| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kenneth Paul Hancock | ||
| Date of birth | 25 November 1937 | ||
| Place of birth | Milton, Staffordshire, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Stoke City | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1958–1964 | Port Vale | 241 | (0) |
| 1964–1969 | Ipswich Town | 163 | (0) |
| 1969–1971 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | (0) |
| Bury | 35 | (0) | |
| Stafford Rangers | |||
| Northwich Victoria | |||
| Total | 442+ | (0+) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1978–1979 | Leek Town | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Kenneth Paul "Ken" Hancock (25 November 1937 in Milton) is an English former football goalkeeper. During his career he made 241 appearances for Port Vale and 163 appearances for Ipswich Town. He later played for Tottenham Hotspur, Bury, Stafford Rangers, and Northwich Victoria; and briefly managed non-league Leek Town. He is the younger brother of Ray Hancock.
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Former teammate Roy Sproson described him as: "strong in dealing with crosses, quick reactions and a fine kicker of the ball". He went on to describe a save in an FA Cup tie with Sunderland as one where "[he] turned in mid-air and managed to push the ball round the post in what still rates as the most fantastic save I have seen to this day."[1]
He also had the ability to drop-kick the ball into the opposition penalty area.[2]
Hancock played for Stoke City before joining local rivals Port Vale as an amateur in November 1958, he signed as a professional the next month. After making his debut in a 4–2 defeat at Millwall on 13 December he became an ever present for the rest of the 1958–59 Fourth Division winning season. He lost his place in November 1959 through injury, but regained it by April 1960. He was an ever-present during the 1962–63 season, but was sold to Ipswich Town for £10,000 in December 1964. He later played for Tottenham Hotspur, Bury, Stafford Rangers and Northwich Victoria.[3]
After retiring as a player he returned to Vale in July 1975 as a part-time coach. He moved on to Leek Town as a manager in 1978,[4] later serving as club Chairman. He also sat on the Leek and Moorland League management committee. He co-founded Port Vale's Ex-Players Association with former teammate John Poole.[5]
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