Kevin Patrick Blackwell (born 21 December 1958) is an English former professional football goalkeeper, and is the current manager of Sheffield United. is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... This article is about the English as an ethnic group and nation. ... Soccer redirects here. ... Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. ...

Early career

Blackwell was born in Luton and began his football career as an apprentice at Cambridge United, with Ron Atkinson as his manager. After failing to make the grade at the Abbey Stadium, he moved into Non-League football, playing for Bedford Town while working as a bricklayer. He later played in the 1978 FA Vase final for Barton Rovers and for Middlesex Wanderers before being signed by Barnet. For other uses, see Luton (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Cambridge United Football Club (also known as United and The Us or simply Cambridge) is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. ... Ronald Franklin Atkinson,[1][2] commonly known as Big Ron (born 18 March 1939) is an English former football player and manager. ... The Main Stand of the Abbey Stadium The Abbey Stadium, in Cambridge, England, is a football stadium. ... Non-league football refers to football in England played at a level below that of the FA Premier League and The Football League. ... Bedford Town is a football club currently playing in the Southern League. ... The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing in the lower regional leagues of England. ... Barton Rovers F.C. are a semi-professional association football club located in the village of Barton-le-Clay in Bedfordshire. ... Barnet Football Club are an English football team from High Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet in London, England. ...

In 1980 he moved to Boston United for a fee of £5,000, saving a penalty at Wembley in the 1985 FA Trophy final. He returned to Barnet in 1986 before Neil Warnock signed him for Scarborough in November the same year. Boston United Football Club are a football club based in Boston , England. ... Wembley Stadium was a football stadium located in Wembley, London. ... The Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for clubs playing in the Football Conference, Southern League, Isthmian League, and Northern Premier League. ... Barnet Football Club are an English football team from High Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet in London, England. ... Neil Warnock (born December 1, 1948) is a football manager, currently in charge of Crystal Palace. ... Scarborough Football Club were an English football team based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. ...

That season saw Scarborough promoted to the Football League and Blackwell remained at the club for their first two league seasons, making 44 league appearances in addition to those made in the Conference. Warnock moved to Notts County in January 1989, and in November of that year he returned to Scarborough to sign Blackwell for £15,000. In just over 3 years at Meadow Lane, Blackwell never made a league appearance, and in January 1993, when Warnock took over at Torquay United, Kevin followed him, playing 18 league games in a successful battle to stay in the Football League. The Football League is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. ... The Football Conference is a football league at the top of the National League System of non-League football in England. ... Notts County Football Club is a football club based in Nottingham, England, and are the oldest of all the clubs that are now professional[1]. The team currently plays in Football League Two, of the Coca-Cola league section of the English football league system. ... Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, is an English association football club based in the seaside resort town of Torquay, Devon. ...

Coaching

At the end of the season, Warnock moved to Huddersfield Town and in August 1993, Blackwell once again joined him, this time taking on coaching duties in addition to his playing role. His playing opportunities were limited to three full league appearances, plus another two as a substitute. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. ...

In August 1995, Blackwell followed Warnock to Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer and was appointed player-youth coach. Warnock left in February 1997, but Blackwell remained at Argyle, working as assistant manager to Mick Jones. He remained registered as a player, solely as a precautionary measure, but in March 1998 returned to full-time training as emergency cover for Argyle's only keeper Jon Sheffield. He was never called upon and ended his career after 24 league appearances for Argyle. For details of the current season, see Plymouth Argyle F.C. season 2007-08 Plymouth Argyle Football Club (commonly known as the Pilgrims, the Greens, the Green Army or simply Argyle) are an English football team, playing in the Football League Championship. ... Jon Sheffield (b. ...

In June 1998, Jones was sacked after Plymouth's relegation, and a month later Blackwell also left with new manager Kevin Hodges wanting to appoint his own management team, which was understandable given how well Hodges and Steve McCall had worked together at Torquay United the previous season. ‹The template below has been proposed for deletion. ... Stephen McCall (born Carlisle October 15, 1960) is an English former football player. ...

By now Neil Warnock was manager of Bury, and Blackwell was soon appointed goalkeeping coach at Bury, eventually becoming assistant manager. In October 1998, Blackwell found himself making headlines from an incident that had happened during his time at Huddersfield. He was taken to court by the family of a girl whose arm was broken by one of his stray shots during the warm-up. Soon after Torquay chairman Mike Bateson banned his own players from shooting at the goals during the pre-match warm up and the case was delayed so an out of court settlement could be reached. For the team from Bury St Edmunds, see Bury Town F.C.. Bury Football Club are an English association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. ...

In December 1999, Neil Warnock was appointed manager of Sheffield United and took Blackwell with him as his assistant. In September 2000, Blackwell's thoughts were turned to playing again, he was still registered as a player and due to injuries was the only cover for the Blades' first choice keeper. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. ...

Management

Kevin Blackwell left Sheffield United for Leeds United to join Peter Reid as his Assistant Manager in 2003. He took over as manager of Leeds in 2004 after the dismissal of Reid. Handed the task of rebuilding Leeds' team after huge debts forced the jettisoning of its highly paid stars, Blackwell made a record number of signings for the club in 2004-05. He focused on value for money, buying players that, while talented, had not made the highest grade. Although early results were poor, perhaps affected by boardroom turmoil that saw the new board struggle to put the club onto a sound financial footing and in time led to its takeover by Ken Bates, Blackwell led the side to challenge for the playoffs, before a run of draws slowed progress, leaving Leeds in midtable. Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. ... The 2004-2005 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England. ... Kenneth William Bates (born 4 December 1931 in Ealing, London) is an English businessman and football executive commonly known as Ken Bates. ...

Blackwell had been seen as a temporary appointment, perhaps to be replaced by a more glamorous name, but his success in stabilising the team - and his initial popularity with fans - led Bates to suggest he had a long term future at the club.

In the summer of 2005 Blackwell was given financial backing and bought some high profile players for the new season. Proven strikers Richard Cresswell, Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake gave Blackwell plenty of firepower up front, while USA winger Eddie Lewis arrived to supply the ammunition. Once again Blackwell had convinced in-demand players to join Leeds. Blackwell's shrewd tactics away from Elland Road and attacking style at home (where 9 out of 10 matches were won) proved very effective and, by the end of February, Blackwell had guided Leeds to 3rd spot and an almost guaranteed play off spot, with automatic promotion remaining a possibility. The Leeds team however then produced some distinctly average performances and settled for their play-off place. This made a lot of Leeds fans disgruntled and many blamed it on Blackwell using the same tactics week in week out, with teams being able to predict this and counteract them. Richard Cresswell (born 20 September 1977 in Crewe)Nickname Big Gill is an English professional Footballer, currently playing for Football League Championship side Leeds United. ... Robert William Rob Hulse (born October 25, 1979 in Crewe, Cheshire) is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a centre forward for Sheffield United in the Coca Cola Championship. ... Robbie Blake (born 4 March 1976 in Middlesbrough) is an English professional footballer currently playing for Leeds United in the Football League One. ... Edward James (Eddie) Lewis (born May 17, 1974, in Cerritos, California) is an American footballer, who currently plays for Derby County as a left midfielder in the English Premier League. ... Elland Road is the home stadium of the football team Leeds United. ...

Blackwell took his Leeds team into the Championship play-off final, after beating Preston North End 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. However Leeds lost the final 3-0 to Watford on 21 May 2006. A string of bad results followed in both pre-season and the start of the 2006-07 and on 20 September 2006 his contract as Leeds United manager was terminated. As Blackwell left the club, Leeds were lying 23rd in the table, with seven points from eight games. The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short, or the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League. ... Preston North End Football Club are an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the second tier of English league football, The Championship. ... It has been suggested that Harry the Hornet be merged into this article or section. ... is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The new Wembley Stadium was completed in time for the 2006-07 seasons FA Cup Final. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After leaving Leeds, Blackwell travelled around Europe going to big name clubs such as Real Madrid and Inter Milan acquiring knowledge of further training techniques to help him with his management career. ^[1] On 20 November 2006, he announced he was suing Leeds United for wrongful dismissal after it was confirmed he was sacked for gross misconduct on the grounds of "negative comments made in the press about the club's finances".^[2] Real Madrid redirects here. ... Football Club Internazionale Milano, commonly referred to as simply Internazionale, Inter or Inter Milan[1], is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy, founded in 1908. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. ... Gross Misconduct is the third album from crossover thrash metal band, M.O.D.. It was released in 1989 on Megaforce Records and Noise International and follows 1988s Surfin M.O.D. It was three years until the band released another record, with Rhythm of Fear in 1992. ...

On 27 March 2007, Blackwell was announced as the new manager of Luton Town and started his first match with a draw against Burnley.^[3] Luton were relegated shortly after his appointment. Blackwell set about rebuilding the side, his priority to get in some experience. To achieve this his sold centre back Leon Barnett to WBA, and defender Kevin Foley to Wolves, as well as releasing centre back Russ Perret and £500,000 signings striker Adam Boyd, who went on to score 14 goals that season for Leyton Orient, He also Lost Markus heikkenen on a free transfer. To replace these players he brought in some high profile players such as Paul Peschlidio, Chris Perry , Don Hutchison, Paul McVeigh adn Paul furlong. He also signed players under teh age of 32, in Alan Goodall, Richard Jackson and Dave edwards. Tellingly at the end of the season, only Furlong remains a Luton player, and only Edwards was sold for money. is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Luton Town Football Club are an English football team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. ... Burnley Football Club, nicknamed The Clarets, is a professional football club based in Burnley, in east Lancashire, England. ...

After the club entered administration in late 2007 Blackwell announced he would leave Luton in February 2008.^[4] After making this statement, he was sacked in January 2008.^[5] Administration is a procedure under the insolvency laws of a number of common law jurisdictions which functions as a rescue mechanism for insolvent companies and allows them to carry on running their business. ...

Blackwell, took the position of Sheffield United manager replacing Bryan Robson on February 14, 2008 until the end of the season. He will be assisted by his former Luton Town assistant Sam Ellis.^[6] Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. ... Bryan Robson OBE (born 11 January 1957 in Chester-le-Street, County Durham) is an English football manager and former player. ... Luton Town Football Club are an English football team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. ... Sam Ellis redirects here. ...

After the Blades 2-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic on March 1, 2008, Blackwell used the word "bollocks" twice whilst on BBC Radio Sheffield to describe his team's abject performance. Since then, the team went on a five game unbeaten run drawing at Ipswich Town and winning four in a row against Plymouth Argyle, Coventry City, Norwich City and Barnsley to improve his chances of landing the job permanent. The 4-match winning streak ended to a 3-1 defeat against Preston North End. The team responded with a 3-0 victory against Leicester City, James Beattie scored his first hat-trick of the club in that game. In his first Sheffield derby as manager, the Blades showed much improved passion levels as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Beattie scoring a stunning free kick. This was followed by a 2-1 victory at Burnley with another superb Beattie free kick and a 2-0 victory over Hull when United went down to ten men at 0-0. In the penultimate game of the season, the Blades won 2-1 against Bristol City with Speed scoring a brace. With one game remaining in the season, United remained in with a chance of making the play offs, a considerable achievement after the Robson era. Sheffield United lost 3-2 on the last day of the season against Southampton, other results also went against them. Sheffield United finished 9th, 4 points off 6th place. Founded in 1905, Charlton Athletic F.C. play at The Valley, in Charlton, southeast London. ... BBC Radio Sheffield is the BBC Local Radio service for English metropolitan county of South Yorkshire and the North Midlands. ... Ipswich Town F.C. are the professional football team of Ipswich, in East Anglia, England. ... Plymouth Argyle by season: 2001/02 - 2002/03 - 2003/04 - 2004/05 Plymouth Argyle Football Club, also known as the Pilgrims and based in Plymouth, are one of only two football clubs in the English Football League to play in a principally green home strip. ... Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues due to the traditional colour of their strip (which itself is sky blue in honour of the sky blue cloth traditionally made in the city), are a football team based in Coventry, England. ... Norwich City Football Club are a football team based in Norwich, England. ... For other uses, see Barnsley (disambiguation). ... Preston North End Football Club are a professional English football team. ... Leicester City F.C., nicknamed the Foxes, are an English football team, playing in the Football League Championship. ... James Scott Beattie (born February 27, 1978 in Lancaster) is an English football player who currently plays for Sheffield United F.C. // At age 14, James Beattie attended Queen Elizabeths Grammar School, a co-educational independent school in Blackburn, Lancashire. ...

Managerial stats

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				M	W	L	D	Win %	Points per game
Leeds United		June 1, 2004	September 20, 2006	114	44	33	37	48.59	1.447
Luton Town		March 27, 2007	February 7, 2008	47	16	21	10	34.04	1.468
Sheffield United		February 14, 2008	Present	16	8	4	4	50.00	2.000

Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Luton Town Football Club are an English football team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Notes

BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of 9 channels. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Football League career stats
• Kevin Blackwell career stats at Soccerbase
• Kevin Blackwell management career stats at Soccerbase