Ken Hancock

Kenneth Paul Hancock (25 November 1937 – 27 April 2025) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was the younger brother of Ray Hancock, who also played as a goalkeeper.

Hancock made 442 league appearances in a 15-year career in the Football League. He began his professional career at Port Vale in December 1958. He helped the club to win the Fourth Division title in 1958–59 and remained the club's first-choice goalkeeper until he was sold to Ipswich Town for a £10,000 fee in December 1964. He kept goal as the club won the Second Division title in 1967–68. He was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £7,000 in March 1969. He moved on to Bury in July 1971 and later played Northern Premier League football for Stafford Rangers and Northwich Victoria. He later briefly managed non-League club Leek Town.

Early life Kenneth Paul Hancock was born on 25 November 1937 in Milton, He spent his youth with Stoke City before he was let go after being judged as too small by assistant manager Arthur Turner. He made his debut in a 4–2 defeat by Millwall at The Den on 13 December. Port Vale had also accepted a bid from Manchester United, though Hancock had already signed with Ipswich before being informed that Matt Busby was trying to contact to him. He played one North London derby game against Arsenal at Highbury, keeping three clean sheets in his six games in all competitions. He left White Hart Lane and moved on to Bury in July 1971.

Later career Hancock was signed as a replacement for Neil Ramsbottom, though he would soon lose his first-team place to John Forrest. He played 35 Fourth Division games for the "Shakers" in 1971–72 and 1972–73 under the stewardship of Allan Brown and then Tom McAnearney. He then left Gigg Lane and later played Northern Premier League football for Stafford Rangers and Northwich Victoria. Former teammate Roy Sproson tried to bring him back to Port Vale, though no comeback was forthcoming as Hancock had already received his provident fund payout and could not re-sign for a Football League club. later serving as club chairman. He also sat on the Leek and Moorland League management committee. He co-founded Port Vale's Ex-Players Association with former teammate John Poole.

Style of play Former teammate Roy Sproson described him as: "strong in dealing with crosses, quick reactions and a fine kicker of the ball". He went on to describe a save in an FA Cup tie with Sunderland as one where "[he] turned in mid-air and managed to push the ball round the post in what still rates as the most fantastic save I have seen to this day." He could also drop-kick the ball into the opposition penalty area.

Later life and death Hancock returned to North Staffordshire after his playing career ended. He was a passionate fan of the opera, photography, painting, bird-watching, natural history and the guitar. He was survived by his wife of 64 years, Julia, as well as son Paul and daughter Shelby.

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1958–59 Fourth Division

1959–60 Third Division

1960–61 Third Division

1961–62 Third Division

1962–63 Third Division

1963–64 Third Division

1964–65 Third Division

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1964–65 Second Division

1965–66 Second Division

1966–67 Second Division

1967–68 Second Division

1968–69 First Division

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1969–70 First Division

1970–71 First Division

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1971–72 Fourth Division

1972–73 Fourth Division

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Honours Port Vale Football League Fourth Division: 1958–59

Ipswich Town Football League Second Division: 1967–68