Bill Kitchener
Encyclopedia
William Harry Kitchener (born November 3, 1946 in Arlesey
, Bedfordshire
) is an English
former professional footballer who played in the Football League
for West Ham United
, Torquay United
and A.F.C. Bournemouth
.
Bill Kitchener, a tall full-back, began his career as an apprentice with West Ham United
after leaving school. He turned professional in November 1963, but didn't appear in the Hammers' league side until the 1966-67 season. In September 1966 he joined Torquay United
on loan, making his debut on September 17, 1966 in a 5-2 home win against Walsall
. He played 25 games before returning to Upton Park.
He left West Ham in December 1967 to become Torquay's record signing. He immediately established himself in the side, taking Bobby Baxter's place at left-back, though also played in the centre of defence when required. By the end of his second spell with Torquay, he had played a further 142 games, scoring five goals.
In July 1971, he moved to Bournemouth
, managed by his former West Ham and Torquay teammate John Bond
in July 1971, but stayed only one season with the Cherries before leaving league football, joining Cambridge City
. He subsequently played for Wealdstone
, Christchurch
and New Milton.
Outside of football he had joined the Devon & Cornwall Police
Force whilst with Torquay, and was later stationed at Burley
in the New Forest
for many years.
Arlesey
Arlesey is a small industrial town and civil parish in the district of Central Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire. It is located on the border with Hertfordshire, about three miles north-west of Letchworth Garden City, four miles north of Hitchin and six miles south of Biggleswade. Arlesey railway...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer who played in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
and A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
.
Bill Kitchener, a tall full-back, began his career as an apprentice with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
after leaving school. He turned professional in November 1963, but didn't appear in the Hammers' league side until the 1966-67 season. In September 1966 he joined Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on loan, making his debut on September 17, 1966 in a 5-2 home win against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. He played 25 games before returning to Upton Park.
He left West Ham in December 1967 to become Torquay's record signing. He immediately established himself in the side, taking Bobby Baxter's place at left-back, though also played in the centre of defence when required. By the end of his second spell with Torquay, he had played a further 142 games, scoring five goals.
In July 1971, he moved to Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, managed by his former West Ham and Torquay teammate John Bond
John Bond (footballer)
John Frederick Bond is an English former professional football player and manager. His son Kevin Bond is also a former footballer.-Playing career:...
in July 1971, but stayed only one season with the Cherries before leaving league football, joining Cambridge City
Cambridge City F.C.
Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
. He subsequently played for Wealdstone
Wealdstone F.C.
Wealdstone Football Club are an English semi-professional football club who formed in Wealdstone, in the London Borough of Harrow, but are currently based a few miles away in Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. At present, the club are members of the Isthmian League Premier Division. They...
, Christchurch
Christchurch F.C.
Christchurch F.C. is a football club based in Christchurch, Dorset, England. They were established in 1885. In the 2002–03 and 2008–09 seasons, they reached the 4th round of the FA Vase. They are currently members of the Wessex League Premier Division...
and New Milton.
Outside of football he had joined the Devon & Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
Devon and Cornwall Police, formerly Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the counties of Devon and Cornwall in England and the unitary authorities of Plymouth, Torbay and the Isles of Scilly....
Force whilst with Torquay, and was later stationed at Burley
Burley, Hampshire
Burley is a village and civil parish in the New Forest, Hampshire, England, with a wealth of tea rooms, gift shops, art galleries and a pick-your-own farm.-The village:...
in the New Forest
New Forest
The New Forest is an area of southern England which includes the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in the heavily-populated south east of England. It covers south-west Hampshire and extends into south-east Wiltshire....
for many years.