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24
Apr
‘Finally a bit of luck’: Harrogate’s Liam Kitching reacts to Premier League promotion
Harrogate footballer Liam Kitching has had a year to remember.
In his third season with Coventry City, he helped his side to Championship glory, winning promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2001.
Playing 40 games across all competitions, Kitching’s role in the heart of Coventry’s defence has been huge in their title challenge.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret, he said:
It feels amazing. To secure promotion in front of 7,000 away fans was really special. It still hasn’t properly sunk in, but it’s an incredible achievement with a special club.
Finally, we’ve had a bit of luck. We lost the play-off final on penalties in 2023, then got knocked out of the FA Cup semi-final on penalties, then got knocked out of the play-off semi-final in the last minute by Sunderland last year. It’s nice to finally have one go our way.
Perhaps the most controversial moment was the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, which saw VAR rule out a 121st-minute winner for the Sky Blues by a hair’s breadth.
Kitching’s journey
Kitching’s rise to the top has been anything but conventional.
After joining Leeds United’s academy at seven, he moved to Harrogate Town on loan at just 17.
Arriving in January 2018, he helped the club reach the National League and spent a further season under Simon Weaver – a manager he credits as pivotal to his development.
Liam Kitching played for Harrogate Town for a season and a half.
Seeking regular first-team football, Kitching left Leeds permanently for Forest Green Rovers, ending a 12-year stay in Yorkshire.
He said:
I knew I was going to have to do it the hard way. I always say to the young lads they need to go into the men’s game and get roughed up a bit rather than stay in the under-21s. The non-league experience is massive physically and mentally, whereas the under-21s level is a bit fake and it doesn’t really matter if you win, lose or draw.
I didn’t think non-league would be as hard as it was. You could see straight away how much everyone cares. I remember playing games and getting elbowed and thinking, ‘You don’t get that in the under-21s!’ It made me the player I am today.
After two seasons in Gloucestershire, he earned a move to then-Championship club Barnsley, before signing for Coventry two years later.
The centre back said that the step up from League Two to Championship level is considerable, with the pace of play much faster than in the lower leagues.
He added that individual players can punish you much more at that level, and that he’s sure he’ll see it even more in the Premier League.
Kitching at Barnsley. Photo: @liamkitching on Instagram
Coventry’s rise
Since arriving in 2023, both player and club have been on an upward trajectory.
He said that was down to a strong culture:
You don’t realise the stature and size of the club until you actually get there. From the top down, it’s brilliant. The fans are absolutely amazing, too. They sell out away ends every week and are like our 12th man. You don’t realise just how much they help you.
Liam Kitching and centre back partner Bobby Thomas. Photo: @liamkitching on Instagram
Another catalyst has been manager Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea and England legend took charge in November 2024 with Coventry sitting 17th. Just over a year later, they’re champions.
Kitching told us what it was like to be managed by Lampard:
Unbelievable. He’s a legend of the game and has played at every level. His man management is great and he’s brought tactics that we’ve all got on board with. What I noticed is how much of a winner he is. He’s won everything, and he brings that mentality into his management.
Frank Lampard celebrates Coventry's promotion. Photo: @coventrycity on Instagram
Kitching admits he was initially starstruck, but has since built a strong relationship with his manager.
Premier League dream
Next season will mark Kitching’s first taste of England’s top flight.
He’s looking forward to playing at Elland Road, if Leeds survive, and Old Trafford.
He admitted that the club hadn’t discussed next season’s targets, but the 26-year-old has his own ambitions firmly set:
The Premier League has always been my dream. I can’t wait to play in it and I want to show what I can do here.
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