Football at the highest level is full of players who have started their professional careers in non-league football, moving up the football ladder, having been missed by professional scouts in their younger years.
However, some players start at the top and then gradually drop down into non-league. One player who enjoyed that sort of journey is former Everton wonderkid John Paul Kissock, who was once likened to Lionel Messi for his diminutive stature and skill.
Who is JP Kissock?
John Paul Kissock, or JP Kissock as he became known, was once one of the brightest young stars in the youth teams of Premier League clubs. The skilful youngster came through the youth ranks at Everton.
An indication of his talent was that Kissock was playing for England’s under-16 team in 2004 when he was just 14. In September 2006, he also played for England under-18 team at the age of 16.
In December 2006, he signed his first professional contract with Everton at the age of 16. In the same season, he also won the Liverpool Young Sports Personality of the Year award. The expectations for the youngster were sky-high.
Kissock continued his development by playing for the club’s under-18 and reserve team on a regular basis. In fact, he broke Wayne Rooney’s record for being the youngest player to have played in the Toffees reserve team.
In December 2007, Kissock earned his first call-up to the Everton first-team squad for their Europa League clash against Dutch side AZ. However, he didn’t make the final match day squad, but the call-up once again showed his potential.
The 2007/08 held great promise for the young midfielder, as he was a regular on the Toffees bench. He was named on the Toffees bench for 12 Premier League games but failed to make it onto the pitch.
In January 2008, Kissock was loaned out to SPL outfit Gretna, where he made his professional debut and went on to make 11 appearances for the Scottish team.
In season 2008/09, the midfielder was once again a regular on the first-team bench. However, he suffered more frustration as he failed to make an appearance for the Toffees. In January, he was sent out on loan to League Two Accrington Stanley, where he made five appearances and failed to make an impact.
Surprisingly released by Everton
In the summer of 2009, Everton released John Paul Kissock, much to the surprise of many Evertonians, who still believed that the midfielder could make it at their club.
The decision by then-Everton boss David Moyes was devastating for the midfielder, who has since revealed that he suffered from anxiety as a youngster.
His passion for football diminished after his release from the club he had supported all his life. Kissock’s next stop in football was back in Scotland, with Hamilton Academical. However, he was only with the Scottish club until December 2009 and made just three appearances for the Accies before being released by the club.
He ended up working at a taxi firm before returning to football with West Cheshire League team Newton. He later moved on to Formby of the North-West Counties Football League.
Kissock had too much quality for his surroundings, and his displays soon attracted the interest of Liam Watson, the boss of Conference Premier club Southport. He joined the club in December 2010.
He looked more than comfortable playing for the Sandgrounders. He stayed with the club for two seasons in the fifth tier, making a combined total of 28 appearances and scoring four goals.
During his time with Southport, Kissock earned a call-up to the England C team, which is made up of players who play in the English non-leagues.
Shortly after playing for England, the midfielder made a move to Southport’s fifth-tier rivals Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.
Happy Birthday to John Paul Kissock
After breaking Rooney’s record as the youngest Everton reserve, the ‘Non League Messi’ found his way to the Hatters from Southport. Though entertaining to watch he struggled to hold down a first team place.
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Kissock impressed the Hatters supporters with his skill and performances, making 31 appearances and scoring once for Town in all competitions.
In January 2012, Kissock was substituted during a game at old club Southport and had an altercation with his then-manager Gary Brabin. The manager took exception to his behaviour.
In the following summer, the midfielder was allowed to join another Conference Premier club, Macclesfield Town. He joined Town permanently in the summer of 2013. He made just eight appearances for Macclesfield Town, scoring once.
In January 2014, Kissock was on the move once more, this time joining Oldham Athletic, initially on loan with a view to joining in a permanent deal.
The midfielder endured a frustrating stay with the Latics, as due to injury issues, he made just four appearances. Macclesfield released him in the summer of 2014.
He joined Whitehawk shortly after his release before spells with Ebbsfleet, Telford United, a second spell at Southport, and a short spell at Welling United. In January 2019, Kissock made the last move of his career as he re-joined Whitehawk as a player-assistant manager.
Unfortunately, the pandemic cut the time of the former Toffees midfielder, with Whitehawk, short, as he left the south coast club in 2020. He returned to his native Merseyside, and to date, it was his last involvement in football.
In his playing career, the league in which he made the most appearances was the National League, where he played 101 times, scoring five goals and producing 14 assists.
What could have been for the talented star?
It is interesting what could have been for John Paul Kissock if circumstances would have been different. If the midfielder had come through ten years later, he may have got the help he needed with his mental health issues, which could have given him a far better playing career.
However, after his stint at Whitehawk as an assistant manager, we may see John Paul Kissock as a coach in the near future.