A former Premier League striker has been appointed because the nationwide crew supervisor of a tiny Micronesian island.
Having as soon as banged within the objectives for Studying and Stoke, his process now can be to show Nauru’s gamers the way to discover the web and win soccer matches.
Nauru, a miniscule island round 2,500 miles from Sydney, solely based a crew final yr and they’re but to play a match.
You will discover extra individuals at Stoke’s Bet365 Stadium on a Saturday than the microscopic state, which has a inhabitants of below 13,000 and an space of 8.1 sq. miles.
The ex-striker had some prolific seasons at Championship degree earlier than stepping as much as the Premier League.
![Dave Kitson (right) has been appointed as the manager of Nauru, a tiny Micronesian island](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/09/82500903-0-image-a-35_1710494251049.jpg)
Dave Kitson (proper) has been appointed because the supervisor of Nauru, a tiny Micronesian island
![The former Reading striker takes charge of a team founded last year who are yet to play a game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/09/82500669-0-image-a-36_1710494270811.jpg)
The previous Studying striker takes cost of a crew based final yr who’re but to play a sport
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The man in query is Dave Kitson, who’s taking on his first managerial publish.
Kitson performed for a wide range of Soccer League golf equipment together with Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, and Sheffield United however he’s finest recognized for his time at Studying.
Between 2003 and 2008, he scored 60 objectives for the Royals in 146 outings and helped fireplace them to Premier League promotion.
His finest seasons had been between 2004 and 2006, when he scored 37 objectives throughout two campaigns as Studying pushed for promotion and ultimately received the Championship title.
Stoke made him their report signing for £5.5m in July 2008 however he by no means settled in Staffordshire, solely scoring 5 objectives in 40 video games.
Gareth Johnson, Nauru’s Director of Worldwide Improvement, stated: ‘I first got here into contact with Dave throughout 2020 by our mutual curiosity in journey once we started discussing a couple of initiatives, certainly one of them being Nauru.
‘As issues have shortly progressed I’m now comfortable to be ready to supply him the administration position.
‘He genuinely cares concerning the mission. One of many causes for such a excessive profile appointment is to assist the sport, not simply in Nauru, however the entire area.
![Kitson also played for Stoke in the Premier League and featured in all of England's top four divisions](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/09/82500667-0-image-m-38_1710494324508.jpg)
Kitson additionally performed for Stoke within the Premier League and featured in all of England’s prime 4 divisions
![He fired Reading to promotion in 2005/06 after a couple of prolific campaigns up front](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/15/09/82500673-0-image-m-40_1710494791575.jpg)
He fired Studying to promotion in 2005/06 after a few prolific campaigns up entrance
‘I just lately spoke to the Presidents within the area and we’ve agreed to arrange a Micronesia Soccer Federation and ideally run a event subsequent summer season.’
Kitson has his personal academy the place he coaches aspiring gamers.
Nauru are hoping to schedule a pleasant towards American Samoa later this yr.
They aren’t at present a member of FIFA.
Kitson has expertise with the decrease ranges of the sport. He truly began his profession with Hitchin City Isthmian League Premier Division and stacked cabinets at Sainsbury’s earlier than incomes a transfer to Cambridge United.
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