Kenny Beech
Encyclopedia
Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English
footballer. A midfielder
, he played for Port Vale
between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year
award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras
in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall
, before he moved on to Peterborough United
two years later. He dropped into non-league football with Stafford Rangers
in 1985, with whom he won the Conference League Cup
, before he retired in 1988. He played 314 league games in the Football League
, scoring 28 goals.
Port Vale
as a youngster after impressing coach Reg Berks – this was despite Beech suffering from a broken leg at the time. He made his debut in the 1974–75
season under Roy Sproson
. He played seven games in 1975–76
, signing professional forms in January 1976, getting his first senior goal at Vale Park
in a 1–1 draw with Halifax Town
on 17 April. His early arrival at league level brought him England youth trials at Lilleshall
and three weeks as a triallist with Manchester United
.
Still a teenager, he played 35 games in 1976–77
, scoring four goals, as the "Valiants" narrowly avoided relegation. He made another thirty appearances in 1977–78
, scoring twice, as Vale suffered relegation under Bobby Smith. Beech went to the United States
to play on loan for Cleveland Cobras
from May to August in 1978. He returned to Burslem
to score 4 goals in 24 games under Dennis Butler
in the 1978–79
Fourth Division
campaign. He scored four goals and made 49 appearances in 1979–80
, keeping his first team place under the management merry-go-round that saw Dennis Butler, Alan Bloor
, and then John McGrath take charge. For his performances, fans voted him Player of the Year
. He posted another 52 appearances in 1980–81
, scoring seven goals, as Vale again struggled near the foot of the Football League
.
Beech was sold to Third Division Walsall
for a £10,000 fee in August 1981. Under Neil Martin
's stewardship, the "Saddlers" avoided relegation in 1981–82 after finishing ahead of Wimbledon
on goal difference. Walsall improved under Alan Buckley
in 1982–83, and finished in tenth place. With five goals in 79 league appearances for Walsall, Beech moved on to Fourth Division Peterborough United
. "Posh" posted mid-table finishes under John Wile
in 1983–84 and 1984–85. Beech scored five goals in sixty league games for the club.
Beech joined newly promoted Alliance Premier League
side Stafford Rangers
in 1985. Rangers finished seventh in 1985–86, and lifted the Conference League Cup
after victory over Barnet
in the final. They followed this with a thirteenth place finish in 1986–87 and a sixth place finish in 1987–88. Beech then retired from the game at age 30, to take up a job with Michelin
in his native Stoke.
with Stafford Rangers
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer. A midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he played for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras
Cleveland Cobras
The Cleveland Stars were an American soccer club based in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the American Soccer League in 1972-73. Before the 1974 season, the name was changed to the Cleveland Cobras. The Stars' colors were blue and white...
in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
, before he moved on to Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
two years later. He dropped into non-league football with Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
in 1985, with whom he won the Conference League Cup
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
, before he retired in 1988. He played 314 league games in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, scoring 28 goals.
Playing career
Beech was signed to Third DivisionFootball League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
as a youngster after impressing coach Reg Berks – this was despite Beech suffering from a broken leg at the time. He made his debut in the 1974–75
1974–75 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1974–75 season was Port Vale's sixty-third season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Third Division. It was Roy Sproson's first full season in charge...
season under Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957...
. He played seven games in 1975–76
1975–76 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1975–76 season was Port Vale's sixty-fourth season of football in the Football League, and their sixth successive season in the Third Division. Manager Roy Sproson brought Mick Cullerton back to Vale Park, and Cullerton was to become the top-scorer for the season with 21 goals...
, signing professional forms in January 1976, getting his first senior goal at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
in a 1–1 draw with Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
on 17 April. His early arrival at league level brought him England youth trials at Lilleshall
Lilleshall Hall
Lilleshall Hall is a large former country house and estate located near Lilleshall in Shropshire, England. It was founded as an Augustinian Abbey in the 12th century, with its estate running to some...
and three weeks as a triallist with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
Still a teenager, he played 35 games in 1976–77
1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was Port Vale's sixty-fifth season of football in the Football League, and their seventh successive season in the Third Division. In the FA Cup, Vale reached the Fifth Round for the first time since 1961–62, after progressing past two Second Division clubs...
, scoring four goals, as the "Valiants" narrowly avoided relegation. He made another thirty appearances in 1977–78
1977–78 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1977–78 season was Port Vale's sixty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and their eighth successive season in the Third Division. Finishing in 21st place, they were relegated to the Fourth Division...
, scoring twice, as Vale suffered relegation under Bobby Smith. Beech went to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to play on loan for Cleveland Cobras
Cleveland Cobras
The Cleveland Stars were an American soccer club based in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the American Soccer League in 1972-73. Before the 1974 season, the name was changed to the Cleveland Cobras. The Stars' colors were blue and white...
from May to August in 1978. He returned to Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
to score 4 goals in 24 games under Dennis Butler
Dennis Butler
Dennis Anthony Butler is an English former footballer and football manager. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers between 1959 and 1968, before ending his playing career following a five year spell at Rochdale...
in the 1978–79
1978–79 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1978–79 season was Port Vale's sixty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their first season back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division. Bernie Wright was highly impressive with his fifteen goals, though the rest of the team limped to a...
Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
campaign. He scored four goals and made 49 appearances in 1979–80
1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1979–80 season was Port Vale's sixty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their second successive season in the Fourth Division. One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a...
, keeping his first team place under the management merry-go-round that saw Dennis Butler, Alan Bloor
Alan Bloor
Alan Bloor is an English professional footballer and manager, now retired. He made close to 400 appearances in the Football League for both Potteries teams...
, and then John McGrath take charge. For his performances, fans voted him Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
. He posted another 52 appearances in 1980–81
1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was Port Vale's sixty-ninth season of football in the Football League, and their third successive season in the Fourth Division. A difficult season, by February the club were bottom of the Football League, however they rallied to finish in nineteenth place, thus avoiding a...
, scoring seven goals, as Vale again struggled near the foot of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
Beech was sold to Third Division Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
for a £10,000 fee in August 1981. Under Neil Martin
Neil Martin
Neil Martin is a Scottish former football player, who scored 100 league goals in both Scotland and England and won three full international caps for Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his strength, power, bravery and commitment, Martin scored consistently in a journeyman career...
's stewardship, the "Saddlers" avoided relegation in 1981–82 after finishing ahead of Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
on goal difference. Walsall improved under Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
in 1982–83, and finished in tenth place. With five goals in 79 league appearances for Walsall, Beech moved on to Fourth Division Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
. "Posh" posted mid-table finishes under John Wile
John Wile
John David Wile is an English former footballer and manager.Wile played as a central defender for Sunderland, although he did not play a Football League match for them. In 1967–68 he signed for Peterborough United, having had a trial there first...
in 1983–84 and 1984–85. Beech scored five goals in sixty league games for the club.
Beech joined newly promoted Alliance Premier League
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
in 1985. Rangers finished seventh in 1985–86, and lifted the Conference League Cup
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
after victory over Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
in the final. They followed this with a thirteenth place finish in 1986–87 and a sixth place finish in 1987–88. Beech then retired from the game at age 30, to take up a job with Michelin
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
in his native Stoke.
Honours
Individual- Port Vale F.C. Player of the YearPort Vale F.C. Player of the YearThe Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
: 19801979–80 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1979–80 season was Port Vale's sixty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their second successive season in the Fourth Division. One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a...
with Stafford Rangers
- Conference League CupConference League CupThe Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
winner: 1986