Kevin Anthony Jance Nolan (born 24 June 1982) is an English former professional footballer and coach, who manages Northampton Town.

Part of the team that beat Preston North End in the 2001 First Division play-offs to gain promotion to the Premier League, he soon became a regular first-team player for the club.

Following the arrival of Gary Megson as Bolton manager, the team's and Nolan's performances were criticised by a section of the club's fans.

Nolan left West Ham United by mutual consent in August 2015, and the following January he took over as player-manager at Leyton Orient, losing his managerial role in April.

Born on 24 June 1982 in Liverpool, Merseyside,[2] Nolan was brought up by a football-playing family in Toxteth,[4] and wanted to be a footballer from a young age.

[5] As a child, he supported Celtic and Liverpool,[6][7] although conversely, his favourite players were Eric Cantona and Lee Sharpe of Manchester United.

[7] Nolan was invited to a Bolton Wanderers youth team training session by a friend, and was soon signed up to the club's books.

[8] He played the whole match, as Bolton Wanderers beat Preston North End in the First Division play-off, winning promotion to the Premier League.

[13] In the 2003–04 season, Nolan's goals against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur helped Bolton finish eighth in the league.

[2][13] The following season, Nolan was part of the team who reached the FA Cup quarter-final, before being defeated by Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium.

He scored the winner as the club overcame Zenit St. Petersburg 1–0 in the group stages,[18] and a further nine in the league to help Bolton finish eighth, missing out on European qualification.

Nolan's long throw-in set up a goal, which helped Bolton achieve a 2–2 draw away against German champions Bayern Munich, who dominated the match.

[22] On 29 January 2009, it was revealed that Newcastle had agreed a £4 million fee with Bolton Wanderers,[23] which was confirmed the next day, with Nolan travelling to Tyneside to discuss terms and undergo a medical.

[25] On 22 February, Nolan received his first red card playing for Newcastle United in a home match against Everton for a two-footed foul on Victor Anichebe.

[31][32] Nolan captained Newcastle for the first time in a 5–1 win against Cardiff City taking over for the absent Nicky Butt and Alan Smith.

[33] On 5 April 2010, Newcastle United secured automatic promotion to the Premier League, after fellow contenders Nottingham Forest failed to beat Cardiff City.

[41] On 26 February 2011, Nolan scored his 50th Premier League goal, against his former club, Bolton Wanderers at St James' Park, which finished 1–1.

[42] West Ham confirmed the signing of Nolan on 16 June 2011 for an undisclosed fee on a five-year contract, taking over the vacant number 4 shirt.

West Ham won the match 2–1 with goals from Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Tê sending them back to the Premier League after a one-season absence.

[57] He was fined two weeks wages, £100,000, by West Ham with manager Sam Allardyce considering removing the captaincy of the club from Nolan.

[68] On 26 January, against Newport County at Brisbane Road, he made his debut in the 79th minute for Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, and sent in the cross from which the O's won a penalty kick which Jay Simpson converted for the only goal of the game.

[71][72] On 12 April 2016, with the team two points off the play-offs, Nolan was relieved of his duties as manager of Orient, the role transferring to Andy Hessenthaler.

[81] On 23 December 2024, Nolan was appointed as manager of Northampton Town on a two-and-a-half-year contract, replacing Jon Brady who had resigned three weeks earlier.