukowski is of Polish descent, through his grandfather.[8]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bath City2003–04[48] Southern League Premier Division5050
2004–05Southern League Premier Division9090
Total140140
Chippenham Town2005–06Southern League Premier Division7070
2006–07[49] Southern League Premier Division5050
Total120120
Ottawa Fury2007USL Premier Development League161161
Cape Cod Crusaders2008USL Premier Development League145145
Western Mass Pioneers2009[50] USL Second Division12120141
Chippenham Town2009–10Southern League Premier Division2020
Larkhall Athletic2009–10Western League Premier Division8686
Forest Green Rovers2010–11[51] Conference Premier3772011408
2011–12[52] Conference Premier461810204918
2012–13Conference Premier401132204513
2013–14Conference Premier361210314013
Total15948728217452
Newport County2014–15League Two384111011416
2015–16League Two281211010322
Total665322021738
York City2016–17National League2532050323
Torquay United2017–18National League80000080
Kidderminster Harriers (loan)2017–18[53] [54] National League North400040
Chippenham Town2018–19National League South80100090
2019–20National League South20000020
Total1001000110
Hungerford Town2019–20National League South1210000121
Hereford2020–21National League North1001060170
2021–22National League North1500000150
2022–23National League North30210051
Total2803160371
Career total390701852021343177

Honours

York City

2016–17[35]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 5 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Newport County player profiles: Yan Klukowski . Newport County A.F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20160315005506/http://www.newport-county.co.uk/team/player-profile/yan-klukowski/8 . 15 March 2016 . dead.
  3. Web site: Yan Klukowski and David Tyrie named to Hermann Trophy watch list . Central Connecticut Athletics . 19 August 2008 . 12 February 2017.
  4. Web site: 2008 Central Connecticut overall team statistics . Central Connecticut Athletics . 12 February 2017.
  5. Web site: 2007 Central Connecticut overall team statistics . Central Connecticut Athletics . 12 February 2017.
  6. Web site: 2006 Central Connecticut overall team statistics . Central Connecticut Athletics . 12 February 2017.
  7. Web site: 2005 Central Connecticut overall team statistics . Central Connecticut Athletics . 12 February 2017.
  8. News: New recruit Klukowski pays tribute to Forest Green leaders . Gloucestershire Echo . Cheltenham . 21 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160706225145/http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/klukowski-pays-tribute-forest-green-leaders/story-11902413-detail/story.html . 6 July 2016 . dead.
  9. Web site: England 2–0 Finland . English Schools' Football Association . 7 April 2005 . 6 July 2016.
  10. Web site: Steve . Whitney . Klukowski steps up a division . Pitchero Non-League . 20 May 2014 . 13 January 2018.
  11. Web site: July 2005 . Bath City F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827151741/http://www.bathcityfc.com/news_jul05.htm . 27 August 2016 . dead.
  12. Web site: May 2005 . Bath City F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827152918/http://www.bathcityfc.com/news_may05.htm . 27 August 2016 . dead.
  13. News: Klukowski signs for Christmas . Gazette & Herald . Swindon . 15 December 2006 . 6 July 2016.
  14. Web site: Jason . Stronz . Blue Devils turn to captain Yan . Inside Connecticut Sports . 28 February 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109020319/http://www.insidectsports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=970&Itemid=97 . 9 November 2014 . dead.
  15. Web site: Cape Cod Crusaders at Brooklyn Knights 0:0 . United Soccer Leagues . https://web.archive.org/web/20141020020913/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/2008/839728.html . 20 October 2014 . dead.
  16. Web site: USL: 2015 media guide . United Soccer Leagues . 84 . 6 July 2016.
  17. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_5417738,00.html "Klukowski on trial with Carlisle"
  18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/8147760.stm "Cumbrians end Klukowski interest"
  19. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_5452043,00.html "Robins looking at duo"
  20. Web site: Yan Klukowski . Larkhall Athletic F.C. . 25 June 2010.
  21. News: Yan could be the man for Bath City once again . Bath Chronicle . 24 June 2010 . 6 July 2016.
  22. News: Forest Green make eight new eve-of-season signings . BBC Sport . 13 August 2010 . 6 July 2016.
  23. Web site: Forest Green 3–0 Wrexham . BBC Sport . 17 August 2010 . 6 July 2016.
  24. Web site: Player news – ins and outs at the New Lawn . Forest Green Rovers F.C. . 21 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724172102/http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/showItem.asp?id=1203 . 24 July 2011 . dead.
  25. News: Alfreton Town 1–6 Forest Green . BBC Sport . 20 August 2011 . 20 August 2011.
  26. News: Forest Green 3–0 Barrow . BBC Sport . 31 March 2012 . 13 January 2018.
  27. News: Forest Green Rovers hand deals to Yan Klukowski and Kieron Forbes . BBC Sport . 12 June 2012 . 6 July 2016.
  28. Web site: Macclesfield Town 1–2 Forest Green Rovers . BBC Sport . 15 April 2014 . 6 July 2016.
  29. News: Yan Klukowski: Forest Green Rovers want midfielder to stay . BBC Sport . 16 April 2014 . 6 July 2016.
  30. News: Forest Green Rovers: Yan Klukowski exits with nine players . BBC Sport . 28 April 2014 . 6 July 2016.
  31. Web site: Newport County sign Darren Jones and Yan Klukowski . BBC Sport . 20 May 2014 . 6 July 2016.
  32. News: Newport County 1–2 Swindon Town . BBC Sport . 23 September 2014 . 6 July 2016.
  33. News: Andrew . Penman . Midfielder Newport County release 8 players . South Wales Argus . Newport . 10 May 2016 . 6 July 2016.
  34. News: Dave . Flett . Midfielder Yan Klukowski signs for York City following release from Newport . The Press . York . 28 June 2016 . 6 July 2016.
  35. News: Dave . Flett . York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history . The Press . York . 21 May 2017 . 22 May 2017.
  36. News: Yan Klukowski: Torquay United sign York City midfielder . BBC Sport . 29 June 2017 . 29 June 2017.
  37. News: Dave . Flett . Yan Klukowski leaves York City to join Torquay . The Press . York . 29 June 2017 . 29 June 2017.
  38. Web site: Matty . Paddock . Klukowski in on loan . Kidderminster Harriers F.C. . 17 November 2017 . 18 November 2017.
  39. Web site: Torquay United release five players and transfer list three more after National League relegation. 30 April 2018. 10 May 2018. BBC Sport.
  40. Web site: LATEST TEAM NEWS - News - Chippenham Town Football Club Ltd. 23 May 2018. 21 May 2018. Chippenham Town FC.
  41. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chippenhamtown/news/yan-klukowski-2466906.html NEWS: YAN KLUKOWSKI DEPARTS.
  42. https://www.hungerfordtown.com/news/herring-secures-double-signing--2470431.html HERRING SECURES DOUBLE SIGNING
  43. Web site: Bulls News: Ex-Forest Green and Newport player signs. 15 July 2020.
  44. Web site: STATEMENT : Gowling Leaves by Mutual Consent. www.herefordfc.co.uk. 5 February 2023. 6 February 2023.
  45. Web site: March 2005 . Bath City F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827150934/http://www.bathcityfc.com/news_mar05.htm . 27 August 2016 . dead.
  46. Web site: Klukowski and Fleetwood join Management team. www.gloucestercityafc.com. 23 May 2023. 26 May 2023.
  47. Web site: 2023-09-17 . Club Statement: Tim Flowers & Yan Klukowski . 2023-09-17 . Gloucester City AFC . en.
  48. Web site: Yan Klukowski . Aylesbury United F.C. . 6 July 2016.
  49. Web site: Player details: Season 2006–2007: Yan Klukowski . SoccerFactsUK . 6 July 2016.
  50. Web site: Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2) 3:2 (aet) Emigrantes Das Ilhas (USASA) . Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup . https://web.archive.org/web/20090826171445/http://www.usopencup.com/firstround/337209.html . 26 August 2009 . dead.
    Web site: 2009 second round: City Islanders advance after dramatic PK shootout with Western Mass Pioneers . TheCup.us . 6 July 2016.
  51. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2012 . 2011 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-70-1 . 76–77.
  52. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2013 . 2012 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-77-0 . 64–65.
  53. Web site: Y. Klukowski . Soccerway . Perform Group . 5 January 2018.
  54. News: Boston 2 Harriers 2 Report . Kidderminster Shuttle . 25 November 2017 . 26 November 2017.
    News: Report: Harriers make FA Trophy progress with victory over Boston . Kidderminster Shuttle . 28 November 2017 . 5 January 2018.
  55. Web site: Hereford FC: Matches . Soccerway . Perform Group . 7 February 2023.