Derek King (footballer born 1929)

Derek King

Personal information
Full name	Derek Albert King
Date of birth	August 15, 1929(1929-08-15)
Place of birth	Hackney, England
Date of death	16 June 2003(2003-06-16) (aged 73)
Place of death	Huntingdon, England
Playing position	Central defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1945–1956	Tottenham Hotspur	19	(0)
1956	Swansea City	5	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Derek Albert King (b.15 August 1929 in Hackney–d.16 June 2003 in Huntingdon) was a former 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. ^ ^{a b c} Derek King's obituary Retrieved 17 June 2010
3. ^ Tottenham Hotspur F.C A-Z of players Retrieved 17 June 2010
4. ^ Swansea City profile Retrieved 17 June 2010

Persondata
Name	King, Derek
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	15 August 1929
Place of birth	Hackney, England
Date of death	16 June 2003
Place of death	Huntingdon, England