Kevin Gall

Kevin Gall

Gall with York City in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Kevin Alexander Gall [1]
Date of birth	(1982-02-04) 4 February 1982 (age 42) [1]
Place of birth	Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [2]
Position(s)	Winger; striker
Youth career
199?–1997	Cardiff City
1997–2001	Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2003	Bristol Rovers	50	(5)
2003–2006	Yeovil Town	136	(26)
2006–2009	Carlisle United	66	(9)
2008	→ Darlington (loan)	8	(0)
2008–2009	→ Lincoln City (loan)	9	(0)
2009	→ Port Vale (loan)	7	(0)
2009	Darlington	10	(2)
2009–2010	York City	5	(1)
2010–2011	Wrexham	5	(0)
2011	FC Dallas	0	(0)
2011	Workington
2011	Guiseley	5	(0)
2012–2013	Stockport Sports
Total		301	(43)
International career
	Wales U20
2002–2004	Wales U21	8	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kevin Alexander Gall (born 4 February 1982) is a Welsh former footballer who played as a winger and striker, scoring 49 goals in 352 league and cup appearances in a 12-year career. He also represented Wales at under-21 level.

Gall, a former Welsh under-21 international, started his career with Newcastle United, before signing for Bristol Rovers. After 50 league games for Rovers, he moved to Yeovil Town in 2003. He spent three years at Yeovil, before joining Carlisle United in 2006. He had loan spells at Darlington, Lincoln City, and Port Vale, before joining Darlington permanently in 2009. He then had one-year spells at York City and Wrexham, before a brief spell in the US with FC Dallas. He returned to England to play for Workington in September 2011, before moving on to Guiseley the following month. He joined Stockport Sports in December 2012.

Club career

Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Gall played for Cardiff City as a trainee before signing for Newcastle United in 1997, who had to pay Cardiff £150,000 in compensation. ^[3] He formed a strike partnership with Shola Ameobi in the youth team. ^[4] With limited opportunities at Newcastle, he attended a trial at Lilleshall, where he was offered a contract by Bristol Rovers. ^[3] He signed on a short-term contract, before making the deal permanent in March 2001. ^[5] He played at Rovers for two seasons. He moved on to Yeovil Town in 2003, where he played in midfield, as opposed to his usual role as a striker. In an FA Cup match against Charlton Athletic, Gall ran half the pitch to set up a goal for Paul Terry. Even though Yeovil lost that match 3–2, Gall received the Performance of the Round Award the following week. ^[6] Gall was released by Yeovil in May 2006, ^[7] before signing for Carlisle United on a two-year contract in June. ^[8] He scored his first league goal against his former club Yeovil.

On 28 January 2008, he joined League Two side Darlington on a one-month loan. ^[9] His loan was extended for a second month in February, ^[10] and in March he stated he was interested in signing permanently. ^[11] In March, Gall had a trial with Major League Soccer club Toronto FC, ^[12] but he rejected their offer after failing to agree terms. ^[13] On 28 July, Gall joined Lincoln City on a five-month loan deal, ^[14] but failed to score in his time at Sincil Bank and returned to Carlisle at the start of 2009. On 24 February, he was loaned out to Port Vale, and manager Dean Glover hoped Gall's pace and tenacity would help resurrect some of Vale's season. ^[15] Despite not scoring in his seven games, Glover was keen to extend Gall's loan, however, a calf injury ruled out this option for the cash strapped club. ^[16] He was released by Carlisle at the end of the 2008–09 season and he had a trial with former club Yeovil in July. During the week before Darlington's game against his former club Port Vale, on 22 August, it was announced that the club had signed Gall on a free transfer. ^{[17] [18]} He left the bottom placed club in October 2009, having scored twice in 12 games. ^[19]

Gall signed for Conference Premier team York City on a contract until January 2010 on 10 November, ^{[20] [21]} making his debut as a 70th minute substitute in a 3–2 victory over Chester City. ^[22] He scored his first goal in a 4–1 victory over Hayes & Yeading United in January 2010 after entering the game as a 60th-minute substitute. ^[23] He later extended his contract until the end of the 2009–10 season. ^[24] He finished the season with nine appearances and one goal for York and the club announced that he would be released when his contract expired on 30 June. ^{[25] [26]}

He agreed to sign for Conference Premier team Wrexham on 1 July and he made his debut as a 90th-minute substitute in a 1–0 victory over Cambridge United on 14 August. ^{[27] [28]} His first start for the club came in a 2–0 victory at Bath City on 30 August. ^[29] However, manager Dean Saunders changed the playing system, leaving Gall in the reserves. He therefore agreed to have his contract cancelled in January 2011. ^[30]

In March 2011, Gall flew to the United States and signed a short deal with FC Dallas, ^[31] but returned to Britain after he was denied a visa. He joined Workington in September 2011 in what was described as a "major transfer coup" for manager Darren Edmondson, ^{[32] [33]} making his debut as a substitute in the club's 3–0 Conference North defeat to Hyde at Borough Park on 10 September. ^[34] After just four games and 314 minutes on the pitch for the "Reds", Gall signed a contract with league rivals Guiseley the following month. ^[35] His stay with the "Lions" was also brief, and he left the club after just five league appearances.

On 28 December 2012, he signed for Stockport Sports, ^[36] debuting the following day in a 2–0 home North West Counties League victory over Congleton Town. ^[37]

International career

Gall is a former Wales schoolboy, youth and under-21 international. He was called into the under-21 team for the game against Norway in September 2001, ^[38] and a training camp in April 2002. ^[39] He made his under-21 debut in November, scoring against Azerbaijan in a 1–0 victory, which was the team's first victory in 26 games. ^[40]

Style of play

Gall played as a striker, although he was versatile and could also play as a winger. ^[41]

Personal and later life

Gall is a devout Christian and from January 2010 onwards underwent 40 hours of tattooing to cover both his arms with religious and other symbols including Jesus, a Bible and the Virgin Mary. ^[42] He went on to work as a football consultant at agency firm Sports Management International, spotting talent from the Manchester area, Wales and the North East. ^[43] Gall is also a director of Optima Sport, which brings academy football teams from across the world to compete against academies in the UK. ^[44]

Career statistics

Club	Season	Division	League [A]		FA Cup		League Cup		Other [B]		Total [C]
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bristol Rovers	2000–01 [45]	Second Division	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	2
	2001–02 [46]	Third Division	31	3	3	0	2	0	3	0	39	3
	2002–03 [47]	Third Division	9	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	11	0
	Total		50	5	4	0	2	0	4	0	60	5
Yeovil Town	2002–03 [48]	Football Conference	13	13	0	0	0	0	2	1	15	14
	2003–04 [49]	Third Division	43	8	3	1	1	0	2	1	49	10
	2004–05 [49]	League Two	44	3	5	0	2	0	1	0	52	3
	2005–06 [50]	League One	36	2	3	0	2	1	1	0	42	3
	Total		136	26	11	1	5	1	6	2	158	30
Carlisle United	2006–07 [51]	League One	45	8	1	0	1	0	1	0	48	8
	2007–08 [52]	League One	21	1	2	0	2	0	2	2	27	3
	2008–09 [53]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		66	9	3	0	3	0	3	2	75	11
Darlington (loan)	2008–09 [53]	League Two	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Lincoln City (loan)	2008–09 [53]	League Two	9	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	11	0
Port Vale (loan)	2008–09 [53]	League Two	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Darlington	2009–10 [25]	League Two	10	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	12	2
York City	2009–10 [54]	Conference Premier	5	1	1	0	0	0	3	0	9	1
Wrexham	2010–11 [55]	Conference Premier	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Guiseley	2010–11 [56]	Conference North	5	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	7	0
Career total			301	43	19	1	11	1	21	4	352	49

A.  ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the English Football League and Conference.

B.  ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League Trophy and FA Trophy.

C.  ^ Statistics for FC Dallas, Workington, and Stockport Sports unavailable.

Honours

Yeovil Town

• Conference: 2002–03
• League Two: 2004–05

Individual

• Football Conference Goalscorer of the Month: April 2003 ^[57]

References

1. Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 225. ISBN   1-85291-665-6.
2. "FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2008/09". footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
3. Walker, Paul (21 November 2002). "Gall turns the corner with Wales". The Independent . Archived from the original on 5 January 2003. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
4. Kelly, Ciaran (9 July 2021). "Meet the man who had a Hollywood trial at Newcastle aged 14 and cost £150,000". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
5. "Gall happy to stay a Rover". BBC Sport. 27 March 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
6. "Gloves off for Kevin Gall in FA Cup Player of the Round battle". BBC Somerset. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
7. "Yeovil quartet allowed to leave". BBC Sport. 12 May 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
8. "Gall enthusiasm at Carlisle move". BBC Sport. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
9. "Quakers capture Carlisle's Gall". BBC Sport. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
10. "Gall extends Quakers loan spell". BBC Sport. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
11. "Quakers move interests me – Gall". BBC Sport. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
12. "Gall to fly out for Toronto trial". BBC Sport. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
13. Bailey, Graeme (28 March 2008). "Gall shuns MLS". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
14. "Gall signs for Imps in loan deal". BBC Sport. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
15. "Vale sign Carlisle's Gall on loan". BBC Sport. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
16. "Port Vale: Gall blow leaves Glover in loan race". The Sentinel . 26 March 2009. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
17. "Port Vale v Darlington – Teams". Darlington F.C. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
18. "Port Vale 1–0 Darlington". Darlington F.C. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
19. "Loan players return". Darlington F.C. 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
20. "Craig Nelthorpe heads for York City exit as Kevin Gall comes in". The Press. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
21. "Richard Brodie hat-trick steers York City to Chester triumph". The Press. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
22. "York City 3–2 Chester". BBC Sport. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
23. "York 4–1 Hayes & Yeading". BBC Sport. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
24. "York City make two signings – and two players go out". The Press. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
25. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
26. "York manager Martin Foyle signs up play-off starters". BBC Sport. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
27. "Wrexham recruit Morell and Gall". BBC Sport. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
28. "Wrexham 1–0 Cambridge Utd". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
29. "Bath City 0–2 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
30. "Kevin Gall's Contract Cancelled". wrexhamafc.co.uk. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
31. Epperley, Drew (2 March 2011). "Kevin Gall Joins FC Dallas Camp in Arizona". bigdsoccer.com. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
32. "Workington Reds sign former Carlisle winger Kevin Gall". BBC Sport. 9 September 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
33. Fuller, John (9 September 2011). "Ex-Carlisle United striker Kevin Gall joins Workington Reds". News & Star. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
34. "Ten man Workington reds put to sword by league leaders Hyde". Times & Star. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
35. "Striker Kevin Gall quits Workington Reds". News & Star. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
36. "Transfer Update". Stockport Sports F.C. Official Website. 28 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
37. "Gall impressed with new club". Stockport Sports F.C. Official Website. 30 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
38. "Young duo's Wales call-up". BBC Sport. 1 September 2001. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
39. "Shoulder's search for new talent". BBC Sport. 20 March 2002. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
40. "Welsh U21s win at last". BBC Sport. 19 November 2002. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
41. "Foyle impressed by versatile Gall". BBC Sport. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
42. Gallagher, Claire (27 July 2010). "Tragedy prompts Wrexham FC ace to have arms covered in religious symbols". The Leader. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
43. "SMI World · Team Member". smiworld.co.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
44. "OPTIMA SPORT". Optima Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
45. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
46. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
47. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
48. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
49. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
50. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
51. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
52. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
53. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
54. Appearances and goals for this season are taken from:
    
    Flett, Dave (14 December 2009). "Hinckley United 0, York City 0 – FA Trophy". The Press. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
    "York 3–0 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
    Flett, Dave (21 January 2010). "Newport County 0, York City 0 – FA Trophy". The Press. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
    Flett, Dave (3 March 2010). "Barrow 2, York City 1 – FA Trophy quarter-final". The Press. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
55. "Games played by Kevin Gall in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
56. "Kevin Gall Profile | Aylesbury United FC". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
57. "Conference end of season awards". ConfGuide.com. 14 June 2003. Archived from the original on 2 July 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2023.

External links

• Kevin Gall at Soccerbase