Where Are They Now?                                   Profiles of ex-Luton players

Kelvin Davis

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Height: 6ft, 1in. Weight: 12st, 2lb. Born: Bedford, 29.09.1976. Nationality: English. International Honours: England Youth & U-21.

Born in Bedford on the 29^th September 1976, Kelvin started his career as an apprentice at Luton. An extremely popular keeper with the fans and a former England under-21 international, Kelvin made his debut for Luton on the last game of the 1993-94 season against Stoke City as a replacement for regular first choice Juergen Sommer, a game which Luton drew 2-2. Kelvin signed his first professional contract with Luton shortly after in July 2004.

In September 1994, Kelvin was loaned out to Torquay United where he made a total of 4 appearances. On his return to Luton, the 6ft 1’’ keeper struggled to hold down a regular first-team place mainly due to the arrival of the giant American Ian Feuer in 1995. Subsequent loan spells ensued, with Kelvin being shipped out on loan to Hartlepool United at the beginning of the 1997-98 season to gain valuable first-team experience.

Kelvin Davis at the Hatters.

On his return, Luton were experiencing something of a goalkeeping crisis with regular first choice goalie and fans' favourite Ian Feuer sidelined through injury. Kelvin stepped into first-team action and impressed so much in his 29 appearances that season that when Feuer returned from injury, he was subsequently sold.

Kelvin made the first-team jersey his own with first class displays and excellent shot stopping skills until the end of the 1998-99 season when Luton, being a selling club, reluctantly accepted a bid of £600,000 from Wimbledon. Kelvin, who made a total of 103 appearances for the Hatters, completed his move shortly after, teaming up again with ex-Hatter Chris Willmott.

Kelvin Davis in action during his Wimbledon days.

Kelvin took over as first choice Wimbledon goalkeeper from Neil Sullivan in 2001 and became a huge favourite with the Dons fans in his four years at Selhurst Park. His rave reviews from fans and pundits alike meant that the premiership clubs came calling and Kelvin spent a few days on trial at Everton in 2001 as well as attracting interest from then Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor.  This interest was enough for the Dons to slap a £6 million price tag on his head and his dream move to the Premiership failed to materialize.

However, when Wimbledon went into Administration in the summer of 2003, Ipswich Town came calling and signed Kelvin on a bargain free transfer. Kelvin made a total of 146 appearances for the Dons over a total period of 4 years.

Kelvin Davis in action for Ipswich Town.

Kelvin’s move to Portman Road reunited him with coach Malcolm Webster who Kelvin worked with at Luton and credits with developing him as a player and a person. Kelvin also admits that working with him again was a big factor in his decision to join the Tractor Boy.

Kelvin’s arrival at Portman Road soon saw him become first choice ‘keeper.  Taking over from Andy Marshall in the 2003-04 season, he missed just one game, a stomach virus keeping out of the game against Gillingham and his overall performances that season merited a play-off place for Ipswich, where they disappointingly lost to West Ham. However, the 2004-05 season saw a vast improvement in results and Ipswich narrowly avoided promotion to the Premiership, losing in the play-offs.

However, Kelvin did find his way to the Premiership prior to the start of the following season, the 2005-06 campaign, joining Sunderland for £1,250,000 in June 2005.

Profile By:  Chris Johnson