John Keirs, born on 18 August 1947 in Irvine, Scotland, was the epitome of the no-nonsense central defender. Though not always in the spotlight, his name remains a fond memory for those who watched him play, whether in the bustling South African stadiums or the lesser-known English lower leagues.
PART ONE
Keirs’ career began in the small town of Annbank, where he first donned a football kit. From these humble beginnings, it wasn’t long before the young defender attracted attention. It was during a friendly match for a Cumnock select team that he was spotted by scouts from Charlton Athletic. The story goes that Annbank, Keirs’ first club, was left fuming when they learned that the fee for his transfer was destined to go to Cumnock instead. Nonetheless, in June 1965, Keirs found himself moving south to the London club, marking the beginning of what would be a long and varied career.
He made his first appearance for Charlton at the tail end of the 1965/66 season. Over the next five years, Keirs would become a fixture in the Addicks’ backline, earning 85 first-team appearances. His time at Charlton saw him developing into a robust, reliable defender, yet his stay at the Valley was not without its challenges. Despite his considerable talents, the rugged centre-back never quite achieved the heights that he may have hoped for in a higher league, but his tenacity and leadership on the pitch earned him the respect of his teammates and supporters alike.
However, after an injury-ridden spell and a desire for a new challenge, Keirs found himself on the move once more. In January 1971, he transferred to Cape Town City, a club based in South Africa’s top division. At the time, the move was a bold one, and many may have wondered if Keirs would fade from the professional scene. Yet, far from disappearing, Keirs flourished in the unfamiliar surroundings, playing for two years in Cape Town before returning to England.
Upon his return, Keirs briefly joined Stevenage Athletic, but it was his next destination that truly highlighted the versatility and character that defined his career. Tonbridge, in the 1973/74 season, proved to be the perfect stage for Keirs to reinvent himself, not just as a tough central defender, but also as a surprising offensive weapon. In a season that saw Tonbridge fighting in the lower leagues, Keirs, traditionally a defender, emerged as the team’s leading scorer. He netted an astonishing 18 goals—a remarkable tally for a player more accustomed to clearing headers than finding the back of the net. Keirs’ ability to push forward and contribute to the attack made him a standout player, and his versatility became one of his greatest assets.
After a successful stint with Tonbridge, Keirs’ journey continued at Weymouth. There, in the 1974/75 season, his reputation as a defensive stalwart grew. Yet, in the winter of 1977, the footballing winds shifted again, and Keirs found himself in a rather curious situation. Having become Weymouth’s leading scorer with ten goals, he was loaned to Margate on trial. Despite impressing in his brief appearances for Margate—including scoring in a 3-1 defeat at Burton—Keirs was recalled by Weymouth due to an injury crisis. It was a bitter pill for Margate, who had hoped to sign him, but their inability to meet Weymouth’s asking price dashed those hopes.
PART TWO
Nevertheless, Keirs’ time at Margate wasn’t his last foray into the world of semi-professional football. In the summer of 1977, Keirs signed for Maidstone, a club that, like many of the others in his career, was searching for stability. His time at Maidstone was short-lived, however, and in March 1978, he joined Folkestone & Shepway. Keirs’ move to Folkestone was marked by his role as a replacement for Neil Cugley, who had been sold to Margate. Despite the change, Keirs quickly established himself as a key figure in the squad, becoming a reliable presence at the back.
By the end of the 1970s, Keirs had become a well-travelled footballer. He was not done yet, though, and in 1979, he moved to Gravesend & Northfleet. Keirs had built a reputation as a versatile defender capable of playing in several roles, and it was this reputation that carried him into the 1980s. His time at Gravesend, however, was brief, and by the 1980/81 season, he was back at Tonbridge.
This time, Keirs wasn’t just a player. He was also taking on a leadership role, and by December 1982, he was named player-manager of Tonbridge. His transition from player to manager was seamless—he was a natural leader, on and off the pitch. Under his guidance, Tonbridge was a team that could fight tooth and nail for results, just as Keirs had done throughout his career. Keirs’ tenure as player-manager lasted until the summer of 1985, and though the club never achieved great success during this period, his leadership style and footballing wisdom were crucial to the club’s identity during these years.
Keirs’ career was the epitome of football in the lower leagues—a career built on hard work, reliability, and the occasional surprise. His time in South Africa, his remarkable scoring feats for Tonbridge, and his leadership roles across several clubs highlight the eclectic nature of his footballing journey. In a way, Keirs embodied the essence of the lower leagues: a player who may not have garnered the headlines, but whose dedication and passion for the game left an indelible mark on those who played alongside him and against him.
Sadly, John Keirs passed away on 27 December 1995, far too soon for a player who had given so much to the game. But while his career may not have been defined by trophies or international fame, Keirs’ legacy is one of resilience, versatility, and the kind of professional who embodied everything it means to be a footballer. The rugged defender who once found glory as Tonbridge’s top scorer will never be forgotten by those who saw him play—and that, in the end, is the greatest tribute to a footballer like John Keirs.