At the match today we were talking to Marian, Ken's wife. We have been friends to them both for years.
It saddens me greatly to tell you all that, after a fall which affected Ken's spine, the great man has been rendered partly paralysed and is not very well.
I am sure that all Poolies will wish Ken and Marian all the very best in coping with what lies ahead and that your prayers and best wishes will be offered to and for them.
Thank you.

I'm very sorry to hear this Derwent. Hopefully Ken will be able to fight this and recover his health. One of my earliest Poolie memories involves Ken Simpkins. A group of lads from my class had a visit to the ground as part of an English project, and the first thing we saw on arriving inside was Ken doing laps of the pitch in what was essentially a full length plastic bag over his kit, trying I suppose to sweat off some extra weight. It may have been around the time we decided to try him out as a striker instead of a goalie.

Very sorry to hear that - all good wishes to both of them.

Ken Simpkins is a one-off in Pools lore. At Pools, although he wasn't the first choice and certainly wasn't a Buffon or Kane (he played in both positions!), he was nontheless always motivated and boxed well above his weight when given the opportunity.
A Welshman comes to Pools and becomes a bona fide Poolie. What is there not to like?
I really, really hope things turn out for the best, Ken.

agreed. i used to like ken.