Profile

South African Dirk Kemp was on Liverpool's books as a goalkeeper at the same time as his fellow countryman, Arthur Riley.

But whereas Riley made over 300 Football League appearances for the club, Kemp had to settle for just 30 spread over four seasons, although the fourth of those, 1939-40, was suspended after just three matches due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Alfred Hobson started the 1936-37 season as first choice between the posts and although the experienced Riley took over from him towards the end of January 1937, it was Kemp who was selected for the last seven matches of that campaign.

Although Kemp played in 13 of the first 14 League matches in 1937-38, Riley had re-established himself as first-choice by the halfway stage of the season.

It was somewhat ironic therefore that as Riley left Anfield at the end of the 1938-39 season, leaving his countryman free to make the No.1 spot his own, that war should deprive the South African of ever playing League football for Liverpool again - though he did continue to represent the club during the non-competitive war years.

Other clubs:
Arcadia, Transvaal FC, York, Brighton, Southport (wartime guest)