Liam Kitching
{{short description|English footballer (born 1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Liam Kitching
|image =
|image_size =
|caption = Kitching with Leeds United in 2018
|fullname = Liam James Kitching{{Cite news |date=19 May 2018 |title=CLUB LIST OF REGISTERED PLAYERS AS AT 19th MAY 2018 |page=21 |publisher=The Football League |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |access-date=21 August 2020}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|09|25|df=y}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/liam-kitching/|title=Liam Kitching - Defender - First Team - Barnsley Football Club|website=www.barnsleyfc.co.uk}}
|birth_place = Harrogate, England
|height = {{convert|1.91|m|order=flip}}
|position = Defender
|currentclub = Coventry City
|clubnumber = 15
|youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2018
|youthclubs1 = Leeds United
|years1 = 2018–2019
|clubs1 = Leeds United
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2018
|clubs2 = → Harrogate Town (loan)
|caps2 = 9
|goals2 = 3
|years3 = 2018–2019
|clubs3 = → Harrogate Town (loan)
|caps3 = 34
|goals3 = 3
|years4 = 2019–2021
|clubs4 = Forest Green Rovers
|caps4 = 44
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2021–2023
|clubs5 = Barnsley
|caps5 = 82
|goals5 = 5
|years6 = 2023–
|clubs6 = Coventry City
|caps6 = 55
|goals6 = 1
|club-update = 09:40, 10 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Liam James Kitching (born 25 September 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|CoventrC}} club Coventry City. He started his career at Leeds United, though did not make a first-team appearance, and also had loan spells at Harrogate Town before joining Forest Green Rovers in July 2019 and Barnsley in 2021.
Early life
Kitching was born in Harrogate and attended Rossett School.{{Cite news |date=2 November 2018 |title=Liam Kitching reveals 'shock' and 'nerves' after Marcelo Bielsa casts eye over Leeds United loanee |language=en |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/liam-kitching-reveals-shock-and-nerves-after-marcelo-bielsa-casts-eye-over-leeds-united-loanee-230341 |access-date=19 September 2020}} He is of Irish descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/irish-football-granny-rule-xi-539003|title=A 'Granny Rule XI' We'd Love To See Playing For Ireland Some Day|first=Bill|last=Gaine|date=10 January 2023|website=Balls.ie}}
Career
=Leeds United=
Kitching began his career at Leeds United and signed a two-year contract with the club in July 2017.{{Cite web |date=4 July 2017 |title=12 pen new deals |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/22013/12-pen-new-deals |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=www.leedsunited.com |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |language=en}} After featuring regularly for Leeds' under-23 side during the first half of the season, Kitching joined Harrogate Town on a one-month loan in January 2018.{{Cite web |date=19 January 2018 |title=Town loan Leeds defender Kitching |url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news-media/town-loan-leeds-defender-kitching/ |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=harrogatetownafc.com |publisher=Harrogate Town A.F.C.}}{{Cite web |date=21 January 2018 |title=Defender Kitching leaves Leeds on loan for Harrogate |url=https://nonleaguedaily.com/defender-kitching-leaves-leeds-on-loan-for-harrogate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416202948/https://nonleaguedaily.com/defender-kitching-leaves-leeds-on-loan-for-harrogate/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 April 2021 |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=nonleaguedaily.com |language=en-GB}} His first appearance for Harrogate came as a substitute in a 4–1 victory over Stockport County before making his first start for Harrogate on 10 February 2018 in a 3–1 victory over Leamington, in which he scored the first goal of his senior career.{{soccerway|liam-kitching/529644|accessdate=19 September 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Leamington 1 Town 3 |url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news-media/leamington-v-town/ |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=harrogatetownafc.com |publisher=Harrogate Town A.F.C.}} On 16 February 2018, his loan was extended until the end of the season.{{Cite web |date=16 February 2018 |title=Liam Kitching loan extended |url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23032/liam-kitching-loan-extended |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=www.leedsunited.com |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |language=en}} After making 9 league appearances for Harrogate, scoring three goals, Harrogate were promoted to the National League after defeating Brackley Town 3–0 in the play-off final.{{Cite news |date=14 May 2018 |title=Leeds United loanee Liam Kitching wins promotion with Harrogate Town |language=en |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-loanee-liam-kitching-wins-promotion-harrogate-town-585639 |access-date=19 September 2020}} On 20 July 2018, Kitching signed a new contract with Leeds United before rejoining Harrogate on a six-month loan deal.{{Cite news |date=20 July 2018 |title=Kitching signs new deal with Leeds United before heading back out on loan |language=en |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/kitching-signs-new-deal-leeds-united-heading-back-out-loan-583736 |access-date=19 September 2020}} In January 2019, his loan was extended until the end of the season, after scoring three goals in 25 appearances during the first half of the season.{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Will |date=4 January 2019 |title=Leeds youngster Liam Kitching agrees loan extension at Harrogate |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/01/04/leeds-youngster-liam-kitching-agrees-loan-extension-at-harrogate/ |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=HITC |language=en-GB}} Across the 2018–19 season, Kitching appeared in 34 league games for Harrogate, scoring twice.
=Forest Green Rovers=
Kitching signed with Forest Green Rovers in July 2019 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=8 July 2019 |title=Liam Kitching: Leeds United defender signs for Forest Green on three-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48911739 |access-date=8 July 2019 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Iles |first=Robert |date=8 July 2019 |title=Forest Green complete signing of defender from Leeds United |work=Gloucestershire Echo |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/forest-green-rovers-complete-signing-3068076 |access-date=19 September 2020}} He made his debut for Forest Green Rovers as a substitute in their 1–1 League Two draw away to Walsall,{{Cite news |last=Loveridge |first=Ashley |date=11 August 2019 |title=Forest Green player ratings as Thomas shines and Winchester catches the eye in draw at Walsall |language=en |work=Stroud News & Journal |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/17829913.forest-green-player-ratings-thomas-shines-winchester-catches-eye-draw-walsall/ |access-date=19 September 2020}} before making his first start on 13 August 2020 in a penalty shoot-out victory over Charlton Athletic following a 0–0 draw in the EFL Cup, in which Kitching conceded a missed penalty in normal time.{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Bobby |date=13 August 2019 |title=Forest Green Rovers knock Charlton Athletic out of Carabao Cup |work=Gloucestershire Echo |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/forest-green-rovers-knock-charlton-3207895 |access-date=19 September 2020}} He appeared in 29 of Forest Green Rovers' 36 league matches across the truncated 2019–20 season.
=Barnsley=
On 5 January 2021, Kitching signed for Championship club Barnsley on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £600,000.{{Cite web |date=5 January 2021 |title=Liam Kitching joins the Reds |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/liam-kitching-signs/ |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=www.barnsleyfc.co.uk |publisher=Barnsley F.C.}}{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Jon |date=5 January 2021 |title=Forest Green defender completes move to Barnsley |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leeds-united-product-liam-kitching-4857413 |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=GloucestershireLive}}{{Cite web |date=5 January 2021 |title=Barnsley sign Forest Green's Kitching |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55547227 |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for the club on 13 September 2022 in a 1–1 draw against Port Vale.{{cite news |title=Barnsley 1–1 Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62803602 |access-date=14 September 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 September 2022}}
=Coventry City=
On 1 September 2023, Kitching transferred to Championship side Coventry City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66691646|title=Coventry sign Barnsley defender Kitching|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} On 14 February 2024, he scored his first goal for Coventry, a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Plymouth Argyle.{{cite news |title=Plymouth Argyle 2–2 Coventry City |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68224425 |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2024}} On 1 April, he scored two own goals in a 2–1 home loss to Cardiff City.{{cite news |title=Coventry City 1–2 Cardiff City |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68652954 |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2024}}
Style of play
Kitching can play as a centre-back or as a left-back.{{Cite news |date=31 October 2018 |title=Kitching's form tempts Leeds United chief Marcelo Bielsa in for a closer look |language=en |work=Harrogate Advertiser |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/kitchings-form-tempts-leeds-united-chief-marcelo-bielsa-closer-look-232245 |access-date=19 September 2020}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 13 May 2025}}{{soccerbase|110111}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Leeds United
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018–19
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Harrogate Town (loan)
|9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{Efn|name=FAT|Appearances in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||
| Harrogate Town (loan)
|34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{Efn|name=FAT}} | 1 | 39 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Forest Green Rovers
|29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearances in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 2020–21
|League Two |15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{Efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!44 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 0 | |
| rowspan=5|Barnsley
|Championship |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{Efn|name=PO|Appearances in the EFL Championship play-offs}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021–22
|Championship |32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| 2022–23
|45 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{Efn|One appearance in the EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in the EFL League One play-offs}} | 1 | 53 | 5 | |
| 2023–24
|League One |4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!82 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 93 | 6 | |
| rowspan=3|Coventry City
|Championship |28 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
| 2024–25
|Championship |27 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2{{Efn|name=PO}} | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!55 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 65 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!224 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 260 | 15 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Coventry City F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kitching, Liam}}
Category:Footballers from Harrogate
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Men's association football defenders