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Kyle Letheren
Letheren playing for York City in 2017
Personal information
Full name Kyle Charles Letheren[1]
Date of birth (1987-12-26) 26 December 1987 (age 36)[2]
Place of birth Llanelli, Wales
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper[4]
Youth career
0000–2005 Swansea City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Swansea City 0 (0)
2005 → Newport County (loan) 1 (0)
2006–2009 Barnsley 0 (0)
2009 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 0 (0)
2009 Plymouth Argyle 0 (0)
2010–2013 Kilmarnock 11 (0)
2013–2015 Dundee 50 (0)
2015–2016 Blackpool 5 (0)
2016–2017 York City 28 (0)
2017–2019 Plymouth Argyle 20 (0)
2019–2020 Salford City 19 (0)
2020–2021 Chesterfield 13 (0)
2021–2022 Morecambe 33 (0)
2022–2023 Hartlepool United 0 (0)
Total 180 (0)
International career
2007 Wales U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kyle Charles Letheren (born 26 December 1987) is a Welsh former professional footballer and goalkeeper coach. He is currently a goalkeeper coach at Doncaster Rovers.

He has played in the Scottish Premier League for Kilmarnock, in the Scottish Premiership for Dundee, and in the English Football League for Blackpool, Plymouth Argyle, Salford City and Morecambe.

Playing career

Early career

Letheren was born in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.[5] He began his career as a trainee at Swansea City,[6] spending time on loan at Newport County in 2005.[7] He did not make an appearance for the first-team before being released in the summer of 2006.[citation needed]

He subsequently joined Barnsley.[8] Having arrived at Barnsley on a short-term deal, Letheren then signed a new deal to keep him at Oakwell until 2008[9] Two years after joining the club, he made his debut in the third round of the FA Cup against Blackpool on 5 January 2008, as a half-time substitute, replacing the injured Heinz Müller. At 1–0 down 'the Tykes' went on to win the game 2–1.[10]

He was loaned to Doncaster Rovers for the second half of the 2008–09 season as cover for veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan,[11] but he did not make an appearance for them.[citation needed]

He was released from his contract in the summer of 2009[12] and then signed a short-term contract with Plymouth Argyle in the Championship to provide cover for Romain Larrieu.[13]

On 31 December 2009, Letheren was released from Plymouth Argyle after his contract expired.[14] In April 2010, he agreed to join Motherwell until the end of the season as an emergency goalkeeper,[15] but the Scottish Premier League blocked the move as they were deemed to have enough goalkeepers.[16] He remained at Fir Park to train with the squad for the remainder of the season.

Kilmarnock

Letheren warming up for Kilmarnock in 2012

Letheren signed for Kilmarnock in August 2010, to provide backup to Cammy Bell.[17] Letheren failed to make an appearance for Kilmarnock in his first season, mostly down to the form of Bell. In 2011–12, he was handed his Scottish Premier League debut as a half time substitute for the injured Bell, ironically against Motherwell, at 0–0 and Kilmarnock went on to win the game 2–0. Later that year he was handed his full SPL debut away to Dunfermline Athletic, in a 2–1 win.

During the 2012–13 season, Cammy Bell suffered an injury leading to Letheren having a run in the first team. That run lasted until mid-October, when Bell returned. His second run in the first team came in early-February, when he played twice, he was involved in a 2–0 win over motherwell & in what was his last appearance for the club, a 1–1 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[18]

With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, he left Kilmarnock by mutual consent in April 2013.[19]

Dundee

After leaving Kilmarnock, Letheren was linked with a move to South African side Ajax Cape Town.[20] Letheren went on trial with Dundee, with Manager John Brown saying he had done well.[21] After making an appearance in a pre-season friendly, as a trialist, during which he suffered a thigh injury,[22] it was then announced on 9 July 2013, that Letheren had signed a contract with Dundee.[23]

Letheren played as first-choice goalkeeper for Dundee throughout all of the 2013–14 season. He was voted supporter's association Player of the Year after pulling off a match-winning save in the dying moment of the final game of the season to secure Dundee the Scottish Championship title.[24] Letheren played the first ten matches at the start of the 2014–15 season before injuring his knee in a warm up against Motherwell.[25] It was later announced that he would be out until December.[26] After making his return against Partick Thistle and St Mirren, Letheren was once again sidelined after suffering an injury in the warm-up ahead of the Dundee derby against Dundee United, which allowed Arvid Schenk to take his place, although Schenk went on to concede six goals, in a 6–2 loss.[27] Though he recovered from his injury, Letheren lost his first choice goalkeeper status to Scott Bain throughout the season. However, Letheren was given a chance to play the last three matches at the end of the season following Bain's injury.[28]

At the end of the 2014–15 season, it was announced that Letheren was being released by the club upon the expiry of his contract.[29] Following his release, Letheren was linked with a move to Championship club Bristol City.[30] Letheren explained the reason for his release, saying he wanted regular first team football in the hope of securing a place in the national team.[31]

Blackpool and York City

Letheren returned to England, agreeing a deal to join League One club Blackpool on 1 July 2015, signing a two-year contract, with an option for a further year.[32]

Letheren's contract with Blackpool was terminated by mutual consent on 25 August 2016 in order for him to join National League club York City.[33] He was signed shortly after York suspended goalkeeper Scott Flinders.[34] On 21 May 2017, Letheren started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy final.[35] He was released at the end of 2016–17.[36]

Plymouth Argyle and Salford City

Letheren warming up for Hartlepool United in 2022

Letheren re-signed for League One club Plymouth Argyle on 5 September 2017 on a free transfer.[37] He made his first appearance for Argyle on 26 September, over eight years after he first signed for the club.[38] He was offered a new contract by Plymouth at the end of the 2017–18 season.[39]

He was again offered a new contract by Argyle at the end of the 2018–19 season,[40] but turned it down after new manager Ryan Lowe stated he wanted to bring in a new goalkeeper whether Letheren stayed or not.[41]

Letheren signed for newly promoted League Two club Salford City on 16 July 2019 on a one-year contract.[42] He was released at the end of the 2019–20 season.[43]

Chesterfield

On 28 August 2020, Letheren signed for National League side Chesterfield.[44] On 24 January 2021, Letheren left the club by mutual consent.[45]

Morecambe

On 26 January 2021, Letheren signed for League Two side Morecambe.[46] In June 2021, following Morecambe's promotion to League One, Letheren signed a one-year deal with the club.[47] On 8 February 2022, Letheren left the Shrimps by mutual consent.[48]

Hartlepool United

On 16 June 2022, Letheren signed as player and goalkeeper coach for League Two side Hartlepool United.[49] He made his Hartlepool debut in a 6–0 home defeat to Everton U21s in the EFL Trophy.[50] In June 2023, he left the club by mutual consent.[51]

Coaching career

After leaving Hartlepool at the end of the 2022–23 season, he announced his retirement from playing on 9 June 2023.[52] Letheren was then appointed as the new goalkeeper coach for Doncaster Rovers.[53]

International career

Letheren has represented Wales at schoolboy level and at under-21 level.[54]

On 27 August 2014, Wales manager Chris Coleman announced his first UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying squad and Letheren was called up to the Wales senior squad for their first qualifying match in Andorra after an impressive start to the 2014–15 season with Dundee in which he conceded just two goals in four league matches.[55]

Personal life

He is the son of former Leeds United goalkeeper Glan Letheren.[56]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Swansea City 2005–06[57] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Newport County (loan) 2005–06[58] Conference South 1 0 — — — 1 0
Barnsley 2006–07[59] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2007–08[60] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
2008–09[61] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2008–09[61] Championship 0 0 — — — 0 0
Plymouth Argyle 2009–10[62] Championship 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
Kilmarnock 2010–11[63] Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2011–12[64] Scottish Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2012–13[65] Scottish Premier League 9 0 0 0 1 0 — 10 0
Total 11 0 0 0 1 0 — 12 0
Dundee 2013–14[66] Scottish Championship 35 0 1 0 2 0 1[c] 0 39 0
2014–15[67] Scottish Premiership 15 0 0 0 2 0 — 17 0
Total 50 0 1 0 4 0 1 0 56 0
Blackpool 2015–16[68] League One 5 0 1 0 1 0 1[d] 0 8 0
2016–17[69] League Two 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
Total 5 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
York City 2016–17[70] National League 28 0 1 0 — 7[e] 0 36 0
Plymouth Argyle 2017–18[71] League One 7 0 0 0 — 1[f] 0 8 0
2018–19[72] League One 13 0 0 0 0 0 2[f] 0 15 0
Total 20 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 23 0
Salford City 2019–20[73] League Two 19 0 0 0 0 0 3[f] 0 22 0
Chesterfield 2020–21[74] National League 13 0 1 0 0 0 1[e] 0 15 0
Morecambe 2020–21[70] League Two 21 0 0 0 0 0 3[g] 0 24 0
2021–22[75] League One 12 0 1 0 0 0 1[f] 0 14 0
Total 33 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 38 0
Hartlepool United 2022–23[76] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[f] 0 1 0
Career total 153 0 3 0 6 0 17 0 182 0
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup, Football League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy
  6. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  7. ^ Appearances in EFL League Two play-offs

Honours

Kilmarnock

Dundee

York City

Morecambe

References

  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Kyle Letheren". ESPN. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Kyle Letheren". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Kyle Letheren: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Kyle Letheran". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  6. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 260. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  7. ^ "Swansea loan Letheren to Newport". BBC Sport. 25 November 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Letheren pens Tykes deal". Sky Sports. 4 August 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Fresh deals for Tykes duo". Sky Sports. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  10. ^ "Barnsley 2–1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Doncaster sign Letheren on loan". BBC Sport. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  12. ^ "Quartet to leave Oakwell". Sky Sports. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Plymouth sign goalkeeper Letheren". BBC Sport. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  14. ^ "Pilgrims let trio leave". Sky Sports. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Goalkeeper Kyle Letheren agrees Motherwell deal". BBC Sport. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  16. ^ "SPL block Letheren's Motherwell move". STV. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  17. ^ "Goalkeeper Kyle Letheren joins Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  18. ^ "Inverness CT 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Goalkeeper Kyle Letherem ends three-year spell with Kilmarnock". Sky Sports. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  20. ^ "Ajax consider Welsh keeper". Kick Off. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Dundee boss John Brown has to wait before making any signings". The Courier. Dundee. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  22. ^ "Dark Blues boss impressed as trialists get among goals". The Courier. Dundee. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Kyle is a Dee". Dundee F.C. 9 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  24. ^ "De Vries Trophy in safe hands". Dundee F.C. 4 May 2014. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
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  26. ^ "Keeper blow for Dundee as Letheren ruled out until December". Evening Telegraph. Dundee. 22 October 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  27. ^ "Dundee United 6–2 Dundee". BBC Sport. 1 January 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  28. ^ "Dundee keeper Bain's season over but door opens for Roberts". Evening Telegraph. Dundee. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  29. ^ "Dundee confirm goalkeeper Kyle Letheren's exit". BBC Sport. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  30. ^ "Bristol City offer ex-Dundee keeper Kyle Letheren contract". Evening Telegraph. Dundee. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  31. ^ "Former Swan Kyle Letheren weighing up offers as he eyes Euro 2016". South Wales Evening Post. Swansea. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  32. ^ "Letheren pens deal". Blackpool F.C. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  33. ^ "Kyle Letheren: Blackpool goalkeeper signs for York City". BBC Sport. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  34. ^ Flett, Dave (25 August 2016). "York City sign Blackpool goalkeeper Kyle Letheren". The Press. York. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  35. ^ Flett, Dave (21 May 2017). "York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history". The Press. York. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  36. ^ Flett, Dave (27 June 2017). ""Two or three" more signings in offing but Jon Worsnop arrival spells end for Kyle Letheren and Luke Simpson's York City careers". The Press. York. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  37. ^ "Kyle Letheren: Plymouth Argyle re-sign former York and Dundee keeper". BBC Sport. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  38. ^ "Plymouth Argyle keeper Kyle Letheren makes debut eight years after first joining club". BBC Sport. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  39. ^ "Gary Sawyer: Plymouth Argyle offer new deal to captain as nine are released". BBC Sport. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  40. ^ "Jamie Ness: Plymouth Argyle release midfielder and offer deals to 12". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  41. ^ "Keeping it Real: Glovesman on the Radar". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  42. ^ "Kyle Letheren: Salford City sign former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  43. ^ "Salford city released and retained list, 2019–2020". Salford City F.C. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  44. ^ "Experienced keeper joins Spireites". Chesterfield FC Official Site. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  45. ^ "Keeper's departure confirmed". Chesterfield FC. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Morecambe sign free agent goalkeeper after Chesterfield exit". www.bbc.co.uk. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  47. ^ "Letheren signs". www.morecambefc.com. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  48. ^ "Letheren leaves Club by mutual consent". www.morecambefc.com. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Pools sign Kyle Letheren". Hartlepool United. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  50. ^ Joe Ramage (18 October 2022). "Hartlepool United 0–6 Everton U21s: Pools humiliated in the Papa Johns Trophy". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  51. ^ "Kyle Letheren departs". Hartlepool United FC. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  52. ^ Ramage, Joe (9 June 2023). "Ex-Hartlepool United player-coach announces playing retirement before confirming new coaching role with Doncaster Rovers". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  53. ^ "Kyle Letheren joins Rovers as goalkeeper coach". Doncaster Rovers. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  54. ^ "Letheren steps up". WalesOnline. Media Wales. 30 May 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  55. ^ "Dundee keeper Kyle Letheren in line for Wales call-up". The Courier. Dundee. 27 August 2014.
  56. ^ "Morecambe sign goalkeeper Letheren". BBC Sport.
  57. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  58. ^ "Player details: Season 2005–2006: Kyle Letheren". SoccerFactsUK. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018.
  59. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  60. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  61. ^ a b "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  63. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  64. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  65. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  66. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  67. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  68. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  70. ^ a b c d "K. Letheren: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  71. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  72. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  73. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  74. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  75. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  76. ^ "Games played by Kyle Letheren in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  77. ^ "Macclesfield Town 2–3 York City". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  78. ^ "League Two play-off final: Morecambe 1–0 Newport County - Shrimps Win Promotion". BBC Sport. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
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