Duncan McKenzie
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Duncan McKenzie | ||
| Date of birth | 10 June 1950 | ||
| Place of birth | Grimsby, England | ||
| Height | 5ft 8ins | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1969–1974 | Nottingham Forest | 111 | (41) |
| 1969–1970 | → Mansfield Town (loan) | 10 | (3) |
| 1972–1973 | → Mansfield Town (loan) | 6 | (7) |
| 1974–1976 | Leeds United | 66 | (27) |
| 1976-1976 | Anderlecht | 9 | (2) |
| 1976–1978 | Everton | 48 | (14) |
| 1978–1979 | Chelsea | 15 | (4) |
| 1978–1981 | Blackburn Rovers | 74 | (16) |
| 1981-1981 | Tulsa Roughnecks | 31 | (14) |
| 1982-1982 | Chicago Sting | 20 | (3) |
| 1983-1983 | Ryoden FC | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Duncan McKenzie (born 10 June 1950 in Grimsby, Lincolnshire) is an English former footballer who played as a striker in the Football League for Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town, Leeds United, Everton, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers in the 1970s,[1] in Belgium for Anderlecht,[1] in the North American Soccer League for the Tulsa Roughnecks and the Chicago Sting,[2] and for Ryoden FC in Hong Kong.
Playing career
McKenzie started his career with Nottingham Forest. He was loaned to Mansfield Town in exchange for emergency goalkeeper Dave Hollins.[3]
McKenzie was signed from Nottingham Forest by Brian Clough during his 44-day reign as manager of Leeds, and was the only one of his signings to subsequently flourish at the club. Initially, he attracted media attention for his achievements outside of the game, which included the ability to jump over a Mini and to throw a golf ball the length of a football pitch. However, once established in the Leeds side, he soon attracted attention for the quality of his footballing skills; in the 1975–76 season he established himself as Allan Clarke’s striking partner, and scored 16 goals in 39 matches.
McKenzie was a sublimely talented individual, capable of running rings around the most astute of defenders. However, despite his skills, he could be an immensely frustrating player to play with; whilst he reserved his finest moments for big games, he was often anonymous against lesser opposition. It was this inconsistency that caused him to be sold to Belgian side Anderlecht at the end of the 1975–76 season, but he returned to England in December 1976 when he signed for Everton.
Unfortunately for McKenzie, the manager who signed him – Billy Bingham – was sacked and replaced by Gordon Lee just a month later. McKenzie and Lee had their differences, with the result that McKenzie didn't have as free a role as would have suited him. This led to his departure from Everton, but not before he had turned in some admirable performances – a notable game being the 1977 FA Cup semi-final v Liverpool.
In September 1978 he joined Chelsea where, much like the rest of his career, he dazzled the fans with his skills and eccentricity but still failed to make the most of his talents. He left the club less than a year later having made just 16 appearances and scored four goals.
In 1981, he spent a single season, his last as a professional footballer, with the Tulsa Roughnecks of the North American Soccer League. He later played for Ryoden FC in Hong Kong for 3 months.
Career after football
Since retiring from the game, McKenzie has worked as a newspaper columnist, as well as becoming an after-dinner speaker. He was the immediate replacement for Danny Baker on Radio Five's 6-0-6 programme.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Duncan McKenzie". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- ↑ "North American Soccer League Players Duncan McKenzie". NASL Jerseys. Dave Morrison. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- ↑ The Times, 3 March 1970, Two substitutes may be allowed
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