Jason Brett Kearton (born 9 July 1969) is an Australian soccer coach and former professional player.
He was a goalkeeper from 1987 until 2004. After starting his career with Brisbane Roar, he moved to England to play in the Premier League for Everton. He also played in England with Stoke City, Blackpool, Notts County, Preston North End and Crewe Alexandra. He finished his career with Brisbane Strikers and now owns his own goalkeeping coaching school.
Playing career Kearton was born in Ipswich, Queensland, and began his career in his native land, firstly with Coalstars and then with the Brisbane Lions. In 1988, at the age of 19, he made the biggest move of his career when then-Everton manager Colin Harvey signed him as cover for first-choice Neville Southall. He was never able to dislodge Southall from the number one spot at Goodison Park making eight appearances for the club in eight years. He spent time out on loan at Stoke City in 1991–92 where Kearton kept six clean sheets in sixteen appearances for the Potters. He also spent time on loan at Blackpool (14 appearances) and Notts County (12 appearances).
In 1995, Kearton signed for Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra, where he spent four years and made close to 200 league appearances helping the side gain promotion in 1996–97 by beating Brentford in the play-off final. In August 2001, he returned to his homeland and went on to play for Brisbane Strikers and Queensland Lions.
In 2014, Kearton was an unused substitute for the Roar in an FFA Cup match against Adelaide United.
Coaching career Kearton is the owner, founder and head coach of Jason Kearton Goalkeeping, an Australian-based goalkeeping soccer academy. He was appointed goalkeeping coach of A-League club Brisbane Roar in 2012.
Personal life He has two UK-born children.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsEverton1991–92First Division00000000001992–93Premier League50100000601993–94Premier League00001000101994–95Premier League10000000101995–96Premier League0000000000Total6010100080Stoke City (loan)1991–92Third Division160000010170Blackpool (loan)1991–92Fourth Division140000000140Notts County (loan)1994–95First Division100000020120Crewe Alexandra1996–97Second Division3004000604001997–98First Division4301010004501998–99First Division4601050005201999–2000First Division4601050005202000–01First Division260004000300Total191070150602190Career total237080160902700
Honours Everton FA Cup: 1994–95 FA Charity Shield: 1995
Crewe Alexandra Football League Second Division play-offs: 1997
References
External links
Jason Kearton Goalkeeping Website Kearton's profile at Supercamp Australia