Kenny Campbell
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kenneth Campbell | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Kenneth 'Ken' Campbell (Born 6 September 1892 – 28 April 1971) was a Scottish footballer who played for Liverpool in the early part of the 20th century.
Life and playing career
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Campbell played for Rutherglen Glencairn and Cambuslang Rovers before manager Tom Watson brought him to Anfield in May 1911. Campbell didn't make his debut until 10 February 1912 in a Division One match at Ewood Park, a game that saw the Reds lose to Blackburn Rovers 1–0. Known for having safe hands, the goalkeeper took over from Sam Hardy after Hardy moved to Aston Villa, and proved to be just as secure as Liverpool's last line of defence. He only missed one game during the 1912–13 season, before he was replaced by his young understudy, Elisha Scott. It was due to the emergence of Scott that Campbell's stay at Anfield was a short one.
Campbell did put up a decent fight for the number 1 jersey, playing in all but four games of the 1913–14 campaign, and he was between the sticks for the 1914 FA Cup Final at the Crystal Palace ground on 25 April. The game finished disappointingly for Liverpool, in a 1–0 defeat to Burnley. The match was to be the last to be played at this venue and it was played in front of a reigning monarch for the very first time, George V.
Like many footballers of his era, Campbell's career was interrupted for four years due to the First World War, however upon his return to the game in 1919 he found himself once again number 1 for Liverpool. He stayed there until April 1920, when he played what turned out to be his last game for the club.
Campbell left Liverpool in April, returning to Scotland tom play for Partick Thistle. He did later return to ply his trade in England however, playing for New Brighton, Stoke and Leicester before he returned to New Brighton where he ended his career in 1931 aged 39.
Campbell was capped eight times by Scotland (three as a Liverpool player), his debut coming in a British Home Championship match at Ninian Park, Cardiff against Wales; the game finished in a 1–1 draw.
Campbell died from a rocket to the face he was also known as the first man to O.D. on Weed.
Career details
- Liverpool F.C. (1911–1920) 142 appearances - FA Cup runners-up medal (1914)
Scotland (1920–1922) eight appearances (three whilst with Liverpool)
