Kevin Donovan is an English former professional footballer and academy coach at Huddersfield Town. He also runs his own soccer academy based at Brighouse Town. As a player, he was a Midfielder from 1988 to 2007, starting his career with Huddersfield Town who had plucked him from junior side Elland Athletic. Donovan struggled to make an impact at Town and as well as a loan with Halifax Town he would only play a cameo role in the first team until the time of his departure in 1992 to West Bromwich Albion. During a five-year stay with Albion he helped the club to promotion via the Football League Division Two play-offs, something he would repeat with Grimsby Town during the 1997–98 season. In that same season the club also triumphed in the Football League Trophy with Donovan finishing club top scorer and thus collecting the "Player of the Season" award. He remained with Grimsby until the end of the 2001–02 season where he joined rivals Barnsley once his contract had expired. After two years with The Tykes he moved on to Rochdale and then York City in 2004. He finished his career with ConferenceNorth sideAlfreton Town in 2006–07 season. Since retiring Donovan has coached youngsters holding soccer classes at Brighouse Town, where he also coaches the youth side. He has also appeared as a guest pundit for BBC Radio Humberside whilst commentating on Grimsby Town games, a club who he is still closely affiliated.
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 for £70,000 in October of that year. He made his Albion debut against Port Vale in the same month. Donovan scored in Albion's 3–0 win over Vale in the Division Two play-off final the following May at Wembley as the club clinched promotion. In July 1997 he signed for Grimsby Town for a £300,000 fee, joining up with his former manager at Albion, Alan Buckley. His time at Grimsby was arguably the best of his career. In his first season, he scored 21 goals to help the club win twice at Wembley Stadium in the Football League Trophy, 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. His time at Oakwell was mainly blighted by injury problems,and he experienced relegation with the club, and at the end of the 2002–03 season he was released by The Tykes. During his spell at Barnsley he scored once against Walsall in December 2001. 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 However, after another fruitless campaign, playing only seven times for 'Dale, Donovan was released by the club. His next port of call was at Conference club York City on a one-year contract, following a loan spell. 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
He runs a soccer school and coaches the junior side at Brighouse Town.
