REMEMBERING A GREAT SAINTS PLAYER FROM THE SIXTIES

Sad to hear that Ken Wimshurst has passed away.......remember many enjoyable afternoons watching him feature in a Saints shirt.

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-07-09/obituary-former-southampton-player-ken-wimshurst

What I posted about Ken when we had our Ken Wimshurst Week in 2010......

Ken Wimshurst (full name Kenneth Pinkney Wimshurst!) was born in South Shields on 23rd March 1938.

Ken was an apprentice toolsmith whose football career had to await the completion of his National Service as a corporal in the RAF police. Writing in the People in 1960, Bill Rochford, Ted Bates's north-east scout, described Ken as "a real ball-playing type who is good enough for the First Division" and the £1500 Ted laid out fast looked a snip.

Originally an inside-forward, Ken soon switched to become a suave, confident right-half who provided his forwards with stylish and subtle service. The highlight of his career was probably Saints' 1963 FA Cup run when his prompting and passing helped take the club to the semi-finals - initiating whispers of possible international recognition. That never materialised, but Ken continued to play a major part in Southampton's drive to, and first season in, Division One, before he was allowed to move to Ashton Gate.

In the late eighties he had become a shop manager in Bristol, and then in 1990 he became involved in Saints' School of Excellence in Bath.

Ken made a total of 171 appearances for Saints and scored 12 goals.

HISTORICAL TRIVIA: In September 1965 Ken became Saints' first-ever substitute.

Nice one Mike.