KEVIN SUMMERFIELD

Born: 07 January 1959

Came from: Cardiff City   Went to: Shrewsbury Town

First game: 22 December 1984   Last game: 22 September 1990

Appearances: 163 (141/22)   Goals: 34

Summerfield joined West Bromwich Albion as an apprentice in 1976 and featured in the FA Youth Cup winning team in his first season. This brought him to the attention of the England Youth selectors, and he won six caps in 1976 and 1977. With few first-team chances at the Hawthorns, he signed for Birmingham City in 1982, and a few months later, moved to hometown club Walsall. He enjoyed a successful 18 months at Fellows Park, scoring 17 goals in 42 appearances, before a transfer to Cardiff City. Just six month later, Dave Smith brought him to Home Park.

Despite a slow start, 'Summers' soon made his mark as an unorthodox yet effective player. A forward for most of his career, he moved deeper into midfield, where his ability to turn a match with a single pass or make a run past opponents without them noticing made him the rock around which the midfield was built. He enjoyed five successful years at the club and played an important part in the 1985-86 promotion season. A broken leg, sustained in the FA Cup replay at Everton in January 1989, was the start of a year on the sidelines, and despite returning to full fitness, he never regained his earlier form. A change of management led to a move to Exeter City on loan, and then a permanent transfer to Shrewsbury Town, where he played over 150 games and became team captain. He played his last game six years later, at the age of 37, and then joined the Shrews' coaching staff.

Summerfield returned to Home Park in 1997 as youth team coach, and three years later began his first spell as Argyle's caretaker manager after the dismissal of Kevin Hodges. Paul Sturrock's subsequent appointment, with Summerfield as his assistant, heralded one of the most successful periods in the club's history. Four years later, after first holding the fort for the second time, he followed Luggy to Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town. In November 2007, he returned for two more years at Home Park, one again as Paul Sturrock's right-hand man.