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Kevin Lisbie: In Profile | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Kevin Lisbie has made the short move from Colchester United to Ipswich Town. Paul Bloomfield assesses the former Charlton Athletic man.Kevin Lisbie’s long Charlton Athletic career included short-term loans to five separate clubs. He joined Gillingham and Reading on-loan in 1999, before experiencing life at QPR in the 2000/2001 season. More recently, Lisbie spent brief spells at both Norwich City and Derby County, as he was finding first-team opportunities at The Valley few and far between. The quick striker showed glimpses of quality and potential whilst at Charlton, but injuries hampered him from establishing a regular place in the side for any real length of time. Lisbie ended his ties to Charlton when he signed permanently for Colchester United in 2007. It turned out to be a prolific season for the striker at his new club, netting 17 goals; the fourth highest total scored by a player in the Championship last season. His goals tally of 17 matched the number of goals he totalled in 12 years with the Addicks, almost doubling his career total, having scored six goals during loan periods. However, his impressive goals haul was not enough to save the U’s from the drop last season. What must surely be considered the highlight of Lisbie’s career was the hat-trick he scored against Liverpool at The Valley in 2003, a game in which Charlton won 3-2. His winning goal was a sensational solo effort, running with the ball from inside his own half, before firing the ball low past Jerzy Dudek from outside the box. Ipswich fans may also remember him for the wonder-strike he scored at Portman Road in 2001 for Charlton, in what was to be Town’s fateful relegation season from the top flight. Lisbie is viewed to be a somewhat controversial signing by a large portion of Town fans, not only because of the mere fact that he has played for Ipswich’s fierce yellow and green rivals, but the part he played in Sito receiving a red card at Portman Road back in 2005. Sito received his marching orders for an alleged foul, in which the Spanish full-back appeared to make little or no contact with Lisbie, when the striker was running towards goal. Lisbie has represented Jamaica at international level, with ten caps to his name, scoring two goals. The front-man completed his estimated £600,000 move from Colchester on July 18th, and has signed a three-year contract. Interestingly, Lisbie will become the first ever player to move directly from Colchester United to Ipswich Town and go on to play for the first-team. Len Jones made the move to Ipswich from Colchester back in the 1950s, but never actually played for Town. By Paul Bloomfield (31st July 2008) Click to view author Paul Bloomfield's profile Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |