*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Gordon Heckley
Appearances: 38 Goals: 11
Date / Year of birth: 8th January 1928
Position: Winger
Season of first appearance: 1946/47
Season of last appearance: 1947/48
Also played for: West Ham United (0), Canterbury City, Ramsgate Athletic and Chislet Colliery Welfare
Skilful left winger born in Hersden near Canterbury who could also play as a striker.
Gordon was the son of a former Margate reserve team player and was considered to be one of the club's brightest prospects as an 18 year-old during the 1946/47 season. He made his debut in Margate's first game after World War II - a 1-1 draw at Gillingham Reserves on 31.8.46. Gordon went on to make 35 appearances as Margate won the Kent League title and his tally of 11 goals included one direct from a corner and several excellent solo efforts. Player-manager Charlie Walker said of Gordon's strike in a 3-1 win over Shorts Sports at Hartsdown Park on 7.12.46 "I have not seen many better goals in first class football."
Gordon's talents came to the attention of West Ham during the season and in December 1946 they signed him on amateur forms. That was shortly after Jack Yeomanson had been signed by the Hammers. He went on to become a professional with the East London club but Gordon wasn't so lucky.
He ended up remaining with Margate for the 1947/48 season and unfortunately his performances didn't live up to the standards he'd set during the previous campaign. Gordon played only three times in the first two months of the season and in November 1947 he was released and signed for Canterbury.
Gordon later had a spell at Ramsgate that included the 1951/52 campaign before rejoining Canterbury.
He was still with City during the 1952/53 season and then had a spell with Kent Amateur League club Chislet Colliery Welfare before returning to Margate in the summer of 1954.
Gordon had impressed manager Almer Hall who had watched him play three times during 1953/54 and the Margate manager said "Heckley produces an attractive game and, with a little coaching, will prove a sound Kent League man." However Gordon couldn't break into the first team and played exclusively for the reserves before departing once more.
He worked as a blacksmith's striker during his first spell at Hartsdown and died in the Canterbury area in January 1998.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1946/47 (MFC) |
35 (38) |
N/A |
11 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1ST OF 16) |
PR |
2R |
N/A |
SF |
|
Margate
won Kent League title. | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1947/48 (MFC) |
3 (47) |
N/A |
0 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1ST OF 18) |
1QR |
1R |
W |
W |
|
Margate
won Kent League
title. | |||||||||