Famous Players – The 1970’s

Kenny Beech

Locally born Kenny was first spotted by Vale scouts playing for Stoke-on-Trent Schoolboys in 1974 and was invited to join the club’s youth team.  A skilful midfield player, he made his debut for the first team at the end of the 1975/75 season and signed his first professional contract in January 1976 just short of his 18th birthday.

His classy early performances resulted in him being offered trials with the England youth set-up and an extended trial at Manchester Utd.

Despite still being a teenager, he played 35 times in 1976/77 and continued making regular appearances in the Vale midfield for the next few seasons.  He was presented with the club Player of the Year award in 1980.

Kenny was sold to Walsall for £10,000 in August 1981 having made almost 200 appearances for the Vale.  He later played for Peterborough and finished his playing days at Stafford Rangers.