Kendall, a goalkeeper, joined Tottenham Hotspur as an apprentice in March 1975, aged 16. He signed professional forms in July 1976, and went on to make his league debut on 4 November 1978 in a 2-2 draw at Norwich.

However, although he spent four seasons with Spurs, he never managed to make the goalkeeper's position his own. His final full season on the club's books saw him spend a nine-game loan period at Division 3 Chesterfield.

He signed for Newport County of Division 3 for a club record £45,000 in September 1980. Here, he became a first choice player and competed in the European Cup Winners Cup after winning the Welsh Cup.

He left Newport as they headed for relegation to Division 4, for Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 1986. Upon joining, Wolves were languishing in the fourth tier, but Kendall became an ever-present part of the side that went on to win back-to-back promotions and lift the Football League Trophy at Wembley. His tally of 28 clean sheets is a club record.

The goalkeeper returned to his native Wales after 4 years at Molineux, joining Swansea City in Summer 1990. He won a second Welsh Cup of his career, but was largely only a back-up goalkeeper during his time with the Swans.

His two seasons with the club saw him play 12 league games, a spell which also saw him loaned out to Burnley to gain playing time. However, after keeping a clean sheet in his first appearance for the Clarets, he conceded 5 (at Blackpool) in his second which saw his loan ended.

Kendall retired from professional football aged 34 and became a police officer in the Gwent constabulary. He moved into training in 2003 and was named national police trainer of the year in 2007.He came out of playing retirement in 2000 though, and made a further Welsh Premier League appearance as he played for Cwmbran against Barry Town, who fielded his son Lee in goal.

On 1 May 2008, Kendall collapsed unexpectedly and died at his home, aged 49.