Wilf Kirkham
Encyclopedia
Wilfred Thomas "Wilf" Kirkham (26 November 1901 – 20 October 1974) was a Port Vale
football player who scored a record 164 goals in 276 Vale appearances, including a record 38 goals in one season. A cousin of Tom Holford
, he was noted for his "Kirkham Special" hook shots, intelligent football and prolific scoring record.
before heading to Sheffield
to go through teacher
training. Upon his return numerous clubs approached him, but Kirkham chose local side Port Vale.
on October 27, Kirkham made a promising start to his footballing career with 7 goals in 20 games. In the 1924–25 season
Kirkham smashed in 26 of Vale's 48 goals as well as 7 goals in 3 FA Cup
fixtures.
In September 1925 Kirkham scored a hat-trick
in a legendary 3–0 victory over rivals Stoke City, in that 1925–26 season
Kirkham managed 35 goals, the 1926–27 season
saw him put away a club record 38 league goals. However the 1928–29 season
was a poor one for Vale, the club were relegated and Kirkham transferred to Stoke City
for a £2,800 fee.
Kirkham was once more Vale's top scorer with 15 league goals, it was at this point Kirkham announced his retirement from professional football, though he did occasionally turn out for Kidderminster Harriers
.
and golf
trophies. He went on to become Headmaster at Mill Hill School before dying in his mid-seventies whilst at Bournemouth.
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
football player who scored a record 164 goals in 276 Vale appearances, including a record 38 goals in one season. A cousin of Tom Holford
Tom Holford
Thomas Holford was an English footballer who played for Stoke, Manchester City, Port Vale and the England national team. His primary position was wing-half, but over the course of his career he played in many different positions...
, he was noted for his "Kirkham Special" hook shots, intelligent football and prolific scoring record.
Early career
Kirkham progressed from a promising schoolboy footballer through Cobridge Church and Congleton TownCongleton Town F.C.
Congleton Town F.C. is a football club based in Congleton, Cheshire, England. They currently play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division and are full members of the Cheshire County Football Association...
before heading to Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
to go through teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
training. Upon his return numerous clubs approached him, but Kirkham chose local side Port Vale.
Port Vale
Becoming a professional in 1923, making his debut against LeedsLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on October 27, Kirkham made a promising start to his footballing career with 7 goals in 20 games. In the 1924–25 season
1924–25 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1924–25 season was Port Vale's sixth consecutive season of football in the Football League. A highly successful season, for the first time in their history they finished above rivals Stoke. Vale's eighth place finish in the second tier was their best finish since 1893–94...
Kirkham smashed in 26 of Vale's 48 goals as well as 7 goals in 3 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
fixtures.
In September 1925 Kirkham scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in a legendary 3–0 victory over rivals Stoke City, in that 1925–26 season
1925–26 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1925–26 season was Port Vale's seventh consecutive season of football in the Football League. They improved on their previous season's success by two points...
Kirkham managed 35 goals, the 1926–27 season
1926–27 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1926–27 season was Port Vale's eighth consecutive season of football in the Football League. Vale finished in eighth position for the third season running, obtaining 45 points, this time coming nine points off promotion to the top tier in English football. For the first time in the club's...
saw him put away a club record 38 league goals. However the 1928–29 season
1928–29 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1928–29 season was Port Vale's tenth consecutive season of football in the Football League. For the first time in their history they suffered relegation. This was down to poor away form, at home they went a club record 19 games without a draw, picking up all but five of their points in front...
was a poor one for Vale, the club were relegated and Kirkham transferred to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
for a £2,800 fee.
Stoke City
Kirkham was a success for the Potters, he scored two hat-tricks for club before breaking his leg on the opening day of the 1931–32 season, which effectively ended his time at City. He shocked the city of Stoke-on-Trent once more, and transferred back to Vale in January 1932.Return to Vale
After impressing in the reserve side Kirkham was back in the first team, his first match was another 3–0 victory over Stoke City, however he didn't get onto the scoresheet on this occasion. For the 1932–33 season1932–33 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1932–33 season was Port Vale's twenty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their third successive season in the Second Division. The season is notable as the last season of football for legendary striker Wilf Kirkham – who finished as top scorer for the sixth time in his Vale...
Kirkham was once more Vale's top scorer with 15 league goals, it was at this point Kirkham announced his retirement from professional football, though he did occasionally turn out for Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
.
After football
Upon his retirement from the game, Kirkham became headmaster of Cobridge C.E. School. He remained active in sports, winning numerous tennisTennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
trophies. He went on to become Headmaster at Mill Hill School before dying in his mid-seventies whilst at Bournemouth.