BERTRAND COZIC
Date of Birth: May 18, 1978
Place of Birth: Quimper, France
KHFC Career: January-May 2005
Harriers apps: 14

Frenchman Bertie Cozic began his career in his homeland, turning out for Bihoral, before coming over to England and Team Bath in 2002.

The midfielder enjoyed a fine debut season with the University side and was one of the stars of their FA Cup run of the 2002/03 season which took them to the First Round proper where they were ultimately beaten 4-2 by Mansfield Town.

At that point, Cozic was spotted by Cheltenham Town manager Bobby Gould, and taken in to the professional game with the Robins in 2003. After a season at Whaddon Road he moved on to have spells with Hereford United and Northampton Town in the Football League.

Joining the Cobblers for the 2004/05 season, Bertie turned out 14 times for the Sixfields outfit before being let go to Harriers, fancied as he was by then Aggborough boss Watkiss - who had been in charge at Mansfield at the time of the Bath Cup run.

"Betrand's arrival will increase competition for places in midfield," Watkiss had told the club's official website shortly after the deal was announced.

"He's an athletic player who is very mobile. I've watched him on quite a few occasions and also asked a number of people about him, and they've all given him rave reviews."

Having already won once at Aggborough as a Northampton player that term, Cozic made his club debut away at Scunthorpe United, Gary Birch's goal not enough as the side narrowly went down 2-1. Perhaps by mere coincidence, his arrival coincided with two poor defeats to Chester, Shrewsbury, before form picked up with memorable away successes at Notts County and Darlington.

Already an article of history done to death, Harriers battle against Football League relegation was lost and Cozic was one of a large batch of players released at the end of that campaign.

From there, Cozic followed Harriers into the non-league scene with a spell at Aldershot Town before heading back to Team Bath in time for the 2005/06 campaign. Featuring in almost every came up to the half-way point of that term - scoring goals, too - Cozic departed Bath for a second time, following boss Paul Tisdale to Exeter City.

Both boss and player still remain at St. James' Park, and the 31 year-old has featured extensively in the club's tremendous rise from the Nationwide Conference all the way up to League One.

With more than 30 appearances to his name this term against the likes of Norwich, Leeds and Southampton this term, Cozic's career looks to be one with plenty more highs than lows.

Written for publication, April 2010