Jason Brian Kennedy (born 11 September 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
In his 12-year-long playing career, Kennedy spent most of his career with Rochdale with whom he signed in 2009, going on to appear in 177 official games. Apart from Rochdale, Kennedy has previously played for Middlesbrough, Darlington, and has had loan spells with Boston United, and Bury. In 2013, he signed for Bradford City.
Club career
Middlesbrough Kennedy started his career at Middlesbrough. He made his debut for the North East of England club in the 2004–05 season, in a game against Fulham. He made six appearances, four of which were as substitute, in 2005–06, and participated in Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup run in the season against Litex Lovech, playing the full game.
Kennedy was handed a two-year contract in 2005 by manager Steve McClaren. He joined Scottish Football League club Livingston in August 2007 on a six-month loan deal.
Darlington He made another loan move in 2008, this time to League Two side Darlington. On 10 May 2008, Kennedy scored the first goal in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg between Darlington and Rochdale. Darlington went on to win the match 2–1. However, in the second leg he missed his kick in a penalty shoot-out, sending Rochdale through to the play-off final. On 30 May 2008 Kennedy signed a two-year permanent deal with Darlington.
Rochdale On 20 May 2009 Kennedy signed a two-year deal with Rochdale. He scored his first goal for the club on 28 August 2010 in a 3–1 win against Brentford, but was sent-off as celebrating his goal with the fans earned him a second yellow card."Brentford 1–3 Rochdale" BBC Sport. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2013. He followed these up with goals against MK Dons, Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic and ended the season with 4 goals."MK Dons 1–1 Rochdale" BBC Sport. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2013."Rochdale 3–0 Huddersfield" BBC Sport. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2013."Rochdale 2–0 Charlton" BBC Sport. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2013. He played his final game for the club on 27 April 2013, helping Rochdale to a 1–0 win against Plymouth Argyle."Rochdale 1–0 Plymouth" BBC Sport. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013. He left having made over 200 appearances for the club during a four-year spell and was part of the 2009–10 promotion winning team."Kennedy joins The Bantams" Rochdale A.F.C. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
Bradford City On 2 July 2013, Kennedy signed for Bradford City on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract, on a two-year deal."Bradford City make first signing", Telegraph & Argus, accessed 2 July 2013 He had almost signed for the club during the previous transfer window, and rejected the chance to stay at Rochdale as well as an offer from Hartlepool United to sign with The Bantams."Bradford City: Jason Kennedy thrilled to be back alongside midfield 'mentor' Gary Jones" Telegraph & Argus. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013. He made his league debut on 5 October in a 2–0 win away to Walsall."Walsall 0–2 Bradford City" BBC Sport. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
Rochdale Return
On 24 January, Kennedy moved to Rochdale on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.
Carlisle United On 12 March 2015, Kennedy completed a one-month loan deal to League Two club Carlisle United. He made a bright start to his Carlisle career, scoring his first goal on his second start for the Blues, a 2–0 away victory over Northampton.
In May 2015 it was announced Kennedy would leave Bradford City at the end of the season. Kennedy returned to Carlisle the same week signing a permanent two-year deal
He was released by Carlisle at the end of the 2018–19 season.
Hartlepool United Following a successful trial, Kennedy signed for Hartlepool United on 18 July 2019.
Spennymoor Town
Kennedy signed for National League North side Spennymoor Town on loan till the end of the season
Kennedy became a player-coach at Spennymoor in May 2021.
On 11 January 2022, Kennedy joined Northern Premier League Division One East side Marske United on a two-month loan deal.
Marske United
On 25 February 2022, Kennedy joined Northern Premier League Division One East side Marske United on a permanent deal.
In October 2024, Kennedy announced his retirement.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMiddlesbrough2004–05Premier League10000000102005–063000003Appearances in the UEFA Cup060Total4000003070Boston United (loan)2006–07League Two131000000131Bury (loan)2006–07League Two120000000120Livingston (loan)2007–08Scottish First Division18210201Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup0222Darlington2007–08League Two13200002Appearances in the League Two play-offs11532008–0946520213Appearances in the Football League Trophy0536Total59720213010718Rochdale2009–10League Two4202010104602010–11League One4541020004842011–124441030205042012–13League Two464211200497Total1771261723019315Bradford City2013–14League One811010101112014–15202203010262Total283304020373Rochdale (loan)2013–14League Two7000000070Carlisle United2014–15League Two1130000001132015–164424021005032016–1727921102One appearance in the EFL Trophy and one in the League Two play-offs132112017–186000101Appearance in the EFL Trophy1812018–196000000060Total941461413210718Hartlepool United2019–20National League182100010202Spennymoor Town2019–20National League North70000000702020–21900000201102021–226000001070Total220000030250Marske United2021–22NPL East Division1740000312052022–23NPL Premier Division3923000604822023–24NPL Premier Division181200020221Total7475000111907Redcar Athletic2023-24Northern League Division One3000000030Whitby Town2024–25NPL Premier Division30000010402025–26NPL Premier Division1000000010Total4000001050Career total5334924219433460958
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordWhitby Town (joint-manager)10 February 202629 April 2026Total
Honours Middlesbrough FA Youth Cup: 2003–04 UEFA Cup runner-up: 2005–06
Rochdale League Two promotion: 2009–10, 2013–14
References
External links