Dennis Jennings (footballer)

Dennis Jennings

Personal information
Full name	Dennis Bernard Jennings
Position(s)	Outside right / Left back

Dennis Bernard Jennings (20 July 1910 – March 1996) was an English professional footballer. He played more than 300 games in the top two divisions of the Football League over a 21-year career which was interrupted by the Second World War. He was the oldest player to appear for Birmingham City in a competitive first-team match.

Born in Habberley Valley, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, Jennings played for several local clubs before joining West Bromwich Albion as an amateur. He then played for Kidderminster Harriers before turning professional with First Division Huddersfield Town. He played 33 games for them before moving to Grimsby Town, where he helped the club to win the 1933–34 Second Division title. Birmingham paid £1,200 for his services in 1936.

Originally an outside right, in his 15-year Birmingham career he played in every outfield position apart from centre half. During the war he made 174 appearances for the club, contributing to them winning the wartime Football League South in 1945–46; he also guested for Nottingham Forest. After the war he played for five seasons at full back, most often left back, and helped Birmingham win the Second Division championship in 1947–48. He played his last competitive first team game for the club on 6 May 1950 at the age of 39 years 290 days, which made him the oldest player to appear for the first team. He then moved on to former club Kidderminster as player-coach, finishing his career at Lockheed Leamington.

After football he retired to the Wadebridge area of Cornwall where he and his brother ran a caravan park. He died in March 1996 aged 85.

Honours

• with Grimsby Town
  • Football League Second Division champions 1934.
• with Birmingham City
  • Football League South champions 1946.
  • Football League Second Division champions 1948.

References

• Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. pp. 101, 178–85. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
• Matthews, Tony (2000). The Encyclopedia of Birmingham City Football Club 1875-2000. Cradley Heath: Britespot. ISBN 978-0-9539288-0-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)