Kenny Beech

Kenneth Beech (born 18 March 1958) is an English former footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981, he was sold to Walsall before he moved on to Peterborough United two years later. He dropped into non-League football with Stafford Rangers in 1985, with whom he won the Conference League Cup, before he retired in 1988. He played 314 league games in the Football League, scoring 28 goals.

Career Beech attended Edensor High School and represented Stoke Schoolboys. He was signed to Third Division side Port Vale as a youngster after impressing coach Reg Berks – this was despite Beech suffering from a broken leg at the time. He made his debut on the last day of the 1974–75 season under Roy Sproson, in a 1–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Vale Park on 28 April 1975. Under Neil Martin's stewardship, the "Saddlers" avoided relegation in 1981–82 after finishing ahead of Wimbledon on goal difference. Walsall improved under Alan Buckley in 1982–83, and finished in tenth place. With five goals in 79 league appearances for Walsall, Beech moved on to Fourth Division Peterborough United. "Posh" posted mid-table finishes under John Wile in 1983–84 and 1984–85. Beech scored five goals in sixty league games for the club.

Beech joined newly-promoted Alliance Premier League side Stafford Rangers in 1985. Rangers finished seventh in 1985–86 and lifted the Conference League Cup after victory over Barnet in the final. They followed this with a 13th-place finish in 1986–87 and a sixth-place finish in 1987–88. Beech then retired from the game at age 30, to take up a job with Michelin in his native Stoke.

Career statistics

Honours Individual Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year: 1980

Stafford Rangers Conference League Cup: 1986