Sammy Kean
Samuel Rae Kean (7 December 1917 – 17 April 2003)[1] was a Scottish football player and manager
Kean was born in Dumbarton in 1917 to James Kean and Sarah Rae Kean.[2] Hibernian signed Kean from Kirkintilloch Rob Roy as an outside left.[1] Kean made his senior debut on 14 August 1937, in a Scottish League match against Queen's Park.[3] Hibs manager Willie McCartney used Kean as left half and he formed a partnership with Matt Busby when Busby signed for Hibs in 1941 as a wartime guest player.[1] Kean made one appearance for Scotland during the war.[4] When competitive football resumed after the war, Kean was an important figure supporting the Famous Five forward line.[1] Kean played in the 1947 Scottish Cup Final and won a league championship medal in 1948.[1] Kean represented the Scottish League once, in April 1947.[5]
Kean ceased his playing career after the 1948–49 season and then worked for Hibs as an assistant trainer.[1] He moved to Dundee in the late 1950s, assisting Bob Shankly with their league championship winning team in 1962.[1] Kean was credited with the signing of Gordon Smith, as the pair had a working relationship dating back to shifts in the Leith shipyards during the war.[1] Kean also coached Falkirk and Partick Thistle.[1]
Kean worked for the Gas Board for the rest of his working life.[1] Besides football, he was also a keen golfer and lawn bowls player.[1] His wife Mary died in 1993 and Kean suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years.[1] When he died in April 2003, Kean was survived by two daughters and four grandchildren.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Death of Sammy Kean". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "Samuel Rae Kean". Brasil, Cartões de Imigração, 1900-1965. 29 May 1953. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ "Sammy Kean". Fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "Samuel Kean". www.londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
- ^ "Sammy Kean". www.londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- Sources
- Hibernian F.C. players at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- 1917 births
- 2003 deaths
- Sportspeople from Dumbarton
- Scottish footballers
- Association football wing halves
- Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C. players
- Hibernian F.C. players
- Scottish Football League players
- Scottish Football League representative players
- Scottish football managers
- Hibernian F.C. non-playing staff
- Dundee F.C. managers
- Falkirk F.C. managers
- Deaths from Alzheimer's disease
- Partick Thistle F.C. non-playing staff
- Scottish Football League managers
- Scotland wartime international footballers