George Kitchen

George Kitchen (born 1876) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in the early part of the twentieth century, including long spells at Everton and West Ham United.

Football career

Born in Fairfield, Derbyshire, Kitchen was an outstanding sportsman and became a professional golfer at the age of 14. He also played cricket and for a time worked as a coach at Dulwich College. He eventually decided to concentrate on football and, after a period with his local club, Buxton, playing in The Combination, he joined Stockport County, then playing in the Lancashire League.

After a year at Stockport, he move up to the Football League, joining Everton in 1898 as cover for Scottish international, Willie Muir. Kitchen made his debut on 14 January 1899, in a 2–0 victory over Preston North End. It was not until October 1901 that he became Everton's first-choice custodian, following Muir's departure, helping Everton to reach the runners-up position in the First Division at the end of the 1901–02 season. He retained his place in the side until the arrival of Irish international Billy Scott in the summer of 1904.