Derek Kevan
Encyclopedia
Derek Tennyson Kevan is a retired English footballer. He played for West Bromwich Albion
as an attacker. He earned 14 caps
for the England national football team
, scoring a total of eight goals, including two in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
. During his Albion career, he earned the nickname "The Tank". In 1961–62
he was joint leading scorer in Division One
– alongside Ray Crawford
of Ipswich Town
– with 33 goals.
Referred to as ‘The Tank’ he certainly thrilled the Baggies’ fans with his all-action style and his goalscoring ability.
Kevan was the first signing made by the former Tottenham Hotspur full-back Vic Buckingham after he had taken over from Jesse Carver as manager at The Hawthorns in February 1953.
Secured for what was to be prove a bargain fee of just £2,000, Kevan completed his National Service in the Army before actually bedding himself in at The Hawthorns.
He recalled: “I was based initially at Yeovil and then at Preston and played a few games for my battalion and when on leave I also turned out occasionally for Albion’s second and third teams. During this time I first met up with Don Howe and Duncan Edwards.”
Kevan, who was being coached by the former Baggies’ goalscoring hero from the 1930s, ‘W.G.’ Richardson, eventually made his League debut (with Howe) in Albion’s 2–0 home win over Everton in August 1955. Replacing the injured Ronnie Allen, he impressed that evening by scoring twice but it wasn’t until just after the start of the 1956–57 season that he finally established himself in the first team. And once in, he stayed to become a legend at The Hawthorns!
Standing well over six feet, weighing 13 stones, Kevan was as strong as an ox and despite his bulk, was pretty quick off the mark. He was predominantly right-footed and was exceptionally good in the air. His tank-like thunderings down the middle of the pitch gave opposing goalkeepers (and centre-halves) nightmares more than once.
During the early part of his Albion career Kevan had Bobby Robson and Allen alongside him in attack while Jimmy Dudley and Ray Barlow supplied the passes from wing-half. Then after Robson had switched to wing-half, a young Bobby Hope came in to thread the ball through to him from centre-field.
He thrived on the ball placed ahead of him and given enough space, he was onto it like a flash, often trying a shot at goal whenever possible. He didn’t bother about passing to a colleague – his aim was to score for his club – and he did that regularly.
His boss at The Hawthorns, Buckingham agreed that Kevan's control was really no more than adequate at best and he tended to be a shade slow on the turn. But his presence out on the pitch always made defenders think twice, especially when the ball was pumped into the air.
Kevan and his team-mates, were devastated when Albion lost to Aston Villa in the semi-final of the FA Cup in March 1957. Recalled Kevan “We led twice in the first game at Molineux but were pegged back to 2–2 late on. And then, right at the end, I should have won the tie but missed when clean through with only the keeper to beat. Allen was injured in the replay and we lost 1–0.”
Kevan scored 20 goals that season, added 23 more in 1957–58, netted 28 the following term, weighed in with 29 in 1959–60 (including a wonderful five-time in a 6–2 home League won over Evberton), notched 18 in 1960–61 and then claimed a total of 34 in 1961–62, finishing joint top scorer in the First Division with Ipswich’s Ray Crawford with 33, the highest post-WW2 League haul by an Albion player to this day.
One of the most controversial players to play for his country and one of the most unfairly abused, Kevan's bustling tactics were not viewed with unalloyed approval by some critics, but no one could deny he made his presence felt on the international circuit. He scored eight goals in 14 appearances, starting off with a great header on his debut against Scotland at Wembley in April 1957 and after being selected ahead of Brian Clough, netted twice in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden, his first past the great Russia goalkeeper Lev Yashin, his second against Austria. Kevan also gained under-23 honours and netted a hat-trick for the Football League against the Scottish League in 1958.
In March 1963 Kevan was stunned when he was told that Albion were transferring him to Chelsea. He had already bagged 16 goals 28 appearances that season, including hat-tricks against Fulham and Ipswich and a four-timer against Bolton when, out of the blue, he was sensationally (and that’s not exaggerating) sold to the London club for £50,000.
Kevan said that he never wanted to leave Albion. He had made so many friends and had enjoyed almost 10 years with the club. Indeed, it came as a huge shock when he left. His manager at the time was Archie Macaulay who had never really appreciated his work-rate and several times Kevan had confronted him. Then, following a board meeting in March 1963, Kevan was told by Chairman H. Wilson Keys that Albion had accepted an offer from Chelsea and we’re selling him. Obviously upset he later spoke to Macaulay and said “Thanks very much. I gather you don’t want me then?” And off he went to Stamford Bridge, bitterly annoyed. He had scored 173 goals for Albion in 291 games – a superb record. And to make things worse, some Albion players were still in shock as they lost their next match 7–0 to Wolves at Molineux, with Kevan looking on from the stands!
Remembered Kevan “When I arrived at Chelsea I immediately fell out with manager Tommy Docherty. I told him to his face that I’m not going to play for him and after seven games I was sold to Manchester City.”
Kevan did well at Maine Road, scoring 56 goals in all competitions in just 76 appearances including 36 goals in the 1963–64 season. Relatively unsuccessful spells at Crystal Palace, Peterborough and Luton followed before he finally gained a medal when Stockport won the Fourth Division title in 1967. After winding down his career in non-League football, Kevan worked in a pub and was a delivery driver before returning to The Hawthorns in 1983 to work as a Lottery agent as well as playing for the Albion All Stars charity team whom he later managed. He now lives with his wife Connie in Castle Bromwich.
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
as an attacker. He earned 14 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the England national football team
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, scoring a total of eight goals, including two in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
. During his Albion career, he earned the nickname "The Tank". In 1961–62
1961-62 in English football
The 1961–62 season was the 82nd season of competitive Football in England.-Overview:The season was notable for the remarkable achievement of Ipswich Town winning the League Championship. Under the managership of Alf Ramsey, the club progressed from the old Third Division South to the First Division...
he was joint leading scorer in Division One
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
– alongside Ray Crawford
Ray Crawford (footballer)
Raymond Crawford is a former English international footballer, who played as a striker in a career that saw him score over 300 goals at club level.-Club:...
of Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
– with 33 goals.
Career
Although everyone, including the most dedicated Albion supporter, knew he lacked finesse, Kevan made up for it with pure strength and commitment, often bulldozing his way through both First Division and international defences.Referred to as ‘The Tank’ he certainly thrilled the Baggies’ fans with his all-action style and his goalscoring ability.
Kevan was the first signing made by the former Tottenham Hotspur full-back Vic Buckingham after he had taken over from Jesse Carver as manager at The Hawthorns in February 1953.
Secured for what was to be prove a bargain fee of just £2,000, Kevan completed his National Service in the Army before actually bedding himself in at The Hawthorns.
He recalled: “I was based initially at Yeovil and then at Preston and played a few games for my battalion and when on leave I also turned out occasionally for Albion’s second and third teams. During this time I first met up with Don Howe and Duncan Edwards.”
Kevan, who was being coached by the former Baggies’ goalscoring hero from the 1930s, ‘W.G.’ Richardson, eventually made his League debut (with Howe) in Albion’s 2–0 home win over Everton in August 1955. Replacing the injured Ronnie Allen, he impressed that evening by scoring twice but it wasn’t until just after the start of the 1956–57 season that he finally established himself in the first team. And once in, he stayed to become a legend at The Hawthorns!
Standing well over six feet, weighing 13 stones, Kevan was as strong as an ox and despite his bulk, was pretty quick off the mark. He was predominantly right-footed and was exceptionally good in the air. His tank-like thunderings down the middle of the pitch gave opposing goalkeepers (and centre-halves) nightmares more than once.
During the early part of his Albion career Kevan had Bobby Robson and Allen alongside him in attack while Jimmy Dudley and Ray Barlow supplied the passes from wing-half. Then after Robson had switched to wing-half, a young Bobby Hope came in to thread the ball through to him from centre-field.
He thrived on the ball placed ahead of him and given enough space, he was onto it like a flash, often trying a shot at goal whenever possible. He didn’t bother about passing to a colleague – his aim was to score for his club – and he did that regularly.
His boss at The Hawthorns, Buckingham agreed that Kevan's control was really no more than adequate at best and he tended to be a shade slow on the turn. But his presence out on the pitch always made defenders think twice, especially when the ball was pumped into the air.
Kevan and his team-mates, were devastated when Albion lost to Aston Villa in the semi-final of the FA Cup in March 1957. Recalled Kevan “We led twice in the first game at Molineux but were pegged back to 2–2 late on. And then, right at the end, I should have won the tie but missed when clean through with only the keeper to beat. Allen was injured in the replay and we lost 1–0.”
Kevan scored 20 goals that season, added 23 more in 1957–58, netted 28 the following term, weighed in with 29 in 1959–60 (including a wonderful five-time in a 6–2 home League won over Evberton), notched 18 in 1960–61 and then claimed a total of 34 in 1961–62, finishing joint top scorer in the First Division with Ipswich’s Ray Crawford with 33, the highest post-WW2 League haul by an Albion player to this day.
One of the most controversial players to play for his country and one of the most unfairly abused, Kevan's bustling tactics were not viewed with unalloyed approval by some critics, but no one could deny he made his presence felt on the international circuit. He scored eight goals in 14 appearances, starting off with a great header on his debut against Scotland at Wembley in April 1957 and after being selected ahead of Brian Clough, netted twice in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden, his first past the great Russia goalkeeper Lev Yashin, his second against Austria. Kevan also gained under-23 honours and netted a hat-trick for the Football League against the Scottish League in 1958.
In March 1963 Kevan was stunned when he was told that Albion were transferring him to Chelsea. He had already bagged 16 goals 28 appearances that season, including hat-tricks against Fulham and Ipswich and a four-timer against Bolton when, out of the blue, he was sensationally (and that’s not exaggerating) sold to the London club for £50,000.
Kevan said that he never wanted to leave Albion. He had made so many friends and had enjoyed almost 10 years with the club. Indeed, it came as a huge shock when he left. His manager at the time was Archie Macaulay who had never really appreciated his work-rate and several times Kevan had confronted him. Then, following a board meeting in March 1963, Kevan was told by Chairman H. Wilson Keys that Albion had accepted an offer from Chelsea and we’re selling him. Obviously upset he later spoke to Macaulay and said “Thanks very much. I gather you don’t want me then?” And off he went to Stamford Bridge, bitterly annoyed. He had scored 173 goals for Albion in 291 games – a superb record. And to make things worse, some Albion players were still in shock as they lost their next match 7–0 to Wolves at Molineux, with Kevan looking on from the stands!
Remembered Kevan “When I arrived at Chelsea I immediately fell out with manager Tommy Docherty. I told him to his face that I’m not going to play for him and after seven games I was sold to Manchester City.”
Kevan did well at Maine Road, scoring 56 goals in all competitions in just 76 appearances including 36 goals in the 1963–64 season. Relatively unsuccessful spells at Crystal Palace, Peterborough and Luton followed before he finally gained a medal when Stockport won the Fourth Division title in 1967. After winding down his career in non-League football, Kevan worked in a pub and was a delivery driver before returning to The Hawthorns in 1983 to work as a Lottery agent as well as playing for the Albion All Stars charity team whom he later managed. He now lives with his wife Connie in Castle Bromwich.