KEVIN O’CONNOR FACTFILE

Born: Blackburn, 1982 (Age 33) 2000-2004 Starting out as a striker, O’Connor and came through the ranks at Brentford made his debut as a late substitute Football in a 3-2 defeat at Exeter in the League Trophy in February 2000. afterwards His league debut came swiftly in a 0-0 home draw against Wycombe. under manager Steve O’Connor flourished Coppell in 2001- 02, but the Bees Stoke in the Division Two lost 2-0 against play-off final at the Millennium Stadium. made his debut for the Republic He 2004-2007 of Ireland Under-21s in 2003. O’Connor was switched to right-back pain by boss Martin Allen, but play-off continued to haunt him and the Bees semi-finals in 2004-05 as they lost out in the and 2005-06. Brentford’s fortunes exit and O’Connor dipped after Allen’s suffered relegation to League Two 2007-2011 in 2006-07. O’Connor featured more in midfield Two. as Brentford adapted to League Under Andy Scott, the Bees went season up as champions in their second in the fourth tier. He came on as a Football late sub as Brentford lost in League Trophy final against the 2011-present Carlisle at Wembley in 2011. O’Connor’s playing appearances were more limited in his final playing years. The Bees missed out on promotion season on the final day of the 2012-13 and then lost to Yeovil in the play-off didn’t figure. final, though O’Connor O’Connor and Co. made amends winning promotion the following season by to the Championship. He made one season after taking on appearance last a player-coach role and hung up his end of the campaign, which boots at the saw the Bees reach the play-offs. In made 501 appearances and netted total, he Brentford’s 44 goals. He’s been inducted into Hall of Fame and is now assistant manager of the Under-21s.