Keen Eric Image 2 Derby County 1936

Description

Walker, Newcastle born left half Eric “Ike” Keen played for Nun’s Moor in 1925 and Newcastle Swifts in 1926 from where he joined hometown First Division club Newcastle United in September 1927, making his Football League debut against Derby County in October 1930, his only appearance for Newcastle before being transferred to Derby County two months later in a swap deal involving Harry Bedford, He played in Derby’s teams throughout the 1930’s, including their 1936 team that finished as League runners up. He was also an FA Cup semi finalist in 1933 when Derby lost 3-2 to Manchester City at Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

In 1938 he joined non league Chelmsford City after 5 goals in 237 appearances for The Rams, and he played for Hereford United in 1939 before the onset of the Second World War. After the War he spent time at both Leeds United and Hull City but didn’t make either club’s first eleven, and played for Bacup Borough in 1946.  Keen managed Egypt between 1947 and 1948, and was in charge at the 1948 Summer Olympics.He was also the player manager of IFK Norrkoping of Sweden in 1949 and Turkish club side Besiktas between 1949 and 1950.

Keen won 4 caps for England. After a non playing call up against Wales in November 1932 he made his England debut in a friendly match against Austria in a 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge on 7th December 1932. Although selected 3 times thereafter, each time he was a non playing reserve until his next cap in a defeat to Wales at Ninian Park in October 1936. His final two caps came in the next two months against Ireland and Hungary respectively. He also played once for The Football League.