Ted Killean

Football career Killean was born in Great Harwood, Lancashire and after serving with the 3rd Coldstream Guards joined his home-town club, Blackburn Rovers, in August 1894 going on to make over 100 appearances in all competitions.

In the 1894–95 season he was often played as an inside-forward and in January 1895, he and England international Henry Chippendale both scored hat-tricks in a 9–1 victory over Small Heath. By the end of the following season, Killean had become established at left-half taking over from Thomas Cleghorn who had moved on to join Liverpool.

Over the next two seasons, Killean rarely missed a league match for Blackburn who struggled near the foot of the First Division table, including having to go through the play-offs at the end of the 1897–98 season. Although Rovers came last in the play-off table, they retained their place in the top flight as the First Division was expanded to 18 clubs.

By November 1898, Peter Chambers had taken over at left-half and Killean was transferred to Glossop North End who had just been elected to the expanded Second Division. Killean was an ever-present for the rest of the 1898–99 season, at the end of which Glossop finished as runners-up and were thus promoted to the First Division. Glossop struggled in their only season in the top-flight, finishing at the foot of the table nine points behind second-last club Burnley and returned to the Second Division.

In the summer of 1900, Killean moved to the south coast to join Southampton of the Southern League as cover for England international Arthur Chadwick. Described as "a sturdy, diligent reserve" he made his debut for the "Saints" playing at centre-half in a 3–1 FA Cup defeat by Everton on 9 February 1901. In March, he made two league appearances when Chadwick was injured, and although these resulted in a 5–1 defeat of Queens Park Rangers and a 1–1 draw at Bristol City, Killean lost his place once Chadwick was fit. In his two league appearances, Killean "distributed the ball with precision"

Honours Glossop North End Football League Second Division runners-up: 1898–99