Patrick Kanyuka

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Patrick Kanyuka

| image = Kanyuka coaching.jpg

| image_size = 200

| caption = Kanyuka in 2023 waltham cross fc

| fullname = Patrick Elamenji Kanyuka{{Cite book

| editor-first = Barry J.

| editor-last = Hugman

| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10

| year = 2009

| publisher = Mainstream Publishing

| isbn = 978-1-84596-474-0

| page = 229 }}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|7|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kinshasa, Zaire

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=4}}

| position = Defender

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2004–2005

| youthclubs1 = Leyton Orient

| years1 = 2005–2008

| clubs1 = Queens Park Rangers

| caps1 = 12

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2008–2009

| clubs2 = Swindon Town

| caps2 = 20

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2009–2010

| clubs3 = Northampton Town

| caps3 = 3

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2010–2011

| clubs4 = CFR Cluj

| caps4 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2010

| clubs5 = → Unirea Alba Iulia (loan)

| caps5 = 3

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2011

| clubs6 = Lincoln City

| caps6 = 6

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2011–2012

| clubs7 = Tamworth

| caps7 = 13

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2012

| clubs8 = Staines Town

| caps8 = 6

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2012–2013

| clubs9 = Maidenhead United

| caps9 = 7

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2013–2014

| clubs10 = Roi Et United

| caps10 = 21

| goals10 = 9

| years11 = 2015

| clubs11 = Limerick

| caps11 = 10

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2016–2019

| clubs12 = Shan United

| caps12 = 16

| goals12 = 2

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 =

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| club-update = 15:19, 22 February 2018 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update =

| manageryears1 = 2021-2022

| managerclubs1 = Enfield Borough F.C.

| manageryears2 = 2022-2023

| managerclubs2 = Waltham Cross F.C.

}}

Patrick Elamenji Kanyuka (born 19 July 1987) is a ex Congolese footballer who played as a defender. He is the founder and chairman of Waltham Cross Football Club and the owner of multiple businesses, including Future Cross CIC, Patkans, and the International College Programme. Kanyuka is also actively involved in community development through the Active in Hope Community Foundation, which focuses on mental health, education, and skills development.{{Cite web |title=Community inspiration: a life-changing goal |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/21325405.community-inspiration-life-changing-goal/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Great British Life |language=en}}

File:Waltham cross fc team talk.jpg

Career

=Queens Park Rangers=

Born in Kinshasa, Kanyuka started his career with Leyton Orient as a youth player in 2003 before joining Queens Park Rangers the following year. Source Neilson N. Kaufman - historian Leyton Orient FC . Queens Park Rangers after signing a professional contract on 19 July 2004. His early career was plagued by injuries, but towards the end of the 2005–06 season he held down a regular place in John Gregory's side due to an injury to Danny Cullip.

=Swindon Town=

He signed for Swindon Town on 21 January 2008 until the end of the season after being released by Queens Park Rangers. Kanyuka made his Swindon debut in the 1–0 win at Luton Town, he played the whole game despite being kicked in the forehead by former QPR team mate Paul Furlong, an injury that required many stitches and forced him to miss Swindon's next game. He was released at the end of the season, having scored once against Bristol Rovers{{Cite news|title=Bristol Rovers 2–2 Swindon|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7727348.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 November 2008|accessdate=17 March 2010}} in 20 league appearances.

=Motherwell trial & Northampton Town=

On 21 July 2009, Scottish Premier League club Motherwell handed the defender a trial, however he later signed for League Two team Northampton Town on an initial three-month deal during October 2009 after a successful trial.[http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~1834379,00.html Cobblers bring in Kanyuka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229132252/http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10425~1834379,00.html |date=29 February 2012 }}, ntfc.co.uk; retrieved 23 October 2009.

=CFR Cluj & FC Unirea Alba Iulia loan=

In January 2010 after impressing during pre-season Kanyuka was signed by CFR Cluj. He joined Unirea Alba Iulia on loan in August.{{Cite web | title = Pat Kanyuka | url = http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,19754,11758_317710,00.html | publisher = Sky Sports | accessdate = 28 January 2011}}

=Lincoln City=

On 27 January 2011, he signed on a free transfer for League Two side Lincoln City.{{Cite news|title=Lincoln City sign central defender Patrick Kanyuka|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/9378024.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 January 2011|accessdate=28 January 2011}} In May 2011, he was not offered a new contract after a mass clear out of players following the club's relegation from the Football League.{{cite news|title=Steve Tilson clears out Lincoln City squad|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/9483263.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2011|accessdate=12 May 2011}}

=Tamworth=

In August 2011 he signed for Tamworth.{{cite news|url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/mills-signs-loan-deal-1503.htm|title=Mills signs loan deal|date=5 August 2011|publisher=Tamworth FC|accessdate=8 August 2011|archive-date=12 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912092925/http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/mills-signs-loan-deal-1503.htm|url-status=dead}} Kanyuka was released from the club on 27 January 2012, having made 18 league and cup appearances, including a third round FA Cup match against Premier League side Everton.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,19754,_317710,00.html|title=Pat Kanyuka profile|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=27 March 2012}}

=Trials=

On 13 March 2012 Kanyuka scored in a behind closed doors game at Leeds United's training ground, Thorp Arch, whilst on trial. Kanyuka went stateside and joined C.D. Chivas USA on trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/15366/chivas-usa-two-hat-tricks-lead-goats|title=Two hat tricks lead Goats|author=French, Scott|publisher=ESPN Los Angeles|access-date=18 March 2012}} He left them on 28 March 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/15540/chivas-usa-lahoud-is-getting-close|title=Lahoud is getting 'close'|author=French, Scott|date=28 March 2012|publisher=ESPN Los Angeles|access-date=28 March 2012}}

=Staines Town=

In October 2012 he joined Staines Town.{{cite web|title=Kanyuka in at Staines|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=88447|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113092459/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=88447|url-status=usurped|archive-date=13 November 2012|publisher=Non-League Daily|accessdate=12 October 2012|date=11 October 2012}} He move on to join Maidenhead United in December 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/Sport/Football/Maidenhead-Utd-FC/Maidenhead-United-FC-swoop-for-Brentford-defender-Mawson-12122012.htm|title=Maidenhead United FC swoop for Brentford defender Mawson|date=12 December 2012|publisher=Maidenhead Advertiser|accessdate=11 July 2013}} but left the following month to move to Thailand{{cite web|url=http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/Sport/Football/Maidenhead-Utd-FC/Maidenhead-United-FC-rocked-by-Kanyuka-departure-16012013.htm|title=Maidenhead United FC rocked by Kanyuka departure|date=17 January 2013|publisher=Maidenhead Advertiser|accessdate=11 July 2013}} and join Roi Et United.

=Limerick FC=

In July 2015, Kanyuka joined Irish Premier Division side Limerick FC. He cemented his place in the first team with some impressive performances. He left the club following their relegation in November 2015.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

=Shan United FC=

In 2016 January, Kanyuka moved to Shan United.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

= Waltham Cross Football Club =

In 2021, Kanyuka founded Waltham Cross Football Club, the first semi-professional football club in Waltham Cross. The club competes in the Herts Senior County League and aims for promotion to the English Football League. Under his leadership, the club focuses on player development and promoting diversity in football.

= Future Cross CIC =

Kanyuka is the founder of Future Cross CIC, a sports tour company that organizes international football showcases and youth development tournaments in countries such as Thailand, Nigeria, and Cambodia. The organization aims to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth through football and engagement programs.

= Patkans =

In addition to football management, Kanyuka launched Patkans, a sportswear brand supplying kits and apparel to football clubs. The brand has secured sponsorship deals in Nigeria and plans to expand into streetwear and football boots while supporting grassroots players.

Coaching career

In 2021, Kanyuka was named the assistant manager to Anthony McNamee at Combined Counties League Division One side Enfield Borough.{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJfia-hXvX/ | title=Enfield Borough FC on Instagram: "Announcement !!! We are pleased to announce that Anthony McNamee is our new 1st team manager. Anthony is a ex professional footballer who played over 250 professional games including @premierleague appearances for @watfordfcofficial Patrick Kanyuka joins the club as assistant manager Welcome Anthony & Patrick 🙌🏾 #enfieldboroughfc #panthers #football #club #newmanagement #newbeginnings #freshstart #nonleaguefootball #nonleague" }}

In 2022, Waltham Cross Football Club was established by founder & Ex Professional footballer Patrick Kanyuka, They play in the Hertfordshire Senior County League division One. He currently is owner and manager of the club.

= International College Programme =

Through his International College Programme, Kanyuka helps recruit young international talents, particularly from Africa, to study and develop their football careers in the UK. The program offers pathways to professional opportunities.

Philanthropy and community Work

Norably, Kanyuka is actively involved in the Active in Hope Community Foundation, a registered charity focused on mental health, education, and skills development. The foundation operates the Active in Hope Skills Academy, which provides courses such as:

BTEC Sports
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Mathematics and IT
Healthcare training

These programs support NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) individuals, offering them career development opportunities.

References

External links

{{Soccerbase}}
{{Soccerway|15573}}
{{WorldFootball|patrick-kanyuka}}
[https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/ Active in Hope Community Foundation - Charity Commission]
[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/ Future Cross CIC - Companies House]
[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/ Patkans Limited]

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Kinshasa

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players

Category:Swindon Town F.C. players

Category:Northampton Town F.C. players

Category:CFR Cluj players

Category:CSM Unirea Alba Iulia players

Category:Lincoln City F.C. players

Category:Tamworth F.C. players