Kyle Critchell
Kyle Adrian Ross Critchell (born 18 January 1987) is a football manager who is first team manager of Portland United. Critchell progressed through the youth and reserve teams at Southampton and had a loan period at Torquay United. He left for Chesterfield and was released by them after half a season, when he moved to Weymouth. A move to Wrexham followed and following an injury he was loaned out to York City and Weymouth. He re-signed for Weymouth following their relegation to the Conference South and later joined league rivals Dorchester Town in 2009. He returned to Weymouth in 2012. Critchell has represented Wales at various levels. He gained five caps for the under-17 team, before making three appearances for the under-21 team from 2005 to 2006. He has made four appearances for the semi-professional team, making his debut against England C in 2008.
 | This article needs to be updated. (March 2017) |
 Critchell playing for York City in 2009 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kyle Adrian Ross Critchell[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 18 January 1987[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Dorchester, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2] | ||
| Positions | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Portland United | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ?–2003 | Weymouth | ||
| 2003–2006 | Southampton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2007 | Southampton | 0 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | → Torquay United (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2007 | Chesterfield | 10 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Weymouth | 35 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Wrexham | 2 | (0) |
| 2009 | → York City (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Weymouth (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2009 | Weymouth | 16 | (0) |
| 2009–2012 | Dorchester Town | 92 | (7) |
| 2012–2015 | Weymouth | 26 | (1) |
| 2015–2016 | Portland United | 11 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2003 | Wales U17 | 5 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | Wales U21 | 3 | (0) |
| 2008–2010 | Wales Semi-Pro | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2022–2024 | Portland United | ||
| 2025– | Portland United | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Kyle Adrian Ross Critchell (born 18 January 1987) is a football manager who is first team manager of Portland United.
Critchell progressed through the youth and reserve teams at Southampton and had a loan period at Torquay United. He left for Chesterfield and was released by them after half a season, when he moved to Weymouth. A move to Wrexham followed and following an injury he was loaned out to York City and Weymouth. He re-signed for Weymouth following their relegation to the Conference South and later joined league rivals Dorchester Town in 2009. He returned to Weymouth in 2012.
Critchell has represented Wales at various levels. He gained five caps for the under-17 team, before making three appearances for the under-21 team from 2005 to 2006. He has made four appearances for the semi-professional team, making his debut against England C in 2008.
Club career
[edit]Born in Dorchester, Dorset, Critchell joined Southampton as a trainee in July 2003 after being spotted playing for Weymouth's reserve team.[3] He played in both legs of the FA Youth Cup semi-final in 2005, and suffered from a broken ankle in the second leg, which Southampton won in a penalty shoot-out.[4] In the 2005 pre-season he made his first appearance in the Southampton first team during pre-season and signed a professional contract with the club on 4 August 2005, but spent most of the 2005–06 season out with a cruciate ligament injury.[2][5]
He joined League Two side Torquay United on a two-month loan in October 2006.[6] He made his league debut on 28 October 2006 in Torquay's 0–0 draw at home to Shrewsbury Town and finished the loan period with 10 appearances.[7][8] He moved to Chesterfield of League One on a free transfer on 19 January 2007, signing a contract taking him to the end of the 2006–07 season.[9] He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on 20 January.[10] During a game against Crewe Alexandra on 7 April he picked up a groin strain, which resulted in him undergoing a scan.[11] He also suffered from a virus while at the club and was released in May 2007, after making 10 appearances as Chesterfield were relegated to League Two.[8][12][13]
Critchell trained with Conference Premier side Weymouth and signed a two-year contract on 20 June 2007.[14][15] He made his debut on 11 August, the opening day of the 2007–08 season, in a 2–1 victory over Halifax Town.[16] Following a 3–1 defeat to Stafford Rangers for Weymouth, manager Jason Tindall singled out Critchell for praise, saying; "The only one out there today who deserves any credit for their performance was Kyle Critchell but overall it was not good enough".[17] He was sent off against Altrincham on the final day of the season after clashing with Gary Scott and he finished the season with 42 appearances.[18][19]
Critchell signed a two-year contract with newly relegated Conference Premier side Wrexham on 24 June 2008.[20] He made his debut in a 2–0 victory over Oxford United, where he played in right midfield.[21][22] After making a further appearance for Wrexham he suffered from an ankle injury during a training session.[23][24] He underwent surgery on this ankle in October, which had been delayed due to illness.[25] After recovering from this injury four months later, he said he was looking to be loaned out to help improve his first-team chances at Wrexham.[26] He eventually joined fellow Conference Premier side York City on a one-month loan on 5 January 2009.[27] He was due to make his debut a day later against former club Weymouth, but the match was postponed.[28] He eventually made his first appearance after playing in the 2–1 victory over Oxford on 13 January in the second round of the FA Trophy.[29] This was followed by his league debut on 17 January in a 3–0 victory over Lewes.[29] The loan was extended for a second month on 4 February and finished his time at York with 11 appearances.[29][30]
He rejoined Weymouth on loan in March until 24 April and made his debut in a 2–0 defeat to Kettering Town.[31][32] He finished the season with eight appearances for Weymouth, while the club was relegated to the Conference South.[33] After making two appearances for Wrexham,[21] he was released on 8 June, after agreeing a deal for his contract to be cancelled.[34] He then re-signed for Weymouth for the 2009–10 season on a permanent contract in June.[35] Critchell left Weymouth in November to join local rivals and hometown club Dorchester Town.[36] He finished the season with 20 appearances for Dorchester.[37] Critchell made 40 appearances and scored three goals in the 2010–11 season.[38]
Critchell re-signed for Weymouth on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 9 August 2012, with the club now in the Southern League Premier Division.[39][40] He explained the transfer by saying "The biggest reason why I have come back is seeing everyone smiling and being positive again. The right atmosphere seems to be back at the club and that can only bode well for the future".[40]
International career
[edit]Despite being born in England, he has represented Wales at under-17 level,[41] with whom he gained five caps.[42] He made his debut for the Wales under-21 team in a 1–0 victory against Austria on 25 March 2005.[43] He was named in the squad to face Turkey in September 2006,[44] which proved to be his final appearance for the team.[45] He was forced into withdrawing from the squad in February 2007 for a friendly against Northern Ireland due to injury.[46]
He was called into the Wales Semi-Pro team for their match against England C in February 2008 and made his debut in this match, with Wales being defeated 2–1.[47][48] He was named in the squad for the Four Nations tournament in May.[49]
Coaching career
[edit]In January 2023 Critchell was announced as the new manager of Portland United,[50] a role he stayed in until stepping down in September 2024. He had managed 73 matches there, winning 34 and scoring 124 goals.[51] In January 2025 he was announced to have rejoined Portland United as a joint manager, alongside Craig Adams.[52]
Style of play
[edit]Described as "an extremely versatile player with boundless energy",[53] Critchell has a preference for playing at right back, although he can also play on the left or in midfield.[54] While in the Weymouth youth system, he played as a striker.[4]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 23 February 2013.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Southampton | 2006–07[8] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Torquay United (loan) | 2006–07[8] | League Two | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Chesterfield | 2006–07[8] | League One | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Weymouth | 2007–08[19] | Conference Premier | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 7[a] | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| Wrexham | 2008–09[21] | Conference Premier | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| York City (loan) | 2008–09[29] | Conference Premier | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5[b] | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Weymouth (loan) | 2008–09[33] | Conference Premier | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Weymouth | 2009–10[55] | Conference South | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| Total | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |||
| Dorchester Town | 2009–10[37] | Conference South | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2010–11[38] | Conference South | 34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 0 | 40 | 3 | ||
| 2011–12[56] | Conference South | 38 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 40 | 4 | ||
| Total | 92 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 100 | 7 | |||
| Weymouth | 2012–13[57] | Southern League Premier | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
| Career total | 202 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 229 | 8 | ||
- ^ Four appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference League Cup
- ^ Four appearances in FA Trophy, one in Conference League Cup
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
References
[edit]- ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2012 and 31/08/2012". The Football Association. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Mainstream Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
- ^ "kyle critchell". Weymouth F.C. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ a b "Saints have Wolves on the back foot before kick-off!". This Is Hampshire. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Critchell set for Saints comeback". BBC Sport. 27 March 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Torquay sign young Saints player". BBC Sport. 27 October 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Torquay 0–0 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Season 2006/2007". Sportbox.tv. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Spireites complete Critchell deal". BBC Sport. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Chesterfield 0–1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Grimaldi injury hits Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 18 April 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "We are focused". Chesterfield F.C. 13 April 2007. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Spireites issue retained list". Chesterfield F.C. 8 May 2007. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Tindall after team-mate". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 25 May 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Bush completes Weymouth takeover". BBC Sport. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Weymouth 2–1 Halifax". BBC Sport. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Tindall fumes over Rangers defeat". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Weymouth 2–2 Altrincham". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2008). Non-League Club Directory 2009. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-1-869833-59-6.
- ^ "Wrexham sign Weymouth defender". BBC Sport. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ a b c Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 156–157. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.
- ^ "Wrexham 2–0 Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Altrincham 1–1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Kyle Critchell injured in Wrexham FC training session". Wrexham Evening Leader. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Flemo Suffers Serious Knee Injury". Wrexham F.C. 16 October 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Wrexham FC's Kyle Critchell keen for loan deal". Daily Post. North Wales. 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "York sign Critchell from Wrexham". BBC Sport. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Critchell's York debut is delayed". BBC Sport. 6 January 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ a b c d Williams; Wright (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2010. pp. 162–163.
- ^ Flett, Dave (4 February 2009). "York City right-back Ben Purkiss fighting for chance to make England 'C' debut against Malta". The Press. York. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ Summers, Adam (20 March 2009). "Critchell returns on loan". Dorset Echo. Weymouth. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
- ^ "Weymouth 0–2 Kettering". BBC Sport. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ a b Williams; Wright (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2010. pp. 408–409.
- ^ "Defender Critchell leaves Wrexham". BBC Sport. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ Summers, Adam (18 June 2009). "Critchell coup for Terras". Dorset Echo. Weymouth. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
- ^ "Critchell leaves". Dorset Echo. Weymouth. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ a b Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 288–289. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
- ^ a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 276–277. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
- ^ Summers, Adam; Capel, Ky (9 August 2012). "Critchell leaves Magpies for fifth spell with Terras". Dorset Echo. Weymouth. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ a b Summers, Adam (14 August 2012). "Critchell's love affair with Terras". Dorset Echo. Weymouth. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ "Rush sees red in Wales win". BBC Sport. 9 March 2004. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "International Teams – Kyle Critchell". Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
- ^ "Wales U21 1–0 Austria U21". BBC Sport. 25 March 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Wales leave out Koumas and Coyne". BBC Sport. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Dragons pull in Critchell". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 26 June 2008. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Flynn unveils next U21 generation". BBC Sport. 5 February 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- ^ "Two new names in Welsh squad to face England". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 6 February 2008. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ Stone, Alex (21 February 2008). "Lions slay Welsh dragon". The Football Association. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "Wales announce Four Nations squad". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 27 May 2008. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Critchell named new Portland United manager". Dorset Echo. 20 January 2023.
- ^ "'Disappointment' as Blues boss steps down". Dorset Echo. 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Blues appoint joint-managers as familiar face returns to dugout". Dorset Echo. 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Profiles". Wrexham F.C. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
- ^ "Kyle Critchell on why he chose Wrexham". Wrexham Evening Leader. 26 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008.
- ^ "Season 2009/2010". Sportbox.tv. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ "Player Stats 2011–12". Dorchester Town F.C. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Weymouth 2012–13 fixtures". Weymouth F.C. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
External links
[edit]
- Kyle Critchell at Soccerbase
