Kevin Donovan

Kevin Donovan (born 17 December 1971) is an English football coach, former professional player and sports co-commentator. He runs his own football academy that is linked to Brighouse Town.

As a player, he was a midfielder from 1988 to 2007 with lengthy spells at West Bromwich Albion and Grimsby Town which saw him win two play-off finals at Wembley Stadium. He also played in the Football League for Huddersfield Town, Halifax Town, Barnsley and Rochdale before finishing his career off in non-League football with York City and Alfreton Town.

Playing career Donovan started playing for Elland Athletic in the Halifax league as an 8-year old before he joined Huddersfield Town, training at the centre of excellence, at 16 he became an apprentice and turned professional in October 1989. He joined Halifax Town on loan during February and March 1992, before moving to West Bromwich Albion and in the play-off final, in which Donovan netted the only goal of the game. However, Donovan failed to score a single goal in the following season for the club.

Two more rather impressive seasons were spent at Blundell Park before Donovan confirmed the Grimsby supporters' worst fears and left to join rivals Barnsley.

Donovan was snapped up by Alan Buckley, who had managed him at West Brom and Grimsby, and gave him a one-year deal for Rochdale

His next port of call was at Conference club York City At York he linked up with former Grimsby teammate Paul Groves, but neither really flourished. At the end of the season Donovan moved into the Conference North, joining Alfreton Town for a season before retiring from the game.

Personal life Donovan runs a football school and coaches the junior side at Brighouse Town.

He occasionally co-commentates for BBC Radio Humberside on Grimsby Town games.

Honours Grimsby Town Second Division play-offs: 1997–98 Football League Trophy: 1997–98

West Bromwich Albion Second Division play-offs: 1992–93

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 1997–98 Second Division Grimsby Town Supporters' Player of the Year 1997–98