Gareth Kirkham

Gareth Kirkham is an English Rugby Union player. He currently plays for Cornish Pirates. He used to play for Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership [cite web |url=http://www.salesharks.com |title= Sharks playing squad|accessdate=2008-06-28 ] . Kirkham joined the Pirates in September 2008 after the Sharks terminated his contract following several disciplinary incidents both on and off the field. [The Times : Pirates sign Kirkham]

His position of choice is Hooker but he can also play Prop and Number 8. Kirkham has made his name as being a Fiery young player, a moment in his early career to show this best was when he was left out of the Sale Sharks side for a crucial league match against the London Wasps. He infamously smashed his head against the team bench several times. [Gareth kirkham : conrnwalled out]

Early life

Kirkham was born in Cornwall on the 19th April 1989. In 1993 he moved North to Micklefield where he was educated at Micklefield primary school [Gareth Kirkham: Cornwalled out page 11] . Kirkham struggled to cope with the transition from Cornwall to Yorkshire and his broad Cornish accent made him the butt of several practical jokes [Gareth Kirkham: Cornwalled out page 23 ] .

Kirkham discovered his sporting prowess at secondary school where he began to play Rugby. His pale skin, blonde hair and rounded physique earned him the nickname "cue ball" amongst his peers [Icons of Rugby by Shaun O'Neill page 114] .

Rugby career

Kirkham signed for the Sale Sharks in 2005 at the age of 16. After several outstanding performances for the acadamey he was called up for his debut against Leicester Tigers in the 2006/2007 season at the tender age of 17 [cite web| url=http://www.totalrugby.com | title= Sharks hand youngster debut] .

Kirkham went on to make 23 consecutive appearances for the Sharks. This run was ended when he fractured his left ulna having fallen down an uncovered man hole on a night out in Manchester. [The Times newspaper: sharks star injured in drunken disgrace] . Kirkham made his comeback in the final game of the 2007/2008 season.

Kirkhams career at the Sharks came under scrutiny when the Sale Sharks began pre-season training in July for the forthcoming season. However Kirkham had not been speaking to his team mates. His only form of communication had been strange noises similar to the ones he would make in high school [The Times: Sharks invaded by whales] . Dr McTerrde likened the noise to a whale's mating call [Research programme on human vocals by Dr McTerrde: professor of psychology at the University of Manchester] . This was a huge problem as Kirkham had not been able to call any set plays instead he just made the odd noise. [pronouced Eur-ghh] . This was a major factor in the club's decision to terminate his contract. [The Mirror : Sharks lose patience with Kirkham]

Kirkham signed a 1 year contract with the Cornish Pirates in September 2008, meaning he will play in National League 1 for the 2008/09 season. Kirkham hopes to help his hometown club achieve promotion to the top flight. [Cornish Express : Kirkham targets promotion]

Kirkham has been named in the England squad several times. However he has turned down the approachs several times. Kirkham attended a meeting with RFU officials to explain his decisions. Kirkham stated that he would not play for England unless he was named captain of the side and given his own personal changing room and showering facillities [Cornish Express: Kirkham says no to England] . Kirkham did however represent England at under 19 level. Although he only played 1 game. Kirkham went AWOL from the under 19s Six Nations after the RFU refused to meet his request that the name "Kirkham" on the back of his shirt be spelt bacwards and with a "C" instead of a "K" (Mahkric). This further reinforced his reputation as a loose cannon [Rugby Annual 06 page 234] .

Autobiography

Kirkham released his Autobiography, Gareth Kirkham: All cornwalled out in April 2008. Whilst the book received good reviews, sales were poor. Less than 50 copies were sold, perhaps due to Kirkhams relatively low pedigree in Rugby, after all he is only a rookie. With the book not selling to the standards that Kirkham thought it would then he has decided to take it off the market, and has plans for a full relaunch later on his career. Obviously with added detail to his career.

Life outside Rugby

Kirkham is a keen animal rights activist. He has endorsed many anti cruelty to animal campaigns. [RSPCA leaflet 45] With these strong feelings towards animal cruelty, Kirkham is a firm vegetarian and has been for many years. These attitudes that Gareth has towards meat, originated from his mother. From a small child his mother refused to feed him meat, this stuck with the rugby star. He now hates meat eaters. [Gareth Kirkham : All cornwalled out, RSPCA] He been a constant fixture in the television advert for Quorn meat. [Televison listings]

Kirkham was due to appear on celebrity who wants to be a millionaire in August 2008 [The Times newspaper] . However TV bosses scrapped the show after Kirkham revealed in an interview with The Daily Mirror that he would have no hesitation in headbutting host: Chris Tarrant should he fail to win £1 Million [ [The Daily Mirror 1/6/08: Sharks star to butt Tarrant]

In May 2008 Kirkham was inducted into the "Cornwall Hall of Fame" [Cornish legends by Gary Simmonds page 221] . However Kirkham showed a complete disregard for the award. The ceremony had a black tie dress code. Kirkham however attended wearing flip-flops, combat trousers, a superman t-shirt and a green bandanna [The Times 23/5/2008: Kirkham strikes again] . When asked about his attire, Kirkham replied "I'm Gareth Kirkham and i'l do what i want, at the end of the day Kirkham is Cornwall" [Cornish Express] .

Kirkham is a hardant cricket fan, he was often seen at Lords spectating England. However his membership of the ground has been terminated, after an incident which took place on the 2005 Ashes tour. He famously walked in front of Shane Warnes eyesight, when he was batting. Showing the Australian spinner the V sign. [The Sun : Sale Star disgraced]

Criminal Record

In the summer of 2006 Kirkham was arrested for indecent exposure, after a friends party in Manchester [The sun : ohh dear]

Kirkham was reprimanded on charges of ABH after attacking Sky Sports pundit and ex rugby league player Mike "Stevo" Stephenson in a pub car park in Manchester city centre [The Sun: Sharks star in car park brawl] . The incident occurred after an argument between the two over which code of rugby was better. Kirkham then hit "Stevo" with a glass bottle. However Kirkham came off the worse after "Stevo" punch him out of self defence, knocking the Sharks star unconscious. Kirkham did not regain consciousness for twenty seven minute. [The Star: Kirkham out of the count] .

Kirkham was also fined £1500 for drunk and disorderly conduct, following an incident where he attempted to replicate WWE superstar Rikishi's finishing move: The stink face on a Japanese student [The Star:Kirkishi] .

In October 2008 Kirkham was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to another charge of ABH. The incident occurred after the Sale Sharks annual awards ceremony. Kirkham was infuriated when he found out he had not won anything, feeling his performances had warranted the player of the year award. Kirkham then threw a dinner plate at Charlie Hodgson, who had won the award. Hodgson was admitted to hospital and needed eight stitches above his right eye/ [The Sun : Kirkham Strikes Again]

Religion

When Kirkham moved from the south of England to the north, he never really had a firm belief in religion. [Gareth Kirkham : All Conrwalled out.] However one sunday morning his mother made him go to the local Church Sunday service. According to Kirkham the stain glass windows and beautiful stone mason work brought a tear to his eye. Ever since that Sunday morning Kirkham has been a loyal Christian [Gareth Kirkham : All Cornwalled out.] . However, there has been some controversy over Kirkham's true understanding of the religion. It has been reported that for one training session for his rugby club the Sale Sharks he wore a turban thinking that this was the symbol of Christianity. [The Daily Mail: Sales Star A Bit confused.]

Future

Kirkham's long term future in top flight English Rugby has come under jeopardy. After the Sharks publicly declared they would not select him for any games whilst he was refusing to communicate with team mates. Kirkham had expressed a desire to join French Club Stade Francais. However the club have ruled out such a move as they have not yet forgiven him for his behaviour in a 2007 Heineken Cup clash between the French club and the Sharks. Advertisement of alcohol in France is prohibitted and Stade Francais were far from happy when Kirkham turned up to the match in a novelty Foster's hat. Stade Francais failure to prevent alcohol advertisement taking place earned the club a $3,400,000 fine. The club tried to pass the fine on to Kirkham. Kirkham told them to "get bent". [The Star: Kirkam strikes again] . Kirkham will instead line up for the Cornish Pirates for the 2008/09 season. Kirkham hopes to be playing in the Guinness Premiership by 2010.

References