John Kirkby (soccer) explained

John Kirkby
Fullname:John Kirkby
Birth Date:29 November 1929
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death Date:[1]
Death Place:Wrexham, Wales
Position:Defender
Years1:1948–1949
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:1951–1953
Caps2:5
Goals2:0

John Kirkby (29 November 1929 – 4 April 1953) was an American soccer player who played in the Football League for Stoke City and Wrexham.[2]

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.[2] He joined Wrexham in 1951.[1] 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.[1]

Career statistics

Source:

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke City1948–49First Division100010
Wrexham1951–52Third Division North200020
1952–53Third Division North300030
Career Total600060

Notes and References

  1. Book: Peter Jones a Gareth M. Davies . The Racecourse Robins: Adams To Youds . 173 . 1999. 0-952495-01-5.
  2. Book: Matthews, Tony. The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. 1994. Lion Press. 0-9524151-0-0.