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Players Index Page Last Updated
10 February 2023
 
 

Kenny Davenport

Bolton Wanderers FC

 2 appearances, 0-2 goals

P 2 W 1 D 1 L 0 F 10: A 2
75% successful
1885-90

captain: none
minutes played: 180

Timeline
  James Kenyon Davenport
Birth Sunday, 23 March 1862 at 4 Partridge Street, Bolton, Lancashire.
  registered in Bolton January-March 1862
 

According to the 1871 census, James K. is the youngest of four children to James and Catherine (née Kenyon). They live in 4 Partridge Street, Great Bolton, in Bolton. His father is a joiner.
 

(His mother died through 1875)
According to the 1881 census, James K. is one of two children living with their widowed father. The other child is his older sister Mary, now married to Samuel Ashall with two children, all living at 59 Mason Street in Great Bolton. James is a mechanic.
Marriage to Emma Eaves, on 13 June 1881 at the Emmanuel Church in Bolton
  registered in Bolton April-June 1881
Children Kenny and Emma Davenport had two children together. James (b.19 October 1881) and Amy Aspen (b.1887).
 

According to the 1891 census, James K. is now married to Emma with two children, James and Amy. He is a brewer's labourer and they all live at 10 Washington Street in Great Bolton.
(His father died on 2 February 1895)
 

According to the 1901 census, James K. is still married and still has only two children and still a beer seller.  He now lives back at Partridge Street in Bolton. Now at number 16.
Death Sunday morning, 27 September 1908 at The Jolly Drummer Inn, 16 Partridge Street, Bolton, Lancashire
aged 46 years 188 days registered in Bolton July-September 1908
"Davenport―On the 27th, at 16 Partridge Street, James Kenyon Davenport, aged 46 years. Funeral Heaton Cemetery, Wednesday." - Bolton Evening News, Monday, 28 September 1908

Obituary
"DEATH OF AN OLD WANDERER
"One of the most popular players who ever wore Bolton Wanderers' colours in the old Pikes-lane days has joined the great majority in James Kenyon Davenport, who passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning at his residence, the Jolly Drummer Inn, 16. Partridge-st., where he has been tenant for the last 16 years, His illness had extended over 30 weeks, for the last six of which he had been confined to bed, suffering from a complication of diseases, and despite the care of Dr. Unsworth, Deane-rd, he passed away as stated in his 47th year. He leaves a wife and son and daughter who are married.
'Kenny' Davenport was in every sense of the word a Wanderer of a bygone day. He made a name in local junior football circles with Gilnow Rangers, a club of factory lads, who surprised many an older and more experienced side. The came his turn with the Wanderers, and he quickly established his reputation as a fleet and hard working forward. Davenport twice played for England in International game, against Wales at Burnley in 1885, and against Ireland at Blackburn in 1890.
"Amongst the older school of the Wanderers' patrons there still lingers a feeling of pride over the doughty deeds of Davenport, who was born in the very street where he died. He was a typical Lancashire lad, perhaps roughly spun, but he had a kindly heart and a genial happy-go-lucky disposition which contributed to his popularity. As a footballer he was a versatile player whose heart was in his work whilst wearing the white jersey, for he could always be depended upon to give of his best no matter where he was asked to play. He could play the inside game to perfection, and, considering that he was a mere strappling, he showed a dogged purpose and a persistency which is seldom equalled in present-day football. How often he delighted the habitues of Pikes-lane as he dashed headlong down the wing, with head and shoulders down, and how he used to withstand the efforts of more vigorous opponents who tried to shake him off, Kenny could indeed hold his own in a rough and tumble contest, just as his ability was bound to assert itself when he was playing the ball and nothing but the ball." - Bolton Evening News, Monday, 28 September 1908
Funeral

Wednesday 30 September 1908
Heaton Cemetery, Bolton
"AN INTERESTING PERSONALITY
"Many a silent tribute of respect to the memory of the late James Kenyon Davenport, a famous member of the Bolton Wanderers' football team in the early eighties, was paid to-day, when his mortal remains were laid to rest in a family grave in Heaton Cemetery. His death on Sunday morning was not altogether unexpected, for he had been ill for upward of six months, and no hope was entertained of his recovery. The passing away in the prime of his life of a personality whose ability as a player made his name a household word in football circles more than twenty years ago, and for whom fond remembrance will long linger with those who saw him play in the zenith of his career, has caused many a pang of sincere regret, and the public interest as the mournful cortege left the Jolly Drummer Inn in Partridge-st., where for 16 years, he has officiated as mine host, as it wended its way along Deane-rd., via Mayor-st, to the burial ground, was as marked as it was amongst the large assembly at the graveside. The body was encased in a coffin of polished oak, with brass mountings, and bore the inscription "James Kenyon Davenport, died on Sunday, September 27th, aged 46 years." The grave had been draped in purple, and the Rev. E. S. Richardson performed the last sad rites." - Bolton Evening News, Wednesday, 30 September 1908
Probate "DAVENPORT James Kenyon of 16 Partridge-street Bolton Lancashire beer seller died 27 September 1908 Probate Manchester 24 July to Emma Davenport widow.
 Effects £108." [2019 equivalent: £13,090].
 

Following the death of James, and according to the 1911 census, Emma, a widower, is living with her brother, John Thomas Eves at 16 Partridge Street, and she now sells the beer.
Their son James, is now married to Ellen, with three daughters, and they live at 29 Partridge Street. James snr is a machine fitter.
Amy married James Edwin Stallard in 1905, and in 1911, they were living at 18 Lamberts Cottages in Swansea with two children.

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career
Club(s) Began his career with Gilnow Rangers FC in Bolton, before joining the towns senior side, Bolton Wanderers FC in 1881 as a twenty year old. Joined Southport Central FC during the 1892-93 season, before returning to Wanderers as an amateur. He played his last match with Bolton Wednesday FC.
League History
56 appearances, 25 goals		 Bolton Wanderers FC 1888-92 56 appearances, 25 goals
debut: 8 September 1888 Bolton Wanderers FC 3 Derby County FC 6.
last: 1 October 1892 Bolton Wanderers FC 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 3.
Club honours Lancashire Cup winners 1885-86; Bolton Charity Cup winners 1885-86; Derby Charity Cup winners 1885-86;
Football League third place 1891-92 (0ᵃ).
Individual honours Lancashire FA (1883-85, 6ᵃ).
Distinctions Almost certainly, Kenny Davenport is credited with scoring the first ever Football League goal. On 8 September 1888, when the Football League played its first matches, Davenport had scored within two minutes.
Height/Weight not known

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & ENFA.

England Career
Player number One of three who became the 120th players (121) to appear for England.
Position(s) Inside/outside-right
First match No. 24, 14 March 1885, England 1 Wales 1, a British Championship match at Leamington Street, Wagtail, Blackburn, aged 22 years 356 days;
Last match
5 years 1 day		 No. 38, 15 March 1890, Ireland 1 England 9, a British Championship match at Ulster Cricket Ground, Ballynafeigh Park, Belfast, aged 27 years 357 days; 0, 1, or 2 goals?
Major tournaments British Championship 1884-85, 1889-90;
Team honours British Championship shared 1889-90;
Individual honours The Players (two appearances 1ᵍ, January-December 1886)
The North (reserve, January 1886)
Distinctions The first Bolton Wanderers FC player to represent England.

Beyond England
A fitter by trade. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.84.


The Numbers
parties Apps comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
4 2 2 180 0 to 2 0 to 180 min 0 to 2 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
2 1 1 0 10 2 +8 0 0 5 1 75 +1
Both of his matches were played in the British Championship competition

Venue Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 1 0 1 0 1 1 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0
Away 1 1 0 0 9 1 +8 0 0 9.00 1.00 100.0 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1884-85 1 0 1 0 1 1 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0
BC 1886-87 0 0 0 0 0 0 =0 0 0 0.00 0.00 00.0 =0
BC 1889-90 1 1 0 0 9 1 +8 0 0 9.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC All 2 1 1 0 10 2 +8 0 0 5.00 1.00 75.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 2 1 1 0 10 2 +8 0 0 5.00 1.00 75.0 +1
2 1 1 0 10 2 +8 0 0 5 1 75 +1

Match History

 Club: Bolton Wanderers F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) 0-2ᵍ F.A. Committee - one full appearance (90 min)x

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 22
1 24 14 March 1885 - England 1 Wales 1
Leamington Street, Blackburn		 BC HD crossbar [0-0] ir
 

one of three who became the 120th player (121) to appear for England
the first player from Bolton Wanderers FC to represent England

Age 23 trial  
one appearance - The Players vs. The Gentlemen, 16 January 1886.
reserve - The South vs. The North, 30 January 1886;
Age 24    
one appearance - The Players vs. The Gentlemen, December 1886;

29 5 February 1887 - England 7 Ireland 0, Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Sheffield BC HW reserve
30 26 February 1887 - England 4 Wales 0, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington BC HW reserve
 

  F.A. International Select Committee - one full appearance (90 min) 0-2ᵍx

Age 27
2 38 15 March 1890 - Ireland 1 England 9
Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast		 BC AW ? or
According to some newspaper match reports, Davenport didn't score any of the goals against Ireland.
 


     

 
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