Derek Albert King (15 August 1929 – 16 June 2003) was an English professional footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City.Hugman, BJ (Ed) The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005 (2005) p350. Retrieved 17 June 2010
Biography King attended the Glynn Road School, Hackney.Derek King's obituary Retrieved 17 June 2010 After leaving school aged 14 he trained as a tie maker and played his early football for Alexander Palace football club in 1945. King joined Tottenham Hotspur as a junior in the season of 1945–46. After completing two years National Service serving with the Grenadier Guards he returned to Tottenham and in 1950 he became a full-time player. He made his senior debut in a 1–0 home win against Fulham on 20 August 1951. The central defender made 19 appearances for the Spurs Tottenham Hotspur F.C A-Z of players Retrieved 29 November 2012 before transferring to Swansea City in August 1956. A resolute player he featured in five matches with the Vetch Field club in 1956 before a recurring knee injury ended his senior career in December 1956. King attempted a comeback at Ted Ditchburn's Romford in 1959.Swansea City profile Retrieved 17 June 2010
Post-football–career After retiring from football King used his skills as a tie maker when he was employed by Spurs legend Dave Mackay at his tie business. He later worked as a school caretaker. At one time he lived adjacent to White Hart Lane at Paxton Road and maintained a close interest in football up to his death at a Huntingdon nursing home in 2003.
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