Career
After signing for the senior team at the age of 17, he made his League debut against Manchester City in December 1958. Kirkup made 165 League appearances for West Ham, scoring six goals, before joining in March 1966 for £27,000. He made 53 League appearances for the west London club, and joined Southampton in 1967.
He made 193 appearances for the Saints, scoring four goals.
In 1975, Kirkup emigrated to South Africa to join Durban City F.C. as player-manager, taking over the post from his old team-mate Johnny Byrne. He returned to England in mid-1976 and joined Byfleet Machine & Tool Company.
