Derek King (footballer, born 1929)

Derek King
Personal information
Full nameDerek Albert King
Date of birthAugust 15, 1929
Place of birthHackney, England
Date of death16 June 2003 (aged 73)
Place of deathHuntingdon, England
Playing positionCentral defender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1945–1956Tottenham Hotspur19(0)
1956Swansea City5(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Derek Albert King (15 August 1929 – 16 June 2003) was an English professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City.[1]

Biography

King attended the Glynn Road School, Hackney.[2] After leaving school aged 14 he trained as a tie maker and played his early football for Alexander Palace football club in 1945. King joined Tottenham Hotspur as a junior in the season of 1945–46. After completing two years National Service serving with the Grenadier Guards he returned to Tottenham and in 1950 he became a full-time player.[2] He made his senior debut in a 1-0 home win against Fulham on 20 August 1951. The central defender made 19 appearances for the Spurs [3] before transferring to Swansea City in August 1956. A resolute player he featured in five matches with the Vetch Field club in 1956 before a recurring knee injury ended his senior career in December 1956. King attempted a come back at Ted Ditchburn's Romford in 1959.[4]

Post football–career

After retiring from football King used his skills as a tie maker when he was employed by Spurs legend Dave Mackay at his tie business. He later worked as a school caretaker. At one time he lived adjacent to White Hart Lane at Paxton Road and maintained a close interest in football up to his death at a Huntingdon nursing home in 2003.[2]

References

  1. Hugman, BJ (Ed) The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005 (2005) ISBN 1-85291-665-6 p350. Retrieved 17 June 2010
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Derek King's obituary Retrieved 17 June 2010
  3. Tottenham Hotspur F.C A-Z of players Retrieved 29 November 2012 Archived 3 June 2009 at WebCite
  4. Swansea City profile Retrieved 17 June 2010