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Christopher J. (Kit) Symons

[Player Picture]
Personalia:

Born: 8/3 1971
Birthplace: Basingstoke
Nationality: Wales (36/2)
Height: 6`1" (185cm)
Weight: 10st. 10lb (68kg)
Position: Central Defender

League Appearances:

   
League
FAC
LC
Season: Club: App Gls App Gls App Gls
1988-1995 Portsmouth 160 10 10 0 19 0
1995-1996 Manchester City 38 2   0   0
1996-1997 Manchester City 44 0   0   0
1997-1998 Manchester City 42 2 (9) 0 (7) 0
1998-2001 Fulham 102 13 12 0 15 1
2001- Crystal Palace 49 0 6 0 5 0
Total: 435 27 37 0 46 1

Kit joined his former manager Alan Ball and City from Portsmouth in a player+money exchange deal involving Carl Griffiths and Fitzroy Simpson. The total value of the deal was £1,2m, and the towering defender immidiately established himself as centre back. With his hard work and no bullshit as his trademark he soon became a Maine Road favourite, easily outshadowing the other players in the back-four, including former captain Keith Curle, with his performences.

At the start of the 1996/97-season Kit was installed as captain by Alan Ball. With the demise of partner Curle to Wolverhampton, and the fact that City did not head straight for promotion, it proved to be a hard burden for the newly appointed captain. Changes in managership, saw him released from his duty as captain, which he himself described as much of a relief.

With the fans Kit experienced a love-hate relationship. A dear friend to the public in his opening season, after several stunning displays alongside Keith Curle. A scapegoat for the spectators after having to take on him his share of poor defending and cumbersome errors during the darkest aera of the Maine Road history.

Kit was recruited by Fulham on a free transfer in 1998, and battled with City for promotion the next couple of seasons. First from the 2. division, then in 2000 for a return to the Premiership. Fulham and Symons proved the better side on both occations.Luckily City followed close behind.

In December 2001 Kit joined Palace, bringing considerable experience and reliability to The Eagles back-line. The former Welsh international centre-back was signed for £400,000 by Steve Bruce and continued to perform solidly whenever called upon by subsequent managers at Selhurst Park. Kit was himself placed in temporary charge of team affairs, in November 3, 2003, following the sacking of manager Steve Kember and assistant boss Terry Bullivant. Eagles chairman Simon Jordan said at the time that he would not be ruled out of contention for the permanent position, despite his lack of managerial experience. When Iain Dowie was brought in as the new boss in Decemeber the same year, Kit continued to serve as his assistant while putting in consistent performances on the field, helping Palace achieve promotion to the Premiership.


Provided by: Svenn A. Hanssen, svenn@hanssen.priv.no