Focus On….Kevin Shoemake

A series on players who have spent some of their careers as a player or manager in the Southern League.

Kevin Shoemake was – and still is – one of the characters in the game.

Nowadays, surprisingly to many, he is helping to govern the game as chief executive of the Birmingham County FA, having held a similar role for the Northamptonshire FA.

I say surprisingly because for those who know `Shoey` (which I count myself as being one of them) remember him as the bubbly, happy-go-lucky goalkeeper who was renowned for his practical jokes!

That`s why he found it difficult answering the question about his funniest team-mates because it was he who was often the dressing room clown himself – so much so that I know it used to drive one or two managers such as Peter Morris - something of a dour character himself - mad at times!

However, what could never be doubted was Kevin`s ability as a goalkeeper.

He enjoyed a well-travelled career and represented the London FA as well as the FA and was perhaps a touch unfortunate not to have won England semi-pro caps at a time when there was a plethora of excellent keepers in non-League football.

He later became a very good goalkeeper coach at both professional and semi-professional level.

Clubs Played For:

Leyton Orient, Dartford (signed by John Still but never played), Chelmsford City (home-town club), Welling United (Southern League champion), Peterborough United, Kettering Town (four spells), Redbridge Forest, Rushden & Diamonds (first player on first-team sheet), Worcester City, Rothwell Town, Raunds Town, Nuneaton Borough (Southern League champions 98/99)

Coaching: Nuneaton Borough, Kettering Town, Rushden & Diamonds (academy and first team), Peterborough United (academy), Luton Town (academy)

Memorable Games:

Leicester City v Orient – Football Combination debut in front of 15,000 (they all turned up to purchase League Cup tickets)
Bournemouth v Orient – Football League debut (April 84)
Chelmsford City – resurrection game (92-93) at New Writtle Street
Kettering v Bristol Rovers – FA Cup Second Round (88-89)
Rushden & Diamonds v Bilston Town – first R&D League game (92-93)

Biggest Games Missed:

Charlton v Kettering (1989 - FA Cup Fourth Round) – injured
Blackburn v Kettering (1992- FA Cup Third Round) – injured
England semi-pro v Italy at Rockingham Road (1991) – in the squad but injured

Best Grounds:

There’s a very sad theme – they`ve all disappeared!

Chelmsford City – New Writtle Street
Kettering Town – Rockingham Road
Rushden & Diamonds – Nene Park
Worcester City – St George’s Lane

Best 11 Played With:

Impenetrable and with some flair and loads of goals (and great stories and nights out!)

Dale Roberts (Rushden & Diamonds - RIP)

Terry Angus (Nuneaton)

Russell Lewis (Kettering)

Nigel Ransom (Welling)

Micky Stockwell (School)

Peter Taylor (Chelmsford) Pictured

Stan Bowles (Leyton Orient)

Dougie Keast (Kettering)

John Bartley (Welling)

Robbie Cooke (Kettering)

Carl Alford (Rushden & Diamonds)

Subs:

Useless as subs but what a great giggle on the bench!

Kevin Foster (Chelmsford)

John Keeley (Chelmsford)

Danny Liquorish (Rothwell – RIP)

Paul Bastock (Kettering/Rushden & Diamonds)

Andy Lomas (Rushden & Diamonds)

Best Referee:

Proper old school who’d talk and banter with you and tell it as it was.

Peter Walton
Dermot Gallagher
Brian Hill

Funniest Team-Mate?

No-one is funnier!! Although Darren Lynch (right) did eat a spider during a pre-match team talk!

Best Managers?

Joe O’Sullivan – Chelmsford City
John Still – Dagenham & Redbridge
Justin Edinburgh – Rushden & Diamonds
James Ellis – GB Students

Best Mates in the Game?

Thankfully the list is endless and still in touch with many

Words of Advice?

If you can dream it, you can do it. Enjoy what you do – keep believing and never stop learning. Stay safe during these tough times and talk if you’re struggling.