We have produced this article on the 51st anniversary of the legendary striker’s death as we look back on the goalscorer’s astonishing Port Vale career.
Wilf Kirkham Facts
He was born on the 26th November 1901 in Cobridge and made his Port Vale debut on 27 October 1923. He split his time between playing and teaching and was top-scorer for five consecutive seasons. He had two spells with Vale and another with Stoke City. Overall, he was top-scorer for the Valiants for six seasons. He was called up to represent a Football League XI against an Irish League XI in 1925 and scored twice in a 5–1 victory.
The Potteries Derby hero
In the 1925-26 season, Kirkham pretty much single-handedly helped the Valiants to the double over rivals Stoke City. He scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 away win then scored twice in a 3-0 home victory.
Stats
- 276 games
- 164 goals
- Goals per game: 0.59
- 260 League games
- 153 League games
- Goals per League game: 0.58
Clubs he scored hat-tricks against:
- Alfreton (FA Cup), Clapton Orient, Stockport County, Stoke City, Middlesbrough (twice), Preston North End, Grimsby Town, South Shields, Notts County, Fulham (four goals), Reading, Oldham Athletic
Club records:
- Most goals in a season (41 in 1926-27)
- 13 competitive hat-tricks
- Most goals in all competitions for the club – 164 goals
- Most League goals for the club – 153 goals
Wilf Kirkham features
Kirkham in action
Finally, here from our YouTube channel, is what we believe to be the only online footage of Kirkham in action. It’s grainy but you may just be able to see him…
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