Robert King (footballer)

Canon Robert Stuart King (4 April 1862 – 4 March 1950) was an English international footballer and Anglican clergyman.

This article is about the English footballer. For the New Zealand international footballer, see Bob King (New Zealand footballer).

Robert King
Personal information
Full name Robert Stuart King[1]
Date of birth (1862-04-04)4 April 1862
Place of birth Leigh-on-Sea, England
Date of death 4 March 1950(1950-03-04) (aged 87)
Position(s) Half back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1882–1885 Oxford University
Upton Park
Grimsby Town
National team
1882 England 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Family

King was the sixth and youngest child of Rev. Walker King, Rector of Leigh-on-Sea, and Juliana Stuart.[1][2] His brother Charles was also a footballer.

On his father's side, many of his relatives were prominent clergymen, including his uncle, Rt. Rev. Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, his grandfather, Ven. Walker King, Archdeacon of Rochester, and his great-grandfather, Rt. Rev. Walker King, Bishop of Rochester.

On his mother's side, his relatives included the diplomat Robert Stuart, the artist James Stuart and the Indian Army officer Charles "Hindoo" Stuart.

King married Ruby Elberta Kate Irene Dando in 1902. One of their four children was the cricketer Jasper King.[1]

Education and clerical career

King attended Felsted School from 1873 to 1880, where he was captain of the Cricket XI in 1879 and captain of the Football XI in 1880.[1][3]

He later studied at Hertford College, Oxford, obtaining his B.A. degree in 1885 and his M.A. in 1890.

He was ordained in 1888.[1] He initially worked as curate at St James Church, Grimsby, and was later appointed assistant curate at St Clement's Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.[1]

In 1892 King succeeded his father as Rector of Leigh-on-Sea, serving until his death in 1950.[1][4] In 1918 he was appointed honorary Canon of Chelmsford.[3]

Football career

Whilst at Oxford, King played in the Football XI from 1882 to 1885. He earned one cap for the English national team on 18 February 1882, playing as a half back in a match against Ireland.[1][5]

King also played for Upton Park and Grimsby Town in the 1880s.[1]

Later life

During World War Two he served in the Home Guard as a sergeant, but as a clergyman, he was not allowed to bear arms.[1]

References
  1. "England Players - Robert King". www.englandfootballonline.com.
  2. Alumni Oxonienses, 1715-1886, p. 796
  3. Felsted School archives - retrieved online on 17 October 2010
  4. Saint Clement's Church history - retrieved online on 17 October 2010
  5. "englandstats.com | 566 Charles Gee (1931 - 1936)". www.englandstats.com.
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