Born in Amsterdam, Kuipers started his footballing career with Sterk Door Wilskracht (SDW), before moving to England in 1999 to join Bristol Rovers, where he spent 16 months.

In 2008, he played a big part in Brighton's upset victory against Manchester City in the League Cup, saving Michael Ball's effort in the penalty shoot-out.

[5] The following month he saved another decisive penalty in a shoot-out; this time from Leyton Orient's Luke Ashworth in the Football League Trophy.

[9] Kuipers' career with Crawley did not start well, being sent off twice during the first month of the season against Grimsby Town[10] and Forest Green Rovers.

[14] He featured on the bench for all the remaining games that season as cover for first choice keeper Graham Stack.