Ken Todd (1957-2026) English Footballer

Who Was Ken Todd?

Kenneth Todd (24 August 1957 – 7 September 2026) was an English footballer who played as a midfielder in the late 1970s and 1980s. He scored 11 goals in 52 games in the English Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale, and Portsmouth, before dropping into the Southern League with Fareham Town and Waterlooville. Later in his career, he worked as Havant's player-manager and returned to Portsmouth as the youth team manager.

Todd was born in Butterknowle, a village in County Durham, and grew up in the north-east of England. He was scouted by Joe Mycock, who lived opposite his school in Staindrop, and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers as an apprentice on his 15th birthday in 1972. It was the start of a football journey that would take him across England, from the First Division to the Southern League, and from playing to managing.

He passed away on 7 September 2026, at the age of 69. His death was announced by the Pompey Former Players Association and Havant and Waterlooville FC, both of which paid warm tributes to a man who had given so much to the game. He was laid to rest at Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon, County Durham.

Ken Todd Cause of Death

Ken Todd died on 7 September 2026, at the age of 69. A specific cause of death was not publicly disclosed by his family. His passing was announced by the Pompey Former Players Association, which shared the news on Facebook, and by Havant and Waterlooville FC, where he had once been a player-manager.

His funeral notice was handled by John Blenkiron and Sons, Richmond, and he was laid to rest at Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon, Durham Unitary Authority, County Durham, England. The crematorium serves the communities of south-west County Durham, close to where Todd had grown up and spent his early years.

Tributes poured in from across the football world. Former teammates and supporters remembered him as a hard-working midfielder who always gave his best for the team. The Pompey Former Players Association described him as "a popular figure" who would be greatly missed. Havant and Waterlooville FC, where he scored 50 goals in a single season for the Hawks, released a statement saying "Rest in Peace Kenny Todd."

Career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Ken Todd began his career at Sammy Chung's Wolverhampton Wanderers, having been scouted by Joe Mycock, who lived opposite his school in Staindrop. He joined the club as an apprentice on his 15th birthday after a trial in the summer of 1972. He chose Wolves despite advances from Middlesbrough and Birmingham City, largely because he was impressed by the club providing him with tickets for the 1972 UEFA Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

He was a member of the 1976 FA Youth Cup side that were beaten 5-0 on aggregate in the final by Black Country derby rivals West Bromwich Albion. He made his debut for the senior team on 6 November 1976, in a 3-1 victory over Millwall at Molineux. He went on to make a further four appearances, scoring one goal against Hereford United, as Wolves won promotion as champions of the Second Division in 1976-77. Wolves then finished 15th in the First Division in 1977-78, and Todd featured in only one game, a home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Port Vale

Despite his lack of experience, Port Vale manager Dennis Butler broke a club record to purchase him for a £37,000 fee in August 1978. However, Todd struggled to live up to his price tag and was singled out for abuse at Vale Park. He scored eight goals in 42 Fourth Division and FA Cup games in the 1978-79 season.

He lost his first-team place under new boss Alan Bloor in August 1979 and played just three games in the 1979-80 season before he was sold to Portsmouth for £20,000 in October. It was a difficult period in his career, but Todd never lost his love for the game.

Portsmouth and Later Career

Todd scored just one goal in three Fourth Division games for Frank Burrows's Pompey in the 1979-80 promotion campaign. He left Fratton Park and later played for Fareham Town in the Southern League and then for Waterlooville. He scored 50 goals in one season for the Havant Hawks and later worked as Havant's player-manager.

Todd also returned to Portsmouth as the youth team manager. In a 2014 interview, he stated that he was "amazed" when Burrows offered him the position, as the pair had fallen out the moment he first arrived at the club. It was a testament to Todd's character that he was able to rebuild that relationship and go on to serve the club in a new role.

Personal Life and Death

Kenneth Todd was born in Butterknowle on 24 August 1957. He married Suzanne and had a daughter. He was a devoted family man and kept his personal life relatively private throughout his football career and afterward.

Todd died on 7 September 2026, at the age of 69. He was laid to rest at Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon, Durham Unitary Authority, County Durham, England. His funeral notice was handled by John Blenkiron and Sons, Richmond. He was remembered by former clubs, teammates, and supporters as a talented midfielder and a much-loved figure in English football.

Career Statistics

Ken Todd's career statistics reflect a player who gave everything to every club he represented. Here is a breakdown of his appearances and goals by club, season, and competition.

Honours

Ken Todd achieved several notable honours during his football career.

• Wolverhampton Wanderers
• FA Youth Cup runner-up: 1976
• Second Division champions: 1976-77 (as part of the Wolves squad)

Tributes and Legacy

Following the announcement of Ken Todd's death, tributes poured in from across the football world. The Pompey Former Players Association shared the news on Facebook, describing Todd as a popular figure who would be greatly missed. Havant and Waterlooville FC released a statement saying "Rest in Peace Kenny Todd."

Former teammates remembered him as a hard-working midfielder who always gave his best for the team, whether he was playing in the First Division at Molineux or in the Southern League at Fareham Town. Supporters remembered him as a player who wore his heart on his sleeve and never stopped running.

Todd's legacy is one of dedication and resilience. He experienced the highs of promotion with Wolves and the lows of struggling to live up to a record transfer fee at Port Vale. Through it all, he kept playing, kept scoring, and kept giving back to the game he loved. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Conclusion: Remembering Ken Todd

Ken Todd was a footballer who lived for the game. From his early days as an apprentice at Wolverhampton Wanderers to his later years as a player-manager at Havant, he gave everything he had to every club he represented. He was not the biggest name in English football, but he was the kind of player every team needs: hard-working, honest, and utterly committed.

His death on 7 September 2026, at the age of 69, marked the end of a life that had been defined by football. He was laid to rest at Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon, County Durham, close to the village of Butterknowle where he was born. He is survived by his wife Suzanne and his daughter.

As the football world mourns his passing, it also celebrates a career that spanned more than a decade and touched the lives of everyone who watched him play. Ken Todd will be deeply missed, but his goals, his energy, and his love for the game will live on in the memories of all who saw him play.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ken Todd

Who was Ken Todd?

Kenneth Todd (24 August 1957 – 7 September 2026) was an English footballer who played as a midfielder. He scored 11 goals in 52 games in the English Football League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale, and Portsmouth in the late 1970s. He later played in the Southern League for Fareham Town and Waterlooville, and worked as Havant's player-manager.

How did Ken Todd die?

Ken Todd died on 7 September 2026, at the age of 69. His death was announced by the Pompey Former Players Association and Havant and Waterlooville FC. He passed away peacefully, though a specific cause of death was not publicly disclosed by his family.

What was Ken Todd's cause of death?

Ken Todd died on 7 September 2026, at the age of 69. A specific cause of death was not publicly disclosed by his family. He was remembered by his former clubs and teammates as a talented midfielder and a beloved member of the football community.

Where was Ken Todd buried?

Ken Todd was laid to rest at Wear Valley Crematorium in Coundon, Durham Unitary Authority, County Durham, England. His funeral notice was handled by John Blenkiron and Sons, Richmond.

What was Ken Todd famous for?

Ken Todd was famous for his career as an English footballer in the late 1970s. He played as a midfielder for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale, and Portsmouth, scoring 11 goals in 52 English Football League games. He later played for Fareham Town and Waterlooville in the Southern League, and scored 50 goals in one season for the Havant Hawks.

Where was Ken Todd born?

Ken Todd was born on 24 August 1957 in Butterknowle, England. He grew up in County Durham and attended school in Staindrop, where he was scouted by Joe Mycock, who lived opposite his school.

How did Ken Todd start his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers?

Ken Todd began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers after being scouted by Joe Mycock. He joined the club as an apprentice on his 15th birthday after a trial in the summer of 1972, despite advances from Middlesbrough and Birmingham City. He was impressed by the club providing him with tickets for the 1972 UEFA Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur.

When did Ken Todd make his senior debut?

Ken Todd made his senior debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers on 6 November 1976, in a 3-1 victory over Millwall at Molineux. He went on to make a further four appearances, scoring one goal against Hereford United, as Wolves won promotion as champions of the Second Division in 1976-77.

How much did Port Vale pay for Ken Todd?

Port Vale manager Dennis Butler broke a club record to purchase Ken Todd for a £37,000 fee in August 1978. However, Todd struggled to live up to his price tag and was singled out for abuse at Vale Park. He scored eight goals in 42 Fourth Division and FA Cup games in the 1978-79 season.

How much did Portsmouth pay for Ken Todd?

Portsmouth bought Ken Todd for £20,000 in October 1979 after he lost his first-team place at Port Vale under new boss Alan Bloor. He scored just one goal in three Fourth Division games for Frank Burrows's Pompey in the 1979-80 promotion campaign.

What did Ken Todd do after leaving Portsmouth?

After leaving Portsmouth, Ken Todd played for Fareham Town in the Southern League and later for Waterlooville. He scored 50 goals in one season for the Havant Hawks and later worked as Havant's player-manager. He also returned to Portsmouth as the youth team manager.

What did Ken Todd say about returning to Portsmouth as youth team manager?

In a 2014 interview, Ken Todd stated that he was "amazed" when Frank Burrows offered him the position as Portsmouth's youth team manager, as the pair had fallen out the moment he first arrived at the club.

Was Ken Todd married and did he have children?

Yes, Ken Todd married Suzanne and had a daughter. He was a devoted family man and kept his personal life relatively private throughout his football career and afterward.

What honours did Ken Todd win?

Ken Todd was a member of the Wolverhampton Wanderers 1976 FA Youth Cup side that were beaten 5-0 on aggregate in the final by Black Country derby rivals West Bromwich Albion. He was also part of the Wolves squad that won promotion as champions of the Second Division in 1976-77.

What was Ken Todd's height and position?

Ken Todd was 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 metres) tall and played as a midfielder. He was known for his energy, his goal-scoring ability from midfield, and his versatility across several clubs in the English Football League and Southern League.

How many goals did Ken Todd score in his career?

Ken Todd scored 11 goals in 52 English Football League appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale, and Portsmouth. He also scored 26 goals in 102 appearances for Fareham Town, and 50 goals in one season for the Havant Hawks.