John Keirs

richie8

Have just found out the team mate and his Mum I pick up to take to the football training with my youngest in deepest Ayrshire are family friends of John Keirs sister. I have looked him up and he was signed from Annbank Utd, a centre half he played 78 times for us and scored once between 1965-71. A bit before my time as I made my first visit in early 74,does anyone have any memories of him?

LenGlover

Wasn't a bad centre half. Not first choice if everyone was fit probably but a good squad man for sure. Physically a slight resemblance to Morro to look at but not as solidly built as him.

I believe he sadly passed away a few years ago now.

richie8

He has passed away I know that much. She had said he had played for someone and I only really took an interest when she said it was Charlton.

Harry Gregory

In my mind Keirs or Ian King seemed to be substitute in my first season of going.

charltonbob

Harry Gregory said:

In my mind Keirs or Ian King seemed to be substitute in my first season of going.

Ian King surely not, hang on a sec wasn't Ian King a year or two before the age of subs. anyway ?

John Keirs mainly centre half but didn't he play left wing at least once? Off topic but talking of players playing "out of position" remember Mike Kenning playing left back home against Leicester & we were done 0-5

thai malaysia addick

charltonbob said:

Harry Gregory said:

In my mind Keirs or Ian King seemed to be substitute in my first season of going.

Ian King surely not, hang on a sec wasn't Ian King a year or two before the age of subs. anyway ?

John Keirs mainly centre half but didn't he play left wing at least once? Off topic but talking of players playing "out of position" remember Mike Kenning playing left back home against Leicester & we were done 0-5

You're quite right about John Keirs wearing the 11 shirt and Mike Kenning playing at left back. Kenning at left back was one of the biggest disasters ever.

John Keirs was a decent centre half. I used to watch the reserves regularly at that time and he was outstanding at that level. As Len said he became a bit of a utility man (before there were utility men) and never held a regular place. He would fill in at wing half, full back or, as you say, on the wing.

RedChaser

Remember him mainly as centre half athletic build six footer, whose most appearances in a season were 23 in 69/70 when we just avoided relegation. Haydock, Tocknell and Hewie would have been the established half back line when he made his first appearance in 65/66 and thereafter he would have had to contend with the likes of Appleton, King, Reeves, Went and in his final season Shipperley for a starting berth in his favoured position. He was ok did a job for us and never concerned me when his name appeared in the starting eleven.

TheDrunkenDuck

I was surprised that he played so few games, he always seemed to be around the first team, he was a fine solid player.

[Deleted User]

John Kiers Front Row.

Viewfinder

There is a photograph of John Keirs on the cover of the programme v Ipswich, 20 December 1966. "Not yet 20 years of age, Ayrshire born John has made steady progress since he was signed in June 1965. In less than a year he made his League debut for Charlton, and in the first eight games of the current season figured at left half, then right half, then centre half. He has also filled the right back position in a reserve team emergency and is a happy type who enjoys his football in any position. John has made a host of friends since he came south from his beloved Scotland."

Pedro45

He was a good reserve centre half, if Wally Went or (earlier) Ian King were not available. I think he blotted his copybook by getting sent off at The Valley in the late sixties (in the days when you really had to do something bad to be sent off!), and disappeared from the team as we entered the seventies.

man_at_milletts

Fond memories of Johnny Kiers. As it's been said he had to contend with some good competition to get into the first team, but was solid and dependable.

Used to watch him in the reserves in those days, when we had reserve teams and games were played at the Valley.

LenGlover

I think when he left Charlton he had a spell playing and managing at Tonbridge (or Tonbridge Angels as they're known these days).

thai malaysia addick

He went from Charlton to Cape Town City and then rattled around a number of non-league sides including Tonbridge, Maidstone and others. Interestingly, he had two spells at Tonbridge playing for both Tonbridge and Tonbridge Angels.

richie8

Did we have a scout up here at that time? Whilst looking up details on John(who we must have signed as an 18 year old) I noticed we got another player from the Ayrshire Junior ranks round about the same time,I cant recall his name but he played for one of the Irvine Junior clubs. A lot of talent up here that Ayr Utds youth system are crucifying!!

Miserableoldgit

Hope these scan okay:
From Mr Camerons excellent "The Valiant 500".

richie8

Thanks for the info lads!

dkeirs

This was my uncle so if you want any more info let me know.

Henry Irving

Yes please.

Anything else you can tell us would be very welcome.