Bio:
After a successful start to his playing career in the lower leagues at Bradford Park Avenue, Tim Ward signed him for Derby County in 1966 and he was a key player in their success under the management of Brian Clough and Dave Mackay over the next few seasons, forming a formidable partnership with John O’Hare. Hector played for the Rams for a total of 12 years, during which time they won the Football League First Division championship twice (the first time in 1972 under Clough and the second time in 1975 under Mackay) and the Football League Second Division championship (in 1969), and reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, the FA Cup and the League Cup.
He left Derby for Vancouver Whitecaps and scored 15 goals for the Canadian outfit as they won the 1979 NASL title.
After his time in North America he rejoined Derby in the early 1980s.
He made a record 589 appearances for Derby in his two spells, 486 of which came in league games.
In season 1965–66, whilst playing for Bradford Park Avenue, he scored 44 league goals in a single 46-game league season plus 6 goals in the first 4 league games of the following season prior to his transfer to Derby.
Hector played twice for England, his debut coming as an 88th-minute substitute in the fateful World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley in October 1973, when England, needing victory to qualify, were held to a 1–1 draw. With his first touch of the ball, he nearly won the game for England as his header from a corner was cleared off the line.
Factfile:
- Full Name: Kevin James Hector
- Position: Forward
- Date of Birth: 02.11.1944
- Birthplace: Leeds
- Nation: England
- Full Caps: 2
- Major League Career
- 1962-66, Bradford Park Avenue (176/113)
- 1966-78, Derby County (430/147)
- 1980-82, Derby County (56/8)
- NASL
- 1978-80, Vancouver Whitecaps (63/39)
- More Facts
- Photo Gallery
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