Kevin Hill (footballer)

{{Short description|English footballer and manager}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Kevin Hill

| fullname =

| height =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1976|3|6}}

| birth_place = Exeter, England

| position = Midfielder

| years1 = –1997

| years2 = 1997–2008

| years3 = 2008–2010

| years4 = 2010–2013

| clubs1 = Torrington

| clubs2 = Torquay United

| clubs3 = Dorchester Town

| clubs4 = Tiverton Town

| caps2 = 417

| caps3 = 64

| caps4 = 100

| goals2 = 52

| goals3 = 2

| goals4 = 6

| years5 = 2022-

| clubs5 = Tiverton Town

| caps5 = 1

| goals5 = 0

| totalcaps = 523 | totalgoals = 57

| manageryears1 = 2013–

| managerclubs1 = Exmouth Town

| club-update =

}}

Kevin Hill (born 6 March 1976 in Exeter) is a former professional footballer, who is currently employed as the manager of Exmouth Town. He primarily played in midfield, but also featured in defence, up front and as a goalkeeper.

Career

Hill was born in Exeter and was playing for non-league side Torrington, and working in a local supermarket, when Kevin Hodges signed him for Torquay United in August 1997. He made his league debut on 9 August 1997 in a 2–1 defeat away to Macclesfield Town, Macclesfield's first game as a league side after promotion from the Conference.

He quickly became a regular in the side and remained so under a number of different managers. In the 2000–01 season, he was Torquay's leading goalscorer, including a crucial goal in the last game of the season away to Barnet, which saw Barnet relegated to the Conference and Torquay surviving. The circle was turned when he was a regular in the 2003–04 promotion winning side under Leroy Rosenior. In February 2006 he played his 400th game for Torquay against Bury in a 0–0 draw.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/4743696.stm|title=Hill targets new Torquay record|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2006-02-23|accessdate=2008-12-04}}

Hill was awarded a testimonial in 2007, culminating in a match with local rivals Plymouth Argyle at Plainmoor and his loyalty to the club led to him being sent a letter by FIFA president Sepp Blatter. He struggled to establish himself under new manager Paul Buckle and in February 2008 was linked with a loan move to Dorchester Town,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/7227849.stm|title=Hill set for Dorchester loan move|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-02-05|accessdate=2008-12-04}} but chose to stay with Torquay.

On 5 May 2008, Hill made his record equalling 473rd appearance for Torquay United in a play-off semi final defeat (1–4 on the day 3–5 on aggregate) at home to local rivals Exeter City. He marked the occasion by scoring Torquay's goal. He beat the appearance record, previously held by Dennis Lewis, on 10 May 2008 by coming on as a late substitute for Tim Sills in the FA Trophy final between Torquay and Ebbsfleet United,{{cite web|title=Hill's bitter sweet Wembley day|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/7395554.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-05-12|accessdate=2008-12-04}} a game which Ebbsfleet won 1–0, thanks to a goal from former Torquay forward Chris McPhee.

On 17 June 2008, Hill signed for Conference South side Dorchester Town, on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/7460552.stm|title=Torquay legend Hill leaves Gulls|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-06-18|accessdate=2008-12-04}}

On 8 September 2010, it was confirmed Hill signed for Tiverton Town who beat interest from Weymouth to land the 34-year-old midfielder.{{cite web|url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/localsport/8377753.Hill_turns_down_Terras/|title=Hill turns down Terras|publisher=Dorset Echo|date=2010-09-08|accessdate=2010-09-08}}

On 27 July 2013 Hill signed for Exmouth as player/coach.

On 23 February 2022, Hill made a one-off appearance for Tiverton following a major injury crisis for the club and played in their 4-1 defeat away to Chesham United{{cite tweet|number=1496197068561465345|user=tivertontownfc|title=Selection ➡ locked in 🔒📝 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨: 🆚 @cheshamutdfc◾ Considerable number of injuries lead to a side filled with…|date=22 February 2022}}{{cite tweet|number=1496226119451918337|user=nadderley|title=⁦@cheshamutdfc⁩ 4-1 up but Tiverton massively hit by injuries. Kevin Hill was back out for second half at age of 45…|date=22 February 2022}}

All time playing career

border="1" cellpadding="2"
SeasonTeamDivisionLeague AppsLeague GoalsCup*AppsCup Goals
1997-98

| Torquay United|| 3|| 37 ||7 ||9 ||0

1998-99

| Torquay United|| 3|| 35 ||5 ||6 ||0

1999-2000

| Torquay United|| 3|| 43 ||2 ||8 ||2

2000-01

| Torquay United|| 3|| 44 ||9 ||4 ||1

2001-02

| Torquay United|| 3|| 44 ||3 ||4 ||1

2002-03

| Torquay United|| 3|| 39 ||4 ||3 ||0

2003-04

| Torquay United|| 3|| 45 ||5 ||2 ||0

2004-05

| Torquay United|| 2|| 39 ||5 ||2 ||0

2005-06

| Torquay United|| 3|| 42 ||9 ||7 ||0

2006-07

| Torquay United|| 3|| 36 ||1 ||6 ||0

2007-08

| Torquay United||Conference National|| 13 ||2 ||6 ||1

  • Includes Play-Off Matches

References

{{reflist}}