Ex-premiere league player goes from earning £40k a month to £800 cleaning toilets | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

LI_Mobile_Leaderboard_1

Thursday 17 July 2014

Ex-premiere league player goes from earning £40k a month to £800 cleaning toilets

Life! From international football ace to ship cleaner. Former Sunderland player, Kevin Kyle, who used to earn £10,000-a-week playing for the premiere league team now earns £800-a-fortnight working a 12-hour shift on a ship stacking boxes & cleaning toilets. (pictured above left on the ship).

Kevin, 33, who started the job on board the 300-capacity ship on July 8th, said he had no choice but to take the job,
“I’m trying to provide for my family. Many footballers pick up jobs after football but I don’t see stories about them in the newspapers. I don’t really want to publicize my lifestyle in the newspapers about whether I have a job or don’t have a job. I have to work at some point to put food on the table and to provide for my family.” He said
The dad of 3 was jobless for 6 months after his contract with League One minnows Ayr United was scrapped in January.

Managers on the ship reportedly warned his new co-workers not to discuss Kevin's former life as a footballer or bring it up with him as it's a touchy subject.  Continue...


"Kevin started work on the ship earlier this month. It’s sad really to see someone who was obviously well-loved by the fans seemingly ending his career relatively early." A source said
Kevin Kyle works on the Regina Baltic ship in Lerwick’s remote Mairs Quay. Pictured above taking a break in the ship's communal room.
His duties include cleaning floors and toilets, making beds and stocking up supplies on the ship.

Apart from Sunderland where he last played in 2006, Kevin also played for Coventry, Kilmarnock, Hearts, and Rangers.

In a 2010 newspaper interview he said:
“Sometimes in life money is not everything. I know a lot of people disagree with that but I had all the money years ago when I played with Sunderland and Coventry and I p***** it up a wall gambling. So money doesn’t always make you happy. The happiest I have been was the first year at Kilmarnock, playing football and knowing what my wage was.”
at 7/17/2014 11:37:00 am

104 comments:

  1. GOZZY17 July 2014 at 11:40

    Eyah,its one of those things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Toronto Finest 17 July 2014 at 13:53

      Lesson for naija celebs

      Delete
    2. Unknown17 July 2014 at 17:19

      Sad, what happened to investing ur money
      ..dis is a lesson learnt in a hard way to other celebrities

      Delete
  2. CHERRY17 July 2014 at 11:41

    Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. www.glowyshoes.com17 July 2014 at 11:42

    Life indeed...he shuld hv saved nd invested

    Pls visit my shoe blog

    www.glowysofiscated.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. REXOVIC17 July 2014 at 11:42

    Too bad he was gabbling .....if he ever has another chance maybe he can tink straight!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bonita Bislam17 July 2014 at 11:42

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown17 July 2014 at 11:43

    Chai! Asori nwam....such is life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. BONARIO NNAGS17 July 2014 at 11:44

    Pheeew! Somedays are like that.
    Its always good to save for the rainy day.

    ~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown17 July 2014 at 18:02

      Oshey oo Bona! I wonder why he didn't save. It is well.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 11:44

    nah choice... nkemdirimeverista111@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. IG - @Hairbyniyot_ (08135891923)17 July 2014 at 11:47

    Real grace to grass

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bony bony17 July 2014 at 11:51

    Move on dear

    ReplyDelete
  11. josephine17 July 2014 at 11:51

    According to him, he wasted his money gambling..hmmm a big lesson for us all. spend your money wisely and invest with your money.... don't have much to say

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 11:53

    That's just life.......,

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unknown17 July 2014 at 11:53

    I see nothing wrong with this. a man has to take care of his bills, this is better than stealing or going into drugs

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 11:55

    Ok...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 11:57

    He's earning it honestly. At least he's not justifying committing crimes because times are hard.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful butterfly17 July 2014 at 11:58

    He should have been advice to spend wisely and save selfishly

    ReplyDelete
  17. @MEETD®EALEVANS™17 July 2014 at 12:01

    I hope Obafemi martins is reading this... Even Mikel Obi, especially Mikel Obi...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:02

    He'll pick up,There's GOD!...#Americawillknow

    ReplyDelete
  19. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:04

    SUCH IS LIFE ATIMES...... SUMTIMES ITS NT ALWAYS ROSY.
    .
    .

    .
    Moye B.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:04

    Not a very easy transition, suicides are committed for this reason, stay strong bruh,better than crime

    ReplyDelete
  21. okiezman17 July 2014 at 12:06

    That's life, sometimes bad days sometime goods, no one should mock him, it might be you next,
    Okesimaa@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:08

    I reason wit u man!, its nt all abt d money

    ReplyDelete
  23. ary17 July 2014 at 12:08

    Guess he wasn't much of a player then, cos that's what is called a sharp decline!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:10

    from grace to grass

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:42

      So he didn't think to invest? Start a business? Do something? Well that's just dumb he should have used it wisely

      Delete
    2. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:21

      At the least, he's still a very responsible fellow. Many people in his shoes would've gone for the fast lane. The press should leave the guy alone, he has a job and he's paying his taxes. Lest I forget, there's always dignity in labor. Kudos man, keep your head high!

      Chyke
      City: Unknown.

      Delete
  25. Amarachukwu.17 July 2014 at 12:11

    That's life for you...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:13

    SPENDING AND BUYING THINGS ....WITHOUT ANY INVESTMENTS...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:15

    It's nothing new , most athletes and soccer plays fall into backrupcy some years after they retire . His not the first and Wunt b the last. It's a normal trend

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:20

    At lease he has a job. Some will depend on govt or blame their colleagues for lack of support. Much respect for him

    ReplyDelete
  29. ASHANKA17 July 2014 at 12:23

    Oh pele o

    ReplyDelete
  30. DOBY DOBY17 July 2014 at 12:24

    Kai.. al d best shaa tho nt my prayer

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:28

    wow dats bad. Dis is world is reli turning around. From grace 2 grass

    ReplyDelete
  32. Dazzlnbeau17 July 2014 at 12:29

    Quite unfortunate !!!hes still getting paid tho...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Plateaupedia17 July 2014 at 12:29

    When he is suppose to own the ship! Sad

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:34

    He didnt save??? - oma

    ReplyDelete
  35. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:36

    He should've save and invest for the rainy days ahead. Our Nigerian celebs should take note. Especially...........hmmm!

    ReplyDelete
  36. blt17 July 2014 at 12:38

    God help him

    ReplyDelete
  37. kunle17 July 2014 at 12:39

    Sad

    ReplyDelete
  38. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:40

    I tellz u @horpe yemmy

    ReplyDelete
  39. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:42

    only if we all cud invest wisely with the liitle funds. when all hope is lost u know u ve got investments.
    ready not all dat glitters is real gold.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 12:42

    Like seriously! no investing, with all the money he earned as a player..sowieeee in Portuguese voices

    Son of Solomon

    ReplyDelete
  41. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:42

    God forbids bad things ooooooo. Lord ve mercy

    ReplyDelete
  42. Angie17 July 2014 at 12:46

    Hmm..... That's why it's good to save for the rainy days.
    It takes a responsible person to take such a job after touching good money, to cater for his family. Kudos to his inner strength!


    *My R1.50c comment*

    ReplyDelete
  43. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:48

    Yeee!!!unbelievable,Err'thing traced down to gambling

    ReplyDelete
  44. omaahhonda17 July 2014 at 12:51

    Dis will nt b my story IJN,father give me d grace 2 mk use of my youhtful age wisely,so I won't suffer wen I am old,help me lord 2 invest rightly n nt gamble IJN

    ReplyDelete
  45. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:53

    Hmmmm speechless, most times in life people learn d hard way, who would have thought dat dis will happen to him..but I love d confidence he has to face his life, atleast itz better than stealing..well done man

    ReplyDelete
  46. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:56

    "I had all the money years ago when I played for Sunderland and Coventry but I p***** it up gambling". That's too bad.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:56

    Why did he quit easily? Its hard to be jobless in football, there are clubs ready to sign him.Seems he doesnt know his worth..

    ReplyDelete
  48. Unknown17 July 2014 at 12:57

    Why did he quit easily? Its hard to be jobless in football, there are clubs ready to sign him.Seems he doesnt know his worth..

    ReplyDelete
  49. Unknown17 July 2014 at 13:00

    a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
    .
    True talk man, money is not everything but i dont want everything i just want money....
    .
    .
    ***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

    ReplyDelete
  50. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:02

    Is a pity tho,from frypan 2 fire

    ReplyDelete
  51. Unknown17 July 2014 at 13:02

    No investment??

    ReplyDelete
  52. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:02

    I lik ur courage br, no condition is permanent.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Olori Toluwabori Alabi17 July 2014 at 13:02

    Gambling. Lesson learnt. Save for the "dry' days.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:02

    God wil see u tru.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:03

    He didn't invest, he didn't save for the rainy days. When Ur up there always use wat you have upstairs. God help him..M OUT amyumeh

    ReplyDelete
  56. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:03

    Promotion, dats lovely. Pretex4luv@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:04

    I lik ur courage br, no condition is permanent.

    ReplyDelete
  58. hrm paul ojeih17 July 2014 at 13:04

    oloshi thunder fire u made 120,000 pounds a year and u could not do anything with it come to Nigeria and wash toilet foolish man u pissed ur fortune away thru gambling useless thing

    ReplyDelete
  59. Unknown17 July 2014 at 13:05

    Such a sad story. He should have invested and not gambled.

    ReplyDelete
  60. oleegng17 July 2014 at 13:14

    Life!!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:17

    Eyaaa,BARRISTER O.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:19

    Unwanted gbege or yawa olorun maje ari cho!..... Naa So Life Be.... Hmmmm. Olawuyijeremiah@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:19

    Unwanted gbege or yawa olorun maje ari cho!..... Naa So Life Be.... Hmmmm. Olawuyijeremiah@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:20

    I feel 4 u bro , u are a real man by puttin ur family first.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:27

    Doro-Backward... #OFFICIAL*SWAGG

    ReplyDelete
  66. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:29

    wat a damn shame... Pray a club buys u again

    ()L@-WUNMI

    ReplyDelete
  67. FRANK MUSAOBI17 July 2014 at 13:29

    How patronizing of you. At least he's earning an honest living and providing for his family.

    ReplyDelete
  68. @OluwaCatalyt17 July 2014 at 13:31

    @horpe Yemmy: you can say that again...

    ReplyDelete
  69. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:32

    So he is earning 90000 naira per week and that's broke? Smh jst not up his former standard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 15:36

      it's not "broke"....but it certainly isnt much when you take into consideration the cost of living here. 1 months rent in london is on average £1k (for a 1 bedroom)

      Delete
  70. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:37

    God pls let our story be from grace to grace

    ReplyDelete
  71. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:39

    Hmmmm. This is serious

    ReplyDelete
  72. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:39

    There is dignity in labour

    ReplyDelete
  73. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:48

    time is money they say, but he has himself to blame for that becos he picked up gambling without thinking of what the future holds...xoxo peggylicious

    ReplyDelete
  74. iamjavademon17 July 2014 at 13:50

    Mikel, watchout o!!!! Lolz.....Just joking...but seriously this is very very sad. Thats why gambling is not good.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 13:51

    God 4bid diz kinda history in my life! *Flora*

    ReplyDelete
  76. nikkiebillz17 July 2014 at 14:00

    Hmmmm! Dats life,u are on top 2day u ar down 2mrw.Lesson learnt,stay humble! The lesson is not 4 only d footballers,all of us including u linda.Stay humble & invest wisely.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 14:15

    LIFE!!! Investment!!!



    Breezy_p danabiaziem@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 14:15

    Nigerian footballers should learn. Ask Udeze, Babayaro, Dan Omokachi Igali etc

    ReplyDelete
  79. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 14:31

    the problem with sm of the footballers is that they dont make good investment while playing football,they rather spend it buying cars,i respect kanu nwankwo for his contribution not only to his family but others.indelable mark he has made---kanu foundation

    ReplyDelete
  80. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 14:33

    rainy day's... Nobody talks about sunny day's.

    ReplyDelete
  81. His Excellency17 July 2014 at 14:41

    Shipping is the highest employer of labour in europe and Nigeria. Shipping pays the highest wages in the world. imagine earning upto £800 a month for just cleaning and sitting idle. £800 is very big money now in the Uk. 17yrs old boys earn as much as £3000 a month in the Uk and Nigeria as well. Thank God for him @ least he fell stood up and dusted himself.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 14:48

    Its all about moving forward and not backward. Its not for me and shouldn't be for either of us ..
    #PICCANTO#
    lausmithuj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Olubukola Ozone17 July 2014 at 15:13

    But, sorry to say, wasnt he having money in d safe wen he was a footballer? Was he just spendin all dat money as it was comin in?

    ReplyDelete
  84. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 15:28

    Am Sure Our Footballers Λπϑ Celebs Dey Read This Post. (Linda's Man)

    ReplyDelete
  85. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 15:43

    =yes,word of advice frm linda indirectly to all of us d readers here. use all ur money 2day nd buy data bundle to be on LIB,2moro's needs will come knocking,i mean knocking so hard, dt u will rem d glory days. so mak una dey invest,save,do bizness and dnt be all out on d media. Madam linda,if u like post. shebi i don mention ur name,cos u go feel say i dey discourage ppl, bt na truth.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 15:44

    =yes,word of advice frm linda indirectly to all of us d readers here. use all ur money 2day nd buy data bundle to be on LIB,2moro's needs will come knocking,i mean knocking so hard, dt u will rem d glory days. so mak una dey invest,save,do bizness and dnt be all out on d media. Madam linda,if u like post. shebi i don mention ur name,cos u go feel say i dey discourage ppl, bt na truth.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Livvsreamblog17 July 2014 at 16:00

    Money is not everything,but make sure u make alot of it before talking the bullsh*t...

    ReplyDelete
  88. APPLE17 July 2014 at 16:09

    That is life for you!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 16:15

    @Pual Ojei.U're just a waste of sperm.@least now that's he's down,he's not asking ur father for money.he's working!so y dis much curse?frustrated being

    ReplyDelete
  90. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 17:02

    life...patoswife@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. niffyt17 July 2014 at 17:18

    Love this man. Some ll just lay down on the couch and chop chips all day, while Watching TV. There is dignity in labour

    ReplyDelete
  92. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 17:34

    Yea rite,there is dignity in labour
    Cooldavoe@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 18:25

    Well at least he is doing an honest days work. Femi Kuti said in a recent interview that most the so called Nigerian musicians we have today will be irrelevant in less than 10 years because they don't understand what longevity in music is all about. They think it's all about going into studio and shooting a video in South Africa then posing with sign-on fee. Linda get ready,you posting of some then being paraded for armed robbery in the future because trust Nigerians will be tired of them soon enough

    Cynic*Igbo*Guy

    ReplyDelete
  94. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 18:40

    With God by our side!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 18:44

    Its a sad story, a man az to do what az to be done..... But come to think of it, 1600 dolls a month...dats large pay in my country, I believe dats way more dan some bank pay....

    ReplyDelete
  96. maris17 July 2014 at 19:07

    Choi!!!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Anonymous17 July 2014 at 20:18

    That's a result of reckless lifestyle and missmanagement....


    XDON D DON

    ReplyDelete
  98. Schoolingthings18 July 2014 at 02:05

    The amount of tax they usually pay over there did not put the man in the rank of rich celebrities at £10000/week but he could have invested part of the money if he wished to do so. That is one thing with gambling; most of the people blaming this man should actually learn from his financial mistakes instead of just blaming him. We have different categories of gambling being played in Nigeria today in a reckless manner. I just hope that most people will not end up like this man and i also wish him a change of fortune.

    Visit schoolingthings.blogspot.com
    today to do maths revision.

    ReplyDelete

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

Recent Posts