Ken Campbell (footballer)

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Kenneth 'Ken' Campbell (Born 6th September 1892) was a Scottish footballer who played for Liverpool in the early part of the 20th Century.

[edit] Life and playing career

Born Glasgow, Scotland, Campbell played for Rutherglen Glencairn and Cambuslang Rovers before manager Tom Watson brought him to Anfield in May 1911. Campbell didn't make his debut until the 10th February 1912 in a Division 1 match at Ewood Park, a game that saw the Reds lose to Blackburn 1-0. Known for having safe hands the goalkeeper took over from the great Sam Hardy after Hardy moved to Aston Villa and proved to be just as secure as Liverpool's last line of defence, in fact he only missed one game during the 1912/13 season, he was replaced by his young understudy a certain Elisha Scott. It was due to the immergence of Scott that Campbell's stay at Anfield was a short one.

Campbell did put up a descent fight for the number 1 jersey playing in all but 4 games of the 1913/14 campaign, he was between the sticks for the 1914 F.A Cup final at the Crystal Palace ground on the 25th April, the game finished disappointingly, for Liverpool, in a 1-0 defeat to Burnley, more significantly the match was to be the last to be played at this venue and it was played in front of a reigning monarch for the very first time, George V.

Like so many others, Campbell's career was interupted for 4 years due to the Great War, however upon his return to the game in 1919 he found himself once again number 1 for the Reds, he stayed there until the April of 1920 when it turned out that he played his last game for the club.

Campbell left Liverpool in the April returning to Scotland for Partick, he did return to ply his trade in England playing for New Brighton, Stoke and Leicester before he returned to New Brighton where he ended his career in 1931 aged 39.

Campbell was capped 8 times by Scotland (3 as a Red) his debut coming in a British Championship match at Ninian Park, Cardiff against Wales, the game finished all square in a 1-1 draw.