Jackie Kirkaldie born August 2, 1917
Born in Coventry, Jackie played for the Leamington St. John’s club before spells at Southend United and West Ham United. In April 1939 he signed for Rovers and made his debut in a 4-0 win at Southport on 29th April 1939. The following September, League football was suspended for the duration of World War Two.
Jackie played a handful of wartime games, but mostly guested for clubs in the Midlands, including Leicester City. When League football resumed in 1946-47, Jackie was a key member of the team that won the Division Three (North) title with a then-record points haul. His wing play on the right created many goals and he scored 14 himself. Jackie left Rovers at the end of the 1947-48 season and returned to the Midlands to play for Bedworth Town and later Rugby Town.
He died in 1985, aged 68. His Rovers record was 58 appearances and 21 goals.
