Kirby: Dennis

1942-1950 (Player Details) (Leeds United War-time Guest Player Details)

Left Half

Born: Holbeck, Leeds: 08-11-1924

Debut: v West Bromwich Albion (a): 04-10-1947

Height&Weight: Unknown

A schoolboy International, Kirby played in nine Wartime games after joining United in September 1942. He made his Leeds United debut at Right Half against Newcastle United at Elland Road in a 1-7 defeat in the 1942-43 Football League Northern Section (First Championship). He did not play again until the 1943-44 Football League Northern Section (First Championship) when he played three consecutive games. The first was with Bradford Park Avenue at Elland Road on 13th November 1943 when he again played at Right Half in a 2-2 draw. He then played the other two at Left Half against York City, who they beat 3-1 at Bootham Crescent and then won 1-0 at Elland Road the following weekend. His remaining War-time games all came in the 1944-45 Football League Northern Section (First Championship)and he played all five at Right Half. On 16th September 1944 he played at Roker Park as United went down 1-5 against Sunderland and he then missed two games before playing four consecutive games against Hull City, who they beat 5-2 at Elland Road and drew 0-0 at the Boulevard, as Anlaby Road had been bombed and Boothferry Park was still being built, and Newcastle United, who they beat 2-1 at Elland Road and 4-2 at St James’ Park. During the War-time he also guested for Chester, scoring once in thirteen appearances during the 1944-45 season. After the war he found Bobby Browne and Con Martin, who were both Irish Internationals, occupying the left-half spot in the 1946-47 season. Although the versatile Irish Internationals, Con Martin and later Jim McCabe, filled the left half spot, he made eight League appearances in 1947-48 while Martin filled in for Tom Holley at centre-half. Even though Con Martin was sold, Leeds were well supplied in the wing half department with Jim McCabe, Jim Bullions, Tommy Burden, Tony Ingham and David McAdam and he was farmed out to Midland League Shrewsbury Town and Scarborough in October 1948. He joined Halifax Town in August 1950 but did not make the first team. Dennis Kirby’s nephew had this to say about his uncle: “I am pleased to say he still lives in Shadwell Leeds. I shall ask my father about his playing days etc and get back to you. He lived for many years after playing, on Elland Road right opposite the ground. In those days players did not have cars and lived as near as possible to the ground. So the estate opposite the ground, the Heath estate, was full of players’ houses supplied by the club. I lived on that same estate from 1966 and lived four doors awayfrom Jackie Charlton, John Charles, Jimmy Dunn etc. Then later on I would see the new youngsters such as Billy Bremner, Norman Hunter etc each morning at the paper shop before training. How things change. I do know that Dennis went to Shrewsbury for a fee of £2,000, a lot in those days, and played for Scarborough, Stalybridge Celtic etc. But playing in the war years meant that he missed the best parts of career in the services. He did get a Schoolboy international cap. His sister married Dave Cochrane the Irish international who also played for Leeds. Dave died a couple of years ago, a recluse, after years of running a paper shop in Beeston. When Dennis stopped playing he became a milk man and ran his own business. In fact most of his subsequent working life was spent as a dairyman with the odd venture into a fish and chip shop and a fruit shop in North Leeds. He complains bitterly about today’s players and the wages they earn.”