Wikipedia

Johnny King (footballer, born 1932)

John William King (born 9 August 1932) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra and Stoke City.[1]

Johnny King
Personal information
Full name John William King[1]
Date of birth (1932-08-09) 9 August 1932 (age 92)[1]
Place of birth Wrenbury, England[1]
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950–1953 Crewe Alexandra 48 (17)
1953–1961 Stoke City 284 (106)
1961–1962 Cardiff City 33 (6)
1962–1967 Crewe Alexandra 178 (45)
Total 543 (174)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

King began his career with his local side Crewe Alexandra in 1950. He formed a good partnership with Frank Blunstone and the pair were highly wanted by other clubs. King joined Stoke City for £8,000 and soon began to show his worth. He spent eight seasons at the Victoria Ground making 311 appearances scoring 113 goals to become one of the club's greatest goalscorers. He later played for Cardiff City and made a return to his home town team, Crewe Alexandra.

Career

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Despite his somewhat 'chunky' build, King was considered to be an excellent goal scorer.[1] He started his career at his local side Crewe Alexandra, where he partnered Frank Blunstone who was later capped by England.[1] When Blunstone left for Chelsea King decided to join Stoke City, who were at the time in the Second Division.[1] He immediately began to score goals and quickly became a firm fan favourite.[1] Season after season, he scored regularly for Stoke and became one of the few Stoke players to score more than 100 League goals.[1]

King was a natural left footer who was a very skilful player and, at 5'7" (1.70 m) not the typical forward in the 1950s, but his ability to lead the attacking line was undeniable.[1] A regular scorer, he topped the scorer charts at Stoke in three seasons amassing 113 goals for the club in all competitions placing him as Stoke's fifth all-time top goalscorer.[1]

He later joined Cardiff City and returned to Crewe Alexandra where he helped win promotion in 1963. After retirement from football King went on play tennis and almost qualified for the Wimbledon Championships in 1970.[1]

Career statistics

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Source:[2]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crewe Alexandra 1950–51 Third Division North 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
1951–52 Third Division North 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
1952–53 Third Division North 40 17 1 0 — 41 17
1953–54 Third Division North 5 0 0 0 — 5 0
Total 48 17 1 0 — 49 17
Stoke City 1953–54 Second Division 24 11 3 1 — 27 12
1954–55 Second Division 36 17 6 3 — 42 20
1955–56 Second Division 36 16 5 2 — 41 18
1956–57 Second Division 34 9 1 0 — 35 9
1957–58 Second Division 38 15 3 0 — 41 15
1958–59 Second Division 33 13 0 0 — 33 13
1959–60 Second Division 42 13 2 0 — 44 13
1960–61 Second Division 41 12 6 1 1 0 48 13
Total 284 106 26 7 1 0 311 113
Cardiff City 1961–62 First Division 33 6 1 0 4 2 38 8
Crewe Alexandra 1962–63 Fourth Division 46 17 3 0 1 0 50 17
1963–64 Third Division 41 9 2 0 1 0 44 9
1964–65 Fourth Division 42 10 0 0 1 0 43 10
1965–66 Fourth Division 40 8 4 1 3 1 47 10
1966–67 Fourth Division 8 1 0 0 1 0 9 1
Total 177 45 9 1 7 1 193 47
Career total 542 174 37 8 12 3 591 185

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^ Johnny King at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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