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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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