England under-23 international Johnny Kirkham had a season with Exeter City in the late 1960s after previously playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Peterborough United. He later played for Horwich RMI and in South Africa.

Signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers from Ellesmere Port Town in May 1958, Johnny went on to win international caps for England at youth and under-23 level whilst playing exactly 100 league matches for Wolves (netting 12 goals). Aged twenty-four, he stepped down the ladder to sign for Peterborough United in November 1965 where he added another 48 league appearances and two goals.

Not always a regular for the Posh, Johnny joined Exeter City on a free transfer in time for the 1968/69 season and made his Grecians’ debut back at Peterborough on 10 August 1968. Playing in 32 league games - 29 of which came in the first 33 games - he scored six times in the league including a flurry of four strikes in January as well as netting a memorable winner in the dying minutes of extra-time in a League Cup second replay against Plymouth Argyle at Plainmoor. 

Released in the summer of 1969, Johnny’s professional career was over at the age of twenty-eight as he signed for Horwich RMI and also appeared in South Africa for Durban Spurs .

Johnny died on 11 February 2021.