John Kirkby (footballer)

John Kirkby

Personal information
Full name	John Kirkby[1]
Date of birth	29 November 1929[1]
Place of birth	United States[1]
Date of death	30 August 1953 (aged 23)[1]
Place of death	Wrexham, Wales[1]
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
1948–1949	Stoke City	1	(0)
1951–1953	Wrexham	5	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (goals)

John Kirkby (29 November 1929 – 30 August 1953) was an American footballer 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 was released at the end of the season and he joined Wrexham.^[1] In his fifth match for the club against Barrow in August 1953, Kirkby collapsed and died on the pitch.^[1]

Career statistics

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

References

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

External links

• John Kirkby stats at Neil Brown stat site.