Members News: Bermudian International Ex Sky Blue is 56 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’ Kyle!!

Kyle Lightborne

In the first of two Sky Blue birthdays today we wish ‘Many Happy Returns’ to Kyle Lightbourne who is celebrating his 56th birthday!

Born in Hamilton the capital of Bermuda on 29th September 1968, Kyle first played for local side PHC Zebras from 1986. He was first capped for his country in 1989 representing them right through to 2004 including in their FIFA Word Cup Qualification games. He moved to England to join Scarborough in 1992 at the age of 23 pulling on their shirt 21 times and netting three times before moving to the Midlands joining Walsall in September 1993. With the Saddlers Kyle became a prolific marksman over four seasons finding the net 85 times in nearly 200 appearances between 1993-97.

Kyle Lightbourne in Sky Blue action

Sky Blues manager Gordon Strachan signed Kyle for half a million pounds in 1997 hoping he would make the grade in the top flight. However his chances at Highfield Road were limited given the quality of the existing strikers and so Kyle was only able to pull on the first team shirt ten times (three in the League Cup) but, sadly, without scoring. He did much better on a loan spell at Fulham scoring three goals in his five games.

Kyle in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blues allowed Kyle to move to Stoke City in February 1998 but initially ill health and poor form hampered his progress in a team relegated from Division One at the end of the 1997/98 season. Things got better in subsequent seasons with the Potteries club and Kyle finished with a haul of 25 goals in 130 first team appearances over four seasons with the Potters. He was also in Stoke City’s winning side (beating Bristol City 2-1) in the 2000 Football League Trophy Wembley Final!

After unproductive brief loan spells with both Swindon Town and Cardiff City in season 2000/01 Kyle was eventually released by the Potters. Following a brief attachment with Swedish club IFK Norkopping he spent 2001-03 playing with Third Division Macclesfield Town (17 goals in 80 appearances) and spent a short time out on loan with Hull City (four appearances).

Kyle at the CBS

Returning to Bermuda, in 2007 Kyle teamed up with (now fellow CCFPA member) Shaun Goater as a player and part of the management team of USL side Bermuda Hogges making a dozen appearances before officially retiring from playing football in 2009.

Kyle then moved over to club management at Bermuda Hogges and his first club PHC Zebras between 2007-11 and local side Robin Hood in 2012. Until recently (from September 2017- May 2023) Kyle was manager of the Bermuda national squad, the team for whom he had himself scored sixteen times in forty international games for his country between 1989-2004. He has also represented his country at cricket in the late 1980s and early 90s! Kyle has attended Sky Blues games in recent seasons at the CBS Arena.

CCFPA’s Billy Bell chats with Kyle at GD22

We are delighted that Kyle has become something of a regular at the Association’s annual sporting reunion attending our June Golf Day in 2022, 2023 and 2024!
In the meantime we wish Kyle a very ‘Happy Birthday’ for today!