FRED MCKENZIE

Born: 13 November 1903

Came from: Newport County   Went to: Newport County

First game: 27 February 1926   Last game: 14 April 1934

Appearances: 214 (214/0)   Goals: 13

Born in Lochee in the west of Dundee, McKenzie started his career with Scottish junior side Lochee United before joining Newport County, for whom he played 67 times between 1924 and 1925, scoring once. He moved to Home Park, under Bob Jack, due to an emerging financial crisis at Newport - his transfer fee, of £1,500, was a record for the Welsh club at the time and helped secure their future.

A leading member of the Argyle team in the second half of the 1920s and a near-permanent member of the Pilgrims' half-back line, McKenzie was not blessed with great pace, but like many slower players, he had the footballing brain to compensate.

His signing from Newport was also opportune as fellow defender Jack Pullen suffered a long-term injury not long after his arrival, which, without McKenzie's presence, may have left the club somewhat short. However, defensive cover ended up not being the biggest priority for the 1925-26 season. He played 14 times in that debut season, and presumably enjoyed some quieter spells at the back, given the club finished leading scorers in the Football League with 107 goals from 42 games.

The 1927-28 season was probably his finest for the club, playing in all 43 league and cup games, as Argyle's infamous run of six seasons of finishing in the runner-up spot, when only one team was promoted, ended, as they finished an even more frustrating third. However, redemption wasn't too far away for the club, and McKenzie as, after a fourth-place finish the following season, Argyle finally achieved the first-place finish required for promotion, by winning the Division Three (South) title in 1929-30.

McKenzie provided sterling service in nearly nine years at Home Park, making over 200 appearances for the club, scoring 13 times. He was an early 'Penalty King' at the club, with many of his goals coming from the spot, converting 12 out of the 13 he took.

During his time with the club, a bout of blood poisoning also resulted in him having a toe surgically removed, though this clearly didn't impede his playing ability.

His time at Argyle came to an end when he was released in 1934, and he returned briefly to play for Newport County, playing a further 22 times in 1934-35. However, his family were settled in the Plymouth area and he returned to the city after his career finished. He worked locally as a publican and followed Argyle's fortunes. Some years on, his son was selected for the England Schools' rugby team whilst at school in Devonport.

McKenzie passed away in the city in November 1979, aged 76 years old.