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Where Are They Now: Kevin Drinkell

By: Tony Hamilton
Date: 19/08/2003

TONY Hamilton continues his search for ex-Grimsby Town players to see where they are now, what they are doing and asks about their days at Blundell Park. He talks today to one of Grimsby's most prolific strikers, Kevin Drinkell.

Home > Features > Interviews > Kevin Drinkell


Striker: 1985-1988
Born: June 18, 1960

Kevin made a footballing name for himself at Grimsby where he scored 89 goals in 272 appearances. He moved to Norwich in June 1985 for £105,000.

His 22 league goals in his first season at Carrow Road played a major role in Norwich's Division Two championship.

Player of the year in two of his three seasons at Carrow Road - and top scorer in all three. A muscular frame and turn of speed made him a success in the top two divisions. He was also powerful in the air, making his tribunal fee of £105,000 another piece of bargain business for manager Ken Brown.

In 150 appearances for Norwich, he scored 57 goals at a strike rate of 2.63 matches per goal.

His goal scoring record earned him a move to Glasgow Rangers for £600,000 in the summer of 1988 as one of Graeme Souness' many English recruits. Kevin scored 19 goals in 42 matches for Rangers and they won the Scottish league and Skol Cup.

He joined Coventry in October 1989 but was loaned to Birmingham and he eventually moved on.

He returned to Scotland to join Falkirk as player-coach in July 1992.

He moved to Stirling Albion in March 1994 where he became manager. He led Stirling to promotion to Division One in 1996/97 with limited resources. However Stirling finished bottom and were relegated in 1997/98.

Kevin with the League Championship Trophy he won with Stirling Albion. He also won the "Bell's Manager Of The Year Award" in the same season.
October 1998, Kevin was appointed manager of Montrose who were sitting at the bottom of Scottish Division With Montrose rooted firmly at the bottom of the Scottish League, Kevin was sacked on 11th October 2000.

Today, he is an agent and looks out for new talent and assists young players through their careers.

Fishy: Who signed you Kevin for Grimsby town and when?

Kevin: Tom Casey, 1976.

Fishy: Was it an easy decision to become a professional footballer?

Kevin: Yes. As a youngster it was all I dreamed about.

Fishy: Who was the best player you played with and against?

Kevin: With - Ray Wilkins (Rangers) Against - Paul Gascoigne

Fishy: What was Graeme Souness like as a manager to play for?

Kevin: Great. He always made sure that his players came first.

Fishy: Was it a wrench to move from Grimsby when you did?

Kevin: It was a difficult to move away from family, but Norwich was only 100 miles away.

Fishy: When you played for Coventry against Grimsby Town in the league cup and scored what at the time was running through your head?

Kevin: It was my debut for Coventry, so I was relieved to score a goal.

Fishy: Do you see any old ex town team mates if so who?

Kevin: My early days were with the Moore Brothers and Tony Ford. We keep in touch and try to meet up.

Fishy: Who was the best strike partner you played with and why?

Kevin: Trevor Whymark. He played the game easily. Great touch and awareness, never rushed.

Fishy: Now you've finished playing what's your job now and what does it entail?

Kevin: Went into management in Scotland. I did well but never got that 'good job'. Now I work as a football agent helping young players progress in the game.

Fishy: All the managers you played under who did you learn most under?

Kevin: You learn something from everyone. Sometimes good, which you try to use. Sometimes bad, which you discard.

Fishy: If the Grimsby Town managers job became available would you be interested and have you applied in the past for it?

Kevin: I have applied before and would love to help Grimsby in some capacity in the future.

Fishy: Can you remember your debut for town and whom was it against?

Kevin: It was against Gillingham in 1977. But just as a statistic. The game passed me by, but days later v. Wrexham I scored twice.

Fishy: What was the best goal you scored for town?

Kevin: All of them!

Fishy: Do you think money has ruined football?

Kevin: I think the Bosman ruling had a massive effect.

Fishy: Have you any funny stories from your playing days at Grimsby Town?

Kevin: You had to be there.

Fishy: Do you still support town and go to any of their games? What other teams do you look out for?

Kevin: Grimsby is the first result I look out for, then the other clubs I have been associated with.

Fishy: What's your biggest regret in football?

Kevin: I try not to have regrets, but signing for Coventry was a big mistake.

Fishy: When was the last time you were at Blundell Park?

Kevin: I was a guest of the Legends Bar a couple of years ago.

Fishy: Can you remember how many hat tricks you scored for town if so which one sticks out in your mind?

Kevin: Against Sheffield United in 1980, to clinch the championship.

Fishy: When you were at Grimsby Town which of their managers did you learn the most under?

Kevin: All of them.

Fishy: Thank you Kevin

Kevin: My pleasure.




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