Ken Mallender
Encyclopedia
Kenneth "Ken" Mallender is a retired English
footballer who played during the 1960s and early 1970s. He played as a left-sided defender.
Born in Thrybergh
, South Yorkshire
Mallender began his senior career in 1961 at Sheffield United
where he remained until his move to Norwich City
in the autumn of 1968. After a decade playing in the First and Second Divisions, Mallender dropped down into non-league football to play for Hereford United
; one of the leading clubs in the Southern League
. In doing so, he went part-time and secured a full-time job as a sales representative for Cadbury.
Mallender's first season at Edgar Street saw him play in 72 out of 79 first team matches that season, including every match of Hereford's famous cup run. In a second replay against Northampton Town
, Mallender scored the most important goal of his career; an injury time equaliser which kept the cup run alive.
Mallender remained with Hereford as they were elected to the Football League and missed just one league match the following season. Another successful season followed with promotion to the Third Division.
In the 1973-74 season, Mallender scored his fourth and final Football League goal, in his last season for Hereford. In 1974 he moved to the North American Soccer League
to play for the Miami Toros
. He played 17 matches and scored in the penalty shoot-out as Miami lost to the Los Angeles Aztecs
in the championship play-off. He later moved to Telford United
where he ended his playing career. He later worked for Nike
and settled in Hereford.
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...
footballer who played during the 1960s and early 1970s. He played as a left-sided defender.
Born in Thrybergh
Thrybergh
Thrybergh is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, England, from Rotherham. It had a population of 4,327 in 2001...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
Mallender began his senior career in 1961 at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
where he remained until his move to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
in the autumn of 1968. After a decade playing in the First and Second Divisions, Mallender dropped down into non-league football to play for Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
; one of the leading clubs in 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...
. In doing so, he went part-time and secured a full-time job as a sales representative for Cadbury.
Mallender's first season at Edgar Street saw him play in 72 out of 79 first team matches that season, including every match of Hereford's famous cup run. In a second replay against Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
, Mallender scored the most important goal of his career; an injury time equaliser which kept the cup run alive.
Mallender remained with Hereford as they were elected to the Football League and missed just one league match the following season. Another successful season followed with promotion to the Third Division.
In the 1973-74 season, Mallender scored his fourth and final Football League goal, in his last season for Hereford. In 1974 he moved to the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
to play for the Miami Toros
Miami Toros
The Miami Gatos were a soccer team based out of Miami that played in the North American Soccer League. The club was previously known as the Washington Darts. After the 1972 season, the team was renamed the Miami Toros...
. He played 17 matches and scored in the penalty shoot-out as Miami lost to the Los Angeles Aztecs
Los Angeles Aztecs
The Los Angeles Aztecs were a soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974-81. The team was based in Los Angeles, California and part-owned by Elton John.-History:...
in the championship play-off. He later moved to Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
where he ended his playing career. He later worked for Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
and settled in Hereford.