| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John William King | ||
| Date of birth | 9 August 1932 | ||
| Place of birth | Wrenbury, England | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1950–1953 | Crewe Alexandra | 48 | (17) |
| 1953–1961 | Stoke City | 284 | (106) |
| 1961–1962 | Cardiff City | 33 | (6) |
| 1962–1967 | Crewe Alexandra | 178 | (43) |
| Total | 543 | (172) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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John William King (born 1932 in Wrenbury, England) was a footballer who played in The Football League for Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra and Stoke City. He made 284 appearances for Stoke.[1]
Johnny King was regarded as a natural goalscorer and despite his rather 'chunky' build was a fast runner. He started his career at his local side Crewe Alexandra, at Crewe he partnered Frank Blunstone who was later capped by England. When Blunstone left for Chelsea King decided to join Stoke City who were at the time in the Second Division. He immediately began to score goals and quickly became a firm fan favourite. He was a regular goalscorer season after season at Stoke and became one a few Stoke players to have score over one hundred League goals. He later joined Cardiff City and returned to Crewe Alexandra where he help win promotion in 1963. After retirement from football King went on play Tennis and almost qualified for the Wimbledon Championships in 1970.[2]