Paddy Kenny

Patrick Joseph Kenny (born 17 May 1978) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

He joined Bradford Park Avenue in August 1997, playing semi-professionally whilst working as an engineer in the week.

He was an ever-present in the Northern Premier League during the 1997–98 season, playing 55 games in league and cup.

Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Kenny began his career with Bradford Park Avenue before turning professional in the summer of 1998 upon signing for Neil Warnock's Bury.

He had trials at Birmingham City and Bradford City, before he was signed by Neil Warnock at Bury in September 1998 for a £10,000 fee following a recommendation from Avenue's manager Trevor Storton.

With Dean Kiely in goal for the "Shakers", Kenny was loaned out to Whitby Town in the Northern Premier League to gain some first team experience in March 1999.

Two months later Kiely was sold to Charlton Athletic, giving Kenny the chance to become Bury's regular goalkeeper.

He made his Division Two debut for Bury on 7 August 1999 in a 2–1 win over Gillingham at Gigg Lane.

He went on to become an ever-present in both the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 campaigns.

Andy Preece's Bury were relegated into Division Three at the end of the 2001–02 season.

Kenny initially joined Neil Warnock's Sheffield United on loan as cover for injured keeper Simon Tracey.

He was reunited with Warnock in 2002 after he joined Sheffield United where he spent much of his career and enjoyed notable success; performing in League Cup and FA Cup semi-finals, two play-off finals, and then promotion to the Premier League in 2005–06.

He made his debut for the "Blades" in a 2–1 defeat to Coventry City at Highfield Road on 10 August 2002, and subsequently went on to become first choice goalkeeper.

After three months the loan deal was made permanent for a £45,000 fee.

He was voted United's Player of the Season in 2002–03 after keeping goal as United reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup, where they were beaten by Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

"'Paddy is one of the best signings I've ever made. I think he's one of the best goalkeepers in the game. I wouldn't swap him for David James, Chris Kirkland, Paul Robinson or David Seaman. The first thing I did was put him on a diet. He was eating burgers, pizzas and chips - and that was in the same day. Look at the shape of him. He's the sort of player people don't pay much attention to, but he's one of the first names on the team sheet because he's so reliable.'"

On 26 May 2003, he played at the Millennium Stadium in the Division One play-off final, as United lost 3–0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He was injured for three months of the 2003–04 season, but upon his recovery he regained his first team place from loanee Paul Gerrard.

Kenny featured 48 times in the 2004–05 season as United finished six points outside the play-off places.

He played every minute of United's promotion campaign to the Premier League in 2005–06.

In February 2006 Sheffield United faced promotion rivals Reading.

With the scores level at 1-1 Reading were awarded a last minute penalty, however Kenny saved Dave Kitson's effort.

In November 2006, despite being told by club manager Neil Warnock to keep a low profile, Kenny went for a night out in Halifax.

He became involved in a drunken brawl outside a curry house with a former friend, who admitted to having an affair with Kenny's wife.

The fight ended with Kenny having his eyebrow bitten off and requiring 12 stitches.

The affair brought an end to his marriage.

He continued to be a key member of the United team in their season in the top flight but was unable to help prevent the club from being relegated on the final day of the 2006–07 season.

In a match against Blackburn Rovers in September 2006 Kenny saved a Lucas Neill penalty in a 0–0 draw.

His opposite number Brad Friedel also saved two penalties in the same match.

Back in the Championship he maintained his position of being the club's number one keeper for the 2007–08 campaign.

With the team struggling Kenny maintained fine form with the only low point coming in February; despite making several excellent saves, he mistakenly knocked the ball into his own net in extra time in an FA Cup fifth round replay against Middlesbrough, a goal which knocked Sheffield United out of the cup.

Kenny began to voice disquiet over his contract situation at the end of 2008, despite manager Kevin Blackwell insisting that the club were set to open talks on a new deal.

Despite this Kenny was dropped for the Boxing Day game against Wolverhampton Wanderers after being late for training and he was placed on the transfer list a few days later.

He returned to the first team after sitting out two league games and was again ever present until the end of the 2008–09 season, including an appearance at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final.

Although United missed out on promotion Kenny agreed a contract extension a few days later, effectively signalling his removal from the transfer list.

Kenny would later sign for Warnock once again in 2010, joining Queens Park Rangers after his time at Sheffield United ended on a sour note when he spent much of his final season on the sidelines having failing a drugs test the previous summer.

During his first season at QPR he would achieve his second promotion to the Premier League and his first Championship winners medal.

He remained as first choice goalkeeper the next season as QPR beat relegation on the final day of the season, before he was reunited with Warnock for the fourth time when he signed for Leeds United in 2012.

He stayed at Leeds for two years, before brief spells with Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic (on loan), Ipswich Town, Bury, and Rotherham United.

Kenny started his career at Ovenden West Riding in the West Riding County Amateur League.