George Kitchen
Encyclopedia
George Kitchen was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in the early part of the twentieth century, including long spells at Everton
and West Ham United
.
, Kitchen was an outstanding sportsman and became a professional golfer at the age of 14. He also played cricket and for a time worked as a coach at Dulwich College
. He eventually decided to concentrate on football and, after a period with his local club, Buxton
, playing in The Combination
, he joined Stockport County
, then playing in the Lancashire League
.
After a year at Stockport, he move up to the Football League
, joining Everton
in 1898 as cover for Scottish
international, Willie Muir. Kitchen made his debut on 14 January 1899, in a 2–0 victory over Preston North End
. It was not until October 1901 that he became Everton's first-choice custodian, following Muir's departure, helping Everton to reach the runners-up position in the First Division
at the end of the 1901–02 season. He retained his place in the side until the arrival of Irish international Billy Scott in the summer of 1904.
After a season spent in the reserves
, Kitchen was transferred in the summer of 1905 to West Ham United
of the Southern League
, as replacement for Matt Kingsley
who had been dropped following a sending-off in March. At West Ham, Kitchen became the club's penalty taker and became the first-ever goalkeeper to score on his debut with a penalty against Swindon Town
on 2 September 1905. Over the next six years, Kitchen rarely missed a match for the Hammers before losing his place to John Geggus in 1911, leading to another season in the reserves. In his seven year span at West Ham, Kitchen made 205 appearances in the Southern League or F.A. Cup, scoring six goals.
In October 1912, he was rescued from West Ham's reserves by Southampton
's new trainer, Jimmy McIntyre
(who acted as "manager" under "secretary" Ernest Arnfield
). Described at the time as "having the perfect build for goalkeeping", Kitchen was past his prime by the time he signed for the "Saints", but immediately replaced Bill Knight
in goal, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Coventry City
on 26 October 1912. Kitchen's experience soon installed a sense of confidence into a defence that had been struggling, and Saints won five of his first ten games in goal, having only won once in the previous two months.
Kitchen remained first choice 'keeper until Ernie Steventon
took over in November 1913 after which he only made two further appearances before a move to Boscombe in the 1914 close-season.
Golf Course. Following his full retirement from football, he was able to continue to make a living from his second sport.
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and 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...
.
Football career
Born in Fairfield, DerbyshireFairfield, Derbyshire
Fairfield is an urban area of Buxton in Derbyshire, located half a mile to the North-East from Buxton town centre. It is centred around the "Green" a village green.-History:...
, Kitchen was an outstanding sportsman and became a professional golfer at the age of 14. He also played cricket and for a time worked as a coach at Dulwich College
Dulwich College
Dulwich College is an independent school for boys in Dulwich, southeast London, England. The college was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a successful Elizabethan actor, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars as the foundation of "God's Gift". It currently has about 1,600 boys,...
. He eventually decided to concentrate on football and, after a period with his local club, Buxton
Buxton F.C.
Buxton Football Club are an English football club based in Buxton, Derbyshire. They were established in 1877 and joined the Combination League in 1891. They then joined the Manchester League in 1899 and won the championship in 1932. They reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the 1951-52 season....
, playing in The Combination
The Combination
The Combination was a minor league during the early days of English football. It had two incarnations; the first ran only for the 1888–89 season for teams across the Northern England and the Midlands, and was wound up before completion. The second was created for the 1890–91 season, but disbanded...
, he joined Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, then playing in the Lancashire League
Lancashire League (football)
The Lancashire League has been the name of two separate football competitions for clubs based in northern England.-Lancashire League :...
.
After a year at Stockport, he move up to 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...
, joining Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in 1898 as cover for Scottish
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
international, Willie Muir. Kitchen made his debut on 14 January 1899, in a 2–0 victory over Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. It was not until October 1901 that he became Everton's first-choice custodian, following Muir's departure, helping Everton to reach the runners-up position in the First Division
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....
at the end of the 1901–02 season. He retained his place in the side until the arrival of Irish international Billy Scott in the summer of 1904.
After a season spent in the reserves
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
, Kitchen was transferred in the summer of 1905 to 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...
of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
, as replacement for Matt Kingsley
Matt Kingsley
Matthew "Matt" Kingsley was a football player who played as goalkeeper for Darwen and Newcastle United...
who had been dropped following a sending-off in March. At West Ham, Kitchen became the club's penalty taker and became the first-ever goalkeeper to score on his debut with a penalty against Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on 2 September 1905. Over the next six years, Kitchen rarely missed a match for the Hammers before losing his place to John Geggus in 1911, leading to another season in the reserves. In his seven year span at West Ham, Kitchen made 205 appearances in the Southern League or F.A. Cup, scoring six goals.
In October 1912, he was rescued from West Ham's reserves by Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
's new trainer, Jimmy McIntyre
Jimmy McIntyre
James Alfred "Jimmy" McIntyre was an English footballer who became manager at Southampton, Coventry City and Fulham.-Playing career:...
(who acted as "manager" under "secretary" Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield was the secretary/manager of Southampton F.C. from 1897 to 1911, and again from 1912 to 1919.-Honours:Southampton*Southern League champions: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1900–01, 1902–03 and 1903–04*FA Cup finalists: 1900 and 1902-References:...
). Described at the time as "having the perfect build for goalkeeping", Kitchen was past his prime by the time he signed for the "Saints", but immediately replaced Bill Knight
William Knight (footballer)
William Knight was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the years prior to World War I.-Football career:...
in goal, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
on 26 October 1912. Kitchen's experience soon installed a sense of confidence into a defence that had been struggling, and Saints won five of his first ten games in goal, having only won once in the previous two months.
Kitchen remained first choice 'keeper until Ernie Steventon
Ernie Steventon
Ernest "Ernie" Steventon was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the years prior to World War I.-Football career:...
took over in November 1913 after which he only made two further appearances before a move to Boscombe in the 1914 close-season.
Later career
Before leaving The Dell, Kitchen had secured a position as golf professional at BournemouthBournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
Golf Course. Following his full retirement from football, he was able to continue to make a living from his second sport.
Honours
EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe 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....
runners-up: 1901–02