Biography

Defender Kim Wassell was handed a trial at Hull City in August 1983 following his return from playing in Australia. He started one senior game, a 4-1 trouncing of Burnley, however he was not able to agree terms with the Tigers and moved on to Bradford City a couple of weeks later.
Kim Wassell was born in Wolverhampton but was joined the junior footballing ranks down the A41 at West Bromwich Albion. He signed a professional contract with the Baggies in June 1975 before commencing a remarkable succession of short term deals, suggesting he had footballing quality but an inability to settle into a team structure. In October 1975 Wassell switched to Southern League side Kidderminster Harriers then transferred to divisional rivals Worcester City in January 1976, quickly earning a trial at Luton Town that saw him join the Hatters in the 1976 close season. By October 1976 he had joined Northern Premier League side Stafford Rangers, in January 1977 he moved to Southern League side Stourbridge after an unsuccessful trial with Sheffield Wednesday.
Wassell joined Division Four side Northampton Town in September 1977, made his senior debut against Crewe Alexandra in October 1977 and scored his first senior goal against Hereford United in December 1978 – in two seasons with the Cobblers he scored once in 23 senior appearances. After spending the early part of the 1979/80 season at Aldershot without making the first team appearance, Wassell moved to West Midlands League side Darlaston in January 1980. He spent the summer of 1980 playing in Finland, then joined Alliance Premier League side Telford United in January 1981 before spending the summer of 1981 playing in Australia for Victoria State League side Doveton SC. Wassell stayed in Australia for two years before returning to England to try his luck in League football once again.
After his short spell at Hull City Wassell had further trials at Bradford City and Gillingham, but did not make a first team appearance for either club. In September 1984 he joined Division Three side Swansea City where he made 4 senior appearances, then after a summer in Finland he spent the early part of the 1985/86 season at home town club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he made 2 Division Three appearances. Wassell spent a month loan at West Midlands League side Gresley Rovers, then played in Finland for three years until his return to League football in November 1989 when he had a short spell at Division Three side Shrewsbury Town, making three appearances. He played briefly for Stafford Rangers in March 1990 then after a short spell returning to Worcester City Wassell again headed for Finland in the summer of 1990 where he spent five years playing for four different teams, ending his Scandanavian career at HJS Helsinki in 1995. He briefly played for Conference National strugglers Telford United in January 1996 before hanging up his boots after a well travelled career.
He returned to live in Wolverhampton once his twenty year playing career came to an end. In 2002 he was working at Stansted Airport and lodging nearby when he was cleared of using a cricket bat to murder his former girlfriend and teenage sweetheart in her Essex home.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 9 June 1957, Wolverhampton
Hull City First Game: 27 August 1983, Burnley H (Division Three), 26 years, 79 days old
Hull City Final Game: 27 August 1983, Burnley H (Division Three), 26 years, 79 days old
Clubs
West Bromwich Albion (1975), Kidderminster Harriers (1975-1976), Worcester City (1976), Luton Town (1976), Stafford Rangers (1976-1977), Stourbridge (1977), Northampton Town (1977-1979), Aldershot (1979-1980), Darlaston (1980-1981), Telford United (1981), Doveton SC (1981-1983), Hull City (1983), Bradford City (1983), Gillingham (1983), Swansea City (1984-1985), Vaasan Palloseura (1985), Wolverhampton Wanderers (1985-1986), Gresley Rovers (1985, loan), Finland (various clubs, 1986-1989), Shrewsbury Town (1989-1990), Stafford Rangers (1990), Worcester City (1990), BK-46 (1990-1992), Gnistan (1992-1993), PK-35 (1993-1994), HJS Helsinki (1995), Telford United (1996)
Hull City Record
Career: 1 apps, 0 goals
Kim WassellSeason | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1983/84 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |