Kevin Bond

Bond was born in West Ham, London. He started his career as a trainee at AFC Bournemouth where his father, John Bond, was manager. When his father took up the manager's post at Norwich City he too made the move. His league debut was made away to Leicester City in April 1976. 161 appearances followed generating fourteen goals and earning him two England B caps. Wanting to try his luck abroad he had a brief spell in the NASL with the Seattle Sounders. At the start of the 1981–82 season he was again reunited with his father at Manchester City. 110 games for the Maine Road side in the next three years resulted in a lucrative transfer to Southampton, where he spent four years, playing 140 games. He was signed by former club Bournemouth, with whom he played 126 matches, before transferring to Exeter City, Sittingbourne and Dover Athletic where he finished his career.

Bond began his coaching career as reserve team coach at former club Manchester City. Spells as coach at Wrexham and Altrincham followed, before Kevin followed his father into the managerial role when he took over at non league side Stafford Rangers in October 1997. In early May 1998, Kevin was named as assistant manager to Alan Ball at Portsmouth. Following Ball's sacking, Bond became first a scout for West Ham United, and then returned to Portsmouth as reserve team coach under manager Harry Redknapp. However, following Redknapp's resignation and subsequent appointment at rivals Southampton, Bond chose to return to his old club and was appointed as one of the coaches working under Redknapp. When then assistant Jim Smith's contract wasn't renewed following relegation, Bond took up the role. When Redknapp left Southampton to return once more to Portsmouth, Bond also chose to again follow him, but this time he was appointed assistant manager of the Fratton Park side. On 1 June 2006, Bond left Portsmouth to join Newcastle United as assistant to Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder whom he had worked with previously at West Ham United. In July 2006 he completed his UEFA Pro Licence in coaching. Bonds' contract with Newcastle United was terminated on 26 September 2006 after allegations he was prepared to take bungs for players whilst at Portsmouth. On 12 October 2006, Bond was appointed manager of Bournemouth, signing until the end of the season. Although Bournemouth lost the first five…