Sharp: Kevin Philip (Kevin)

1992-1995 (Player Details)

Left Back

Born: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada: 19-09-1974

Debut v Crystal Palace (h): 17-04-1993

5’9” 11st 11lb (1993)

Although born in Canada, he was only eighteen months old when his family returned to England where his father, Frank, once had trials with Tranmere Rovers when playing for Flint Town. Young Sharp was pigeon-toed as a youngster and later had to wear special shoes to correct a problem with the development of his knees, but it did not prevent him from shining as a young footballer. He started with Poulton Le Fylde in the Blackpool League, before joining Blackpool Town. He then went to the FA National School of Excellence for a couple of years. Together with Jamie Forrester he joined Auxerre in Franceand the pair cost Leeds £120,000 in September 1992 when Howard Wilkinson spotted their potential. He became a member of the Leeds FA Youth Cup winning team and blond-bomber Sharp proved an effective left-sided player in either midfield or defence, acting as cover for Tony Dorigo in the latter role. An England Under-Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen and Eighteen year-old International, Sharp looked to have a promising future at Elland Road, but slipped down the pecking order, with the emergence of Ian Harte and in December 1995 moved to Wigan Athletic for £50,000 with a clause giving United a further £25,000 after the then twenty-one year-old had made twenty appearances and a futher £25,000 after forty games. In addition Leeds would receive twenty-five per cent of any profit Wigan made if they sold him. United did get the extra £50,000 but no more as after scoring ten goals in one hundred and forty-six League starts and twenty-two more as a substitute he went to Wrexham November 2001 on a free-transfer, having picked up a Third Division Championship medal in his first full season of 1996-97. He made twelve League starts with Wrexham as well as three from the bench as the Welsh side were relegated from Division Two. He moved to Huddersfield Town in August 2002, again on a free-transfer, and while playing thirty-nine games, including one as a substitute, Town suffered the same fate as Wrexham. In July 2003 he moved to Scunthorpe United on a free-transfer, where he was a regular in his first season but hardly played in the second season as Scunthorpe gained promotion and he moved to Shrewsbury Town on a free in July 2005. He made forty-one starts, five games from the bench and scored twice in his two year stay with the Irons. On arrival at Shrewsbury he was appointed club captain, however, in early 2006, loss of form resulted in Shrewsbury fans turning against him, and the Manager was forced to drop him from the team at the end of February 2006. He was released at the end of the season after thirty League games, three of which were as a substitute, and he scored one goal, from the spot. Sharp joined Scottish First Division side Hamilton Academical, on an amateur basis in November 2006. He made his debut against Livingston in December 2006. He was released by the club at the end of January 2007 due to the return of other experienced players in his position. He then joined Northwich Victoria in August 2007, where he became player-coach. He played seven games before being released in December 2007. He was involved with coaching at Wigan Athletic until he was appointed assistant coach to Simon Weaver at Harrogate Town on 9th June 2009.