Education
King attended the Glynn Road School, Hackney.
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Derek King
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Career
After leaving school aged 14 he trained as a tie maker and played his early football for Alexander Palace football club in 1945. King joined Tottenham Hotspur as a junior in the season of 1945-1946. After completing two years National Service serving with the Grenadier Guards he returned to Tottenham and in 1950 he became a full-time player.
The central defender made 19 appearances for the Spurs before transferring to Swansea City in August 1956.
A resolute player he featured in five matches with the Vetch Field club in 1956 before a recurring knee injury ended his senior career in December 1956. King attempted a come back at Ted Ditchburn"s Romford in 1959.
After retiring from football King used his skills as a tie maker when he was employed by Spurs legend Dave Mackay at his tie business. He later worked as a school caretaker.
At one time he lived adjacent to White Hart Lane at Paxton Road and maintained a close interest in football up to his death at a Huntingdon nursing home in 2003.
