| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Kirkby | ||
| Date of birth | 29 November 1929 | ||
| Place of birth | United States | ||
| Date of death | August 1953 (aged 23) | ||
| Place of death | Wrexham, Wales | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1948–1949 | Stoke City | 1 | (0) |
| 1951–1953 | Wrexham | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
John Kirkby (29 November 1929 – August 1953) was an footballer who played in The Football League for Stoke City and Wrexham. He made one appearance for Stoke.[1]
Kirkby became Stoke City's first overseas player having being born in North America when he played his only game for Stoke in 1949. He was released at the end of the season and he joined Wrexham. He played five times for the Welsh club. In a match against Crewe Alexandra in 1953 Kirkby collapsed and died on the pitch.[2]