Andy Kirk (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Andy Kirk


fullname = Andrew Kirk
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|05|25|df=y
cityofbirth = Belfast
countryofbirth = Northern Ireland
height = height|ft=5|in=10
currentclub = Dunfermline Athletic
clubnumber =
position = Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1998–1999
1999–2004
2004–2005
2005–2008
2008
2008–
clubs = Glentoran
Hearts
Boston United
Northampton Town
Yeovil Town
Dunfermline Athletic
caps(goals) = 075 (26)
134 (32)
031 (20)
091 (29)
019 0(4)
008 0(4)
nationalyears = 2000–2006
nationalteam = Northern Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 008 0(0)
pcupdate = 10:05, 07 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 12:59, 1 August 2008 (UTC)"This page refers to the Northern Irish footballer. For the jazz saxophonist see Andy Kirk"

Andrew "Andy" Kirk (born 25 May 1979 in Belfast) is a Northern Irish footballer, currently playing for Scottish First Division side Dunfermline Athletic. He is a striker. He is the son of former footballer and current Lisburn Distillery manager Paul Kirk.

Career

Domestic

Kirk started his career with Belfast team Glentoran, having had several unsuccessful trials in England.fact|date=May 2008 In February 1999 Jim Jefferies signed Kirk for Hearts for £50,000.

Initially viewed as an investment for the future, Kirk played in the club's U-21 side for most of his first two seasons at Tynecastle Stadium. However, in 2000–01 he firmly established himself in the first eleven, making 40 appearances and scoring 13 times. After a season decimated by injuries, he made further double-figure scoring contributions in 2002–03 and 2003–04. However, financial restraints at the Edinburgh club resulted in Kirk being released when his contract expired in the summer of 2004.

Steve Evans signed Kirk for English League Two side Boston United. Kirk excelled at York Street, scoring 20 goals in little over 8 months. In March 2005 Kirk signed for Northampton Town for a £125,000 fee, signing a three and half year contract. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northampton_town/4336539.stm Kirk completes switch to Cobblers] , BBC Sport, 10 March 2005]

Despite Kirk scoring on his debut, Northampton lost to Rushden & Diamonds and a stuttering finish to the season witnessed them fall in the play-off semi-finals. The following season, Kirk's 10 goals ensured there was no repeat and Northampton gained promotion to League One.

During the 2006–07 season Kirk was transfer listed alongside fellow strikers James Quinn and Scott McGleish. However, Kirk was taken off the transfer list at the beginning of the 2007–08 season and rewarded manager Stuart Gray with 3 goals in the first 3 games.

Kirk moved to Yeovil Town on 17 January 2008 for an undisclosed fee. He signed a two and a half year contract. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/yeovil/7194229.stm Cobbler Kirk seals Yeovil switch] , BBC Sport, 17 January 2008] He scored twice in the first three games for his new club. In summer 2008 Yeovil rejected a bid from Morecambe for Kirk, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/morecambe/7424079.stm McIlroy targets four new players] , BBC Sport, 29 May 2008] though they went on to sell him to Scottish First Division team Dunfermline Athletic in August 2008, with Kirk signing a three year contract. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/7537956.stm|title= Dunfermline snap up striker Kirk|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=August 1|accessyear=2008] He made his debut coming on as a sub against First Division rivals Partick Thistle [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7536359.stm|title=Partick Thistle 1-0 Dunfermline|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=August 9|accessyear=2008] and scored his first two goals a week later against Queen of the South in a 2-1 win. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7548129.stm|title=Dunfermline 2-1 Queen of the South|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=August 9|accessyear=2008]

International

Kirk has been capped 8 times by Northern Ireland. His debut came against Hungary in April 2000. He has yet to score for his country.

ee also

* Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season 2008-09

References

External links

*
* [http://www.dafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10288~6966,00.html Profile at dafc.co.uk]
* [http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/137/senior/andrew-kirk-forward/ Official Irish FA Profile]

Persondata
NAME = Andy Kirk
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Footballer
DATE OF BIRTH = 25 May 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH = Belfast, Northern Ireland
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =