John Kirkby (soccer)

For other people with the same name, see John Kirkby (disambiguation).

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

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

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

1. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
2. 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

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