We were saddened to hear of the passing of our former goalkeeper, Ken Hancock, who died at the age of 87 on Sunday 27 April.
Ken’s first appearance for Spurs was in Atlanta against Aston Villa during a pre-season tour of North America, two months after signing from Ipswich Town in March 1969. Understudy to Pat Jennings during his two-year stay in N17, he made four senior appearances in our colours. His competitive debut came at Sunderland in January, 1970, and the following season he featured against Arsenal, Swansea City in the League Cup and Crystal Palace in September, 1970.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent on 25 November, 1937, Ken spent five years as an amateur with Stoke City and, after national service with the Staffordshire Regiment, he joined boyhood club Port Vale in late 1958 and turned professional soon after his arrival.
He helped them win the Fourth Division title in 1958/59 and was almost ever-present over the next six years, making 269 appearances for Vale. He moved to Ipswich Town in December, 1964 and was a member of their 1967/68 Second Division championship-winning team.
Signed by Bill Nicholson to provide experienced cover for Jennings, he was a popular figure around the club and helped to bring through young goalkeepers of the time, such as Barry Daines and Terry Lee.
Ken left us for Bury in July, 1971, before a spell with Stafford Rangers and then moved in to coaching, spending time back at Port Vale in 1975 and managing non-league Leek Town for the 1978/79 season. He later co-founded Port Vale’s Ex-Players’ Association.
He leaves behind wife Julia, son Paul, daughter Shelby, son-in-law Richard, daughter-in-law Lisa, grandchildren Cara, Taylor, George, Jamie, Molly and Charlie and great-granddaughter Nora-Rae.
We would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.