KL: As a young boy growing up in
Bermuda I dreamed of playing professional football.
My opportunity came as a surprise at the age of twenty-three.
How did you cope with the transition from Bermuda
to England? The weather alone must have been a huge culture shock.
KL: The weather was not a problem,
the biggest thing for me was adjusting to the pace of the game, it was a lot
faster than playing in Bermuda.
After around 20 first team appearances for
Scarborough, you joined Walsall on a free transfer following an impressive trial.
What were your first impressions of the club?
KL: Moving to Walsall was the best
thing for my career, it was a club that was used to playing at a high-level, and
from day one I felt at home at Walsall, I said to myself I've got to make it
here.
What did you think of then Walsall manager Kenny
Hibbit and assistant Paul Taylor?
KL:I have a lot of time for Kenny Hibbit and Paul Taylor because they put a lot of time in with me helping me with my game.
You played an integral part in Walsall’s promotion to
Division Two in the 1994-1995 season, scoring 27 goals and forming an amazing
partnership with Kevin Wilson. What are your memories of that season?
KL: Like you said, Kevin Wilson
and myself had an amazing partnership, it was like we knew where one another
was at all times, and getting promoted the last game of the season was amazing.
The following two seasons you were top scorer on
both occasions and helped the club consolidate their Division Two position.
Were you setting any personal scoring targets, and were you happy playing for a
club in the lower regions of English football?
KL: I was very happy playing
football at Walsall also very comfortable with life.
The Saddlers supporters dubbed you ‘killer Kyle’ in
reference to your growing reputation as a predatory striker. Were you surprised
how quickly the supporters took to you?
KL: Yes I was very happy to see
the Walsall supporters take to me. Of course it helps when you score in your
first couple of games!
In the summer of 1997, after making over 165
appearances, scoring over 65 goals for Walsall, you were sold to then Premier
League side Coventry City for £500,000, but after an all too brief spell with The
Sky Blues you joined Stoke City for £500,000 and went on to make over 100
appearances for The Potters. Do you feel Coventry gave you enough of an
opportunity to prove yourself in the top flight or did they allow you to leave
the club too soon?
KL: Moving to Coventry was a great
opportunity for me but at the end of the day all a player wants to do is play
first-team football.
And then moving to Stoke City
was going to give me that opportunity But i got off to the worst possible start
at Stoke I was sick for the first three weeks And the fans were on my back.
I was ready to quit football,l
but thank God for Gary Megson, he saved me. I had both the highest and
lowest points of my career at Stoke.
You went on to join Macclesfield Town in 2001 and
were an integral part in their survival in the 2002-2003 season. What did you
make of your time with The Silkmen?
KL: Macclesfield is a great little
club and I really enjoyed my time there.
After you departed Macclesfield you returned to
Bermuda where you re-joined Pembroke Hamilton and after five years with the
Zebras you joined the Bermuda Hoggies as a player manager with Shaun Goater.
Had you always wanted to go into management?
KL: Yes I'm back in Bermuda coaching, I
have a team called the Bermuda Hogges we play in the USL PDL division.
Finally, do you have a message for the Walsall
supporters?
KL: Yes I love the Walsall
supporters, I’ve been back to Walsall on a few occasions, I spent time with
Dean Smith on the training field with the players last season.
Walsall holds a special place in my
heart I love the supporters always had a fantastic time there and I always feel
welcome.
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