Leon Knight

Leon Knight

Born 16 September 1982 (Age 25 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #298)

Total appearances 13 – 4 goals

(12 League, 1 FA Cup)

Debut:

25 August 2008 (Home Histon)

Final game:

25 October 2008 (Away Evesham United)

Leon signed for on 24th August 2008 following his release by Wycombe Wanderers. He had begun his career at Chelsea where he made just a single appearance in a UEFA Cup match. During his spell with the Blues, he went on loan to QPR, before having an impressive spell at Huddersfield Town. He also went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion, moving to the Seagulls permanently in August 2003 initially on a free transfer, but following Brighton’s promotion in May 2004, a fee of £50,000 was due to Chelsea. After a difference of opinion with the new Brighton manager, he moved to Swansea City in January 2006, but went out on loan to Barnsley at the end of the year, before moving to MK Dons on January 2007. In January 2008, he moved again, this time to Wycombe Wanderers, but his contract was terminated by mutual consent in August 2008.

Leon made his Diamonds debut on 25th August 2008 against Histon at Nene Park, and scored his first goal for the club at Barrow on 2nd September 2008. He left Rushden & Diamonds in December 2008 after making 10 league starts, with two substitute appearances, scoring four goals. He fell out of favour with manager Garry Hill due to his poor discipline and conduct, and was sacked by the club on 12 December 2008.

A contract dispute meant he was unable to sign for any other English FA affiliated club until his contract had expired. He joined Greek side Thrasivoulos Filis in January 2009 for a six month period, before joining Scottish Premier side Hamilton Academicals on 21 August 2009. He made only one start for the Scottish side, before a tunnel brawl eventually led to his release in January 2010. On 15 January 2010, he joined Scottish League Division One side Queen of the South until the end of the season. In September 2010, he was training with Conference side Darlington, but the contract dispute remained and hoping to earn a more permanent contract, but and on 12 October 2010, Leon joined Irish Premier side Coleraine for the remainder of the season. He was expected to rejoin the Northern Irish side for the following pre-season, but failed to report back, first having a trial with Swindon Town on 28 June 2011 (being released after just two days due to insufficient fitness levels), before expressing a desire to join rivals Glentoran. However, Leon resolved his differences and penned a two-year contract with Coleraine on 25 July 2011, but left in January 2012 to join Glentoran. He was suspended by the club however in May 2012 following inappropriate comments on a social media website, and was released on 22 June 2012. Leon returned to football on 21 August 2014, when he signed for NorthWest Counties Division One side Barnton AFC, managed by former team-mate and Diamond Andy Burgess, receiving International clearance a week later. He had a brief period as manager there before leaving the game to focus on Social Media activities.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 7