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Ken Gadsby had the worst possible start to his first team career
with Leeds - having waited three years he found himself on the
wrong end of a 1-7 thrashing at Everton. He went on to win a
regular first team place and went on tour with the FA to South
Africa in 1939. He played for Leeds and guested for a couple of
other sides during the war, but his career never got going again in
peacetime.
Edward Couzens-Lake says: Ken Gadsby. He was my PE Teacher at
Smithdon High School, in Hunstanton, Norfolk, in between 1974-1976.
Of rather rotund build, he was very keen on subjecting us lads to
rigorous gymnastic routines, barking his orders-and rather
uncannily resembling-the late, great Brian Glover's portrayl of a
PE teacher in "Kes". "Ken" looked like Glover, sounded like Glover,
and cajoled and encouraged a'la Glover, but he still had his
moments when he took us out onto the football pitch, though he
never said much about his Leeds days-we were all in awe of him
though, even if most of us supported Norwich City! Mind you, I
still feel let down by the fact that he expected us to do all these
complicated exercises in the gym, whilst he never did them
himself!
Robert Scott-Puttock says: As an evacuee,from London, to the
Kings Lynn area of Norfolk, I saw Ken Gadsby play football for
Kings Lynn. They were in some minor league, the name of which
escapes me. He was the player-manager and played in the right back
position if I recall correctly. He had, I believe come from Leeds
Utd. I was attending the King Edward V11 grammar school in Kings
Lynn amd had stayed on after the war in order to complete
schooling. When I saw Gadsby play it would be around 1950-2
although I cannot be sure of the dates. During that time he came to
the grammar school on one occasion to coach us at football. By some
fluke I scored quite a good goal and Ken Gadsby was complimentary.
I left school in 1952 and I remember this was shortly before then.
He was a popular coach on that occasion and gave the impression of
knowing his subject thoroughly. I liked his no-nonsense approach.
Leaving school I returned to London and of course never knew what
happened in East Anglia after that. I returned on one occasion to
wrestle in the local Corn Exchange in, I think, 1965 but was not in
the area long enough to enquire what was happening to people like
Gadsby.
Dave Conway says: I met him yesterday in Elm Ward in the Queen
Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn. He has had his left leg removed.
18/03/03
Nigel Cross says: You may not be aware that Ken passed away on
June 13th at Shoulham Hall Nursing Home. nr. Downham market in
Norfolk. I met Ken during the late seventies. he was very proud of
England caps and took great pride in showing them off. A lovely
man.
Chris Goodchild says: Around 1948-1952 I saw Ken Gadsby play
many times for King's Lynn when they were in the Eastern Counties
League. I believe he was centre forward and very popular with his
aggressive play. Ken lodged in a house opposite where I lived in
Kent Road, King's Lynn.
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