Born: 15 October 1913

Born in: Cape Town

Died: 1983

Other clubs: Arcadia (1931-34), Transvaal (1934-36); York City, Brighton, Belfast Distillery, Southport (wartime guest)

Signed from: Transvaal

Joined Liverpool: 07.12.1936

Debut: 27 Mar 1937

Final appearance: 11 Feb 1939

Contract until: 1945

Wartime: Apps / Goals: 10 / 0

League: Apps / Goals: 27 / 0

All Competitions: Apps / Goals: 30 / 0

Player 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. Alf 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. Kemp played in 13 of the first 14 League matches in 1937/38, but Riley had re-established himself in the side by the halfway stage of the season. It was somewhat ironic when Riley left Anfield at the end of the 1938/39 season, leaving his countryman free to make his mark, that war should deprive the South African of featuring regularly in the Football League, although he did continue to represent the club during the non-competitive war years.