Bill Kinghorn

William “Bill” Kinghorn turned professional when he joined Liverpool from Queen’s Park on 2 May 1938. Liverpool manager George Kay travelled to Scotland to secure the outside-left’s signature, completing the signing at Kinghorn’s home. Kinghorn made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield on 27 August 1938. Establishing himself proved difficult in a remarkably settled Liverpool side: ten players made at least 30 league appearances in 1938/39, the last full season before the outbreak of the Second World War. The left wing was one of the few positions where the place changed hands regularly, with Kinghorn and Harman van den Berg sharing much of the responsibility.

After three appearances at the start of the campaign, Kinghorn lost his place in September. He returned in November when van den Berg suffered a cartilage injury and marked his recall by scoring the only goal against Blackpool at Anfield on 26 November. Further goals followed against Derby County and Sunderland in December. He finished the season with 19 league appearances and four goals, compared with van den Berg’s 16 appearances, scoring his final goal in a 1–1 home draw with Sunderland on 22 April 1939.