Background
McKenzie was born in Edinburgh and joined Hearts from Haddington Athletic in 1942 as a centre-half, having initially played as a centre forward as a juvenile with Pentland Rovers.
McKenzie was born in Edinburgh and joined Hearts from Haddington Athletic in 1942 as a centre-half, having initially played as a centre forward as a juvenile with Pentland Rovers.
After only one appearance for the Hearts team in the Wartime League, he left for Arakan, where he served in The Royal Scots during the Second World War. McKenzie returned to Edinburgh at the war"s conclusion and established himself in Hearts first team as a left back. Renowned for his strength and tackling skill, he enjoyed particular success in his personal battles against one of Scotland"s most famous right wingers of the time, Hibernian"s Gordon Smith.
Despite Hibs enjoying great success in the late 1940s and early 1950s, McKenzie"s effective shackling of Smith ensured that Hearts enjoyed the upper hand in Derby matches of the era.
McKenzie captained Hearts during the 1949-1950 season and was part of the side which eventually ended their 48-year trophy drought by winning the 1954-1955 League Cup. In 1959, McKenzie eventually left Hearts, moving south to Wisbech Town at the age of 36.
He played one season with the Southern Football League club before moving to March Town as player-manager. He was still domiciled in England when he died in 1967, as the result of a car crash.