Ken Hardwick
English footballer (1924–1977)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenneth Hardwick (6 January 1924 – 4 June 1977) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe United and Barrow.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kenneth Hardwick | ||
| Date of birth | 6 January 1924 | ||
| Place of birth | West Auckland, England | ||
| Date of death | 4 June 1977 (aged 53) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1945 | Rossington Colliery | ||
| 1945–1957 | Doncaster Rovers | 308 | (0) |
| 1957–1960 | Scunthorpe United | 96 | (0) |
| 1960 | Barrow | 12 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Hardwick first played for Rovers during the war, 26 games in total.[1] From his league debut against Nottingham Forest on 26 December 1947,[1] Hardwick became Rovers first choice keeper. That season Rovers were relegated from The Second Division but in the 1949−50 season they stormed the Third Division North and gained promotion back to League Division 2 where he spent the rest of his time with them.[citation needed]
With Harry Gregg as his understudy for four seasons,[1] this was a golden period for Doncasters keepers.[citation needed]
In 1955, at the age of 30, Hardwick was invited to an England Under-23 trial. The FA withdrew the invitation once the error was realised.[2]
After Harry Gregg took over his position at Doncaster, he moved first to Scunthorpe, then ended his playing days at Barrow.[citation needed]