Bobby Kennedy

Robert Kennedy (23 June 1937 – 11 January 2025) was a Scottish footballer, who played as a wing half or full-back.

Playing career Bobby Kennedy started his career at Coltness United and after trials with Queen of the South and Clyde he joined Kilmarnock in 1957. While at Kilmarnock he overcame serious illness to continue his career, which included one cap for Scotland Under 23s. He returned to the Kilmarnock team which were Scottish League Division One and Scottish Cup runners-up in 1959–60 and Division One and Scottish League Cup runners-up in 1960–61.

In July 1961 Manchester City paid £45,000 for Kennedy after 85 games with Kilmarnock.

On 16 October 2021, it was announced by Manchester City, that Kennedy, along with teammate Stan Horne and the families of teammates, Harry Dowd and Paul Hince would be receiving winners medals for the Division One championship-winning season in 1967–68 during half-time at that day's Premier League match against Burnley at the City of Manchester Stadium, after the club's official request to the EFL, that medals be awarded to Stan, Paul, Bobby and posthumously to Harry, was approved in January 2021. The medals were presented by Manchester City Ambassador and former teammate of the recipients, Mike Summerbee.

Managerial career Kennedy became player-manager at Grimsby Town in 1969. Grimsby had to apply for re-election in Kennedy's first season as they came 23rd in Division Four. In the following two seasons, Grimsby came 16th and 19th, before Kennedy resigned in May 1971.

He became Bradford City's coach and youth team manager, before he had a brief spell with Dundalk. He returned to Bradford, first at City then as honorary manager at Bradford Park Avenue. He returned to Bradford City for a third time in January 1975 when he succeeded Bryan Edwards as manager. He led City to 10th in Division Four in his first season before becoming the club's first manager of the month in January 1976. His son, Graeme, played football to a semi-professional level, as a goalkeeper, before coaching at the academies of FC Halifax Town, and then Bradford City.

Bobby Kennedy died on 11 January 2025, at the age of 87.

Managerial statistics