Kevin Hector

Infobox Football biography
playername = Kevin Hector


fullname = Kevin James Hector
dateofbirth = birth date and age|df=yes|1944|11|2
cityofbirth = Leeds
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
nickname =
position = Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1962-1966
1966-1978
1978-1980
1980-1982

clubs = Bradford Park Avenue
Derby County
Vancouver Whitecaps
Derby County
Burton Albion
caps(goals) = 176 (113)
430 (147)
63 (39)
056 00(8)
nationalyears = 1973
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 002 00(0)

Kevin James Hector (born in Leeds 2 November 1944) was an English footballer who played as a striker for Bradford Park Avenue, Vancouver Whitecaps, Burton Albion and Derby County during their most successful spell under Brian Clough and Dave Mackay, forming a formidable partnership with John O'Hare. Hector played for the club between 1966 and 1978, during which time they won the Football League First Division championship twice, the Football League Second Division championship, and reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, FA Cup and the League Cup. He rejoined the club for a brief spell towards the end of his career from 1980-1982. He made a total of 486 league appearances, and scoring 155 goals. He was also capped twice for England. His 486 league appearances is a record for a Derby County player.

He is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever wear a white Derby County shirt and was nicknamed "The King" by the Derby fans.

He first played for Bradford Park Avenue and was signed by then Derby County manager Tim Ward for the sum of £40,000. He left Derby for Vancouver Whitecaps when Tommy Docherty would not play Hector in the first team. He returned to Derby under Peter Taylor and scored in his final game. Hector then played for non-league Burton Albion, continuing to live in the Derby area.

On leaving football Hector became a postman, but was a regular player for Derby County charity events, including scoring his first overhead kick at age 59.

References

* [http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/kevinhector.htm Hector's Football League career stats]
* [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/?pf=p&i=2726&
]