Derek King (footballer, born 1929)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Derek Albert King | ||
| Date of birth | 15 August 1929 | ||
| Place of birth | Hackney, England | ||
| Date of death | 16 June 2003 (aged 73) | ||
| Place of death | Huntingdon, England | ||
| Position(s) | Central defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1945–1956 | Tottenham Hotspur | 19 | (0) |
| 1956 | Swansea City | 5 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Derek Albert King (15 August 1929 – 16 June 2003) was an English professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City.[1]
Biography[edit]
King attended the Glynn Road School, Hackney.[2] After leaving school aged 14 he trained as a tie maker and played his early football for Alexander Palace football club in 1945. King joined Tottenham Hotspur as a junior in the season of 1945–46. After completing two years National Service serving with the Grenadier Guards he returned to Tottenham and in 1950 he became a full-time player.[2] He made his senior debut in a 1–0 home win against Fulham on 20 August 1951. The central defender made 19 appearances for the Spurs [3] before transferring to Swansea City in August 1956. A resolute player he featured in five matches with the Vetch Field club in 1956 before a recurring knee injury ended his senior career in December 1956. King attempted a comeback at Ted Ditchburn's Romford in 1959.[4]
Post football–career[edit]
After retiring from football King used his skills as a tie maker when he was employed by Spurs legend Dave Mackay at his tie business. He later worked as a school caretaker. At one time he lived adjacent to White Hart Lane at Paxton Road and maintained a close interest in football up to his death at a Huntingdon nursing home in 2003.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Hugman, BJ (Ed) The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005 (2005) ISBN 1-85291-665-6 p350. Retrieved 17 June 2010
- ^ a b c Derek King's obituary Retrieved 17 June 2010
- ^ Tottenham Hotspur F.C A-Z of players Retrieved 29 November 2012 Archived 15 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Swansea City profile Archived 9 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 June 2010