Kevin began his career as an apprentice with Middlesbrough but was released after one season. Working in a lumber factory and for a paper mill, he thought the highest level of his footballing career would be with Durham City but Newcastle manager Jack Charlton had spotted him and signed him. He played in the Newcastle side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1985 alongisde Paul Gascoigne, Joe Allon, Ian Bogie and Gary Kelly.

Kevin spent 10 years at St James Park making 227 league appearances for the Magpies before Tottenham signed him for £800,000 in 1994. However injuries and changes of managers limited his opportunities at White Hart Lane to just 18 league appearances (1 goal). Loan spells with Port Vale (17 games, 1 goal) and Charlton (4 games) preceded a loan spell at Carrow Road which resulted in a £250,000 transfer in February 1997. Hie Norwich debut was against Stoke in January 1997.

After Mike Walker's departure, Kevin did not fit into Bruce Rioch's plans and was been granted a free transfer in January 1999 to assist him in his aim of returning to the North East. He joined David Hodgson's Darlington on loan at the end of January. A reoccurrence of his knee injury limited his chances at Darlington with Hodgson unwilling to invest in a player with problems whom he has not had a chance to fully test.

His contract at Carrow Road was canceled on 11th May 1999 so he could return to his native North-East. According to the "Life After The Lane" article in the July 2000 edition of Spurs Monthly, Kevin was playing for non-league side Guisborough. He joined Crook Town in November 2001

He then worked as a coach at the Middlesbrough FC academy and had coached Lee Cattermole, Adam Johnson and Stewart Downing to the professional game.

As of December 2011, he was working as a driving instructor with Loxley driver training.