Ken Johnson

One of the club`s greatest ever servants, home town boy Kenny Johnson scored on his debut on the last day of the 1940s, but it was for his work in the following decade that he would be chiefly remembered. He scored 21 goals in 30 league games as Pools finished fourth in Division Three (North). A year later he scored 26 times, including a goal in perhaps the club`s most famous cup tie, a 4-3 defeat against Matt Busby`s Manchester United. Five decades later he was voted Player of the 1950s at the club`s Centenary Awards in 2008.

As well as his outstanding contribution to the forward line, Johnson also played a significant number of games in a deeper role. When he finally called time on his 15-year one club career in 1964 he had clocked up over 400 appearances and scored a club record 98 Football League goals. Kenny continued to live in the town after retirement and remained involved with the football club, often working as a host on matchdays. He died in December 2011 at the age of 80.