John Kirkby (soccer)

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John Kirkby
Personal information
Full name John Kirkby[1]
Date of birth 29 November 1929[1]
Place of birth Chicago, Illinois, U.S.[1]
Date of death 4 April 1953(1953-04-04) (aged 23)[2]
Place of death Wrexham, Wales[2]
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1948–1949 Stoke City 1 (0)
1951–1953 Wrexham 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Kirkby (29 November 1929 – 4 April 1953) was an American soccer player who played in the Football League for Stoke City and Wrexham.[1]

Career[edit]

Kirkby became Stoke City's first overseas player, having been born in the United States, when he played his only game for Stoke against Middlesbrough in April 1949.[1] He joined Wrexham in 1951.[2] In a Cheshire County League match versus Crewe Alexandra Reserves on 4 April 1953, Kirkby collapsed in the 65th minute and was declared dead upon arrival in the hospital.[2]

Career statistics[edit]

Source:[3]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stoke City 1948–49 First Division 1 0 0 0 1 0
Wrexham 1951–52 Third Division North 2 0 0 0 2 0
1952–53 Third Division North 3 0 0 0 3 0
Career Total 6 0 0 0 6 0

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Peter Jones a Gareth M. Davies (1999). The Racecourse Robins: Adams To Youds. p. 173. ISBN 0-952495-01-5.
  3. ^ John Kirkby at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

External links[edit]

  • John Kirkby at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database