Jack Kirby (English footballer)

Jack Kirby

Personal information
Full name	John Kirby
Date of birth	(1909-09-30)30 September 1909
Place of birth	Overseal, England
Date of death	15 June 1960(1960-06-15) (aged 50)
Place of death	Derby, England
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
–	Newhall United
1929–1938	Derby County	173	(0)
1938–1939	Folkestone Town
Managerial career
1938–1939	Folkestone Town (player-manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Kirby (30 September 1909 – 15 June 1960) was an English football goalkeeper who played for Derby County. Kirby is best remembered as the only Derby player touring Germany in 1934 who refused to stiff arm salute before each game.

Derby County

Kirby joined Derby County from Staffordshire based, Newhall United in April 1929. Kirby debuted for Derby during the 1929–30 season. In 1934 he was part of the Derby side that toured Germany. Kirby defied the German authorities by being the only member of the team to refuse to give the Nazi salute before each game. A photo of Kirby turning his body 90 degrees and being the only Derby player refusing to stiff arm salute, was auctioned for 550 pounds in 2012. Kirby's gesture preceded Stan Cullis being dropped when responding "Count me out", when directed pre-match to stiff arm salute when England played Germany in Berlin in 1938.

After Derby

Kirby left Derby in August 1938 to become player-manager of Folkestone Town. He held that role until August 1939, the month before World War II began. He died aged 50 in 1960.