Dr Kenneth Robert John "Kenny" Deuchar (born 6 July 1980) is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing as a striker for St. Johnstone. In 2005, Deuchar equalled Jimmy Greaves's British record of six league hat-tricks in a single season.^[1] He is also a practicing medical doctor.^[2]

[edit] Career

Duechar was born in Stirling and began his part-time footballing career at Falkirk, but after suffering a string of injuries, including two broken legs, he left to join East Fife. He led East Fife to promotion, whilst also working as a full time doctor, but he had the desire to pursue a full-time football career.

He was offered a place at big spending Scottish Third Division club Gretna, and signed immediately. In his first season he led Gretna to the Second Division smashing records along the way. He shattered the record for most league goals in a season of 24 with 38 goals in only 30 games.^{[citation needed]} During a friendly against Threave Rovers in 2006 he managed to score eleven goals in an 18–0 thrashing.^[3] He has not completely left medicine behind, as he continued to work one day a week at a Scottish hospital while at Gretna^[4] and worked one day a week at Wishaw General Infirmary before his move to the U.S.^[5]

Jeff Stelling, host of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday programme, always makes reference to "The Good Doctor" having scored a goal whenever Deuchar's name appears on the vidiprinter.

During the 2006-07 season, he fell out of favour, but still managed to score 4 goals in 9 matches. On 1 December 2006, Gretna officially announced that Deuchar had requested a transfer.^[6]

On 31 January 2007, he joined Northampton Town on loan until the end of the season^[7] and on 24 February 2007, Deuchar scored his first goal for Northampton in their 3–0 victory over Rotherham, which was his first goal in English football.

On 30 August 2007, Deuchar joined St. Johnstone on emergency loan until 3 December 2007. During this three-month period he scored ten goals in fourteen games and helped the Saints to a Challenge Cup win, their first cup success in their history. On 3 December, he returned to Gretna and scored six goals in his eleven SPL games for the bottom club.

On 26 February 2008, Deuchar signed with Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake. His final game with Gretna saw him score 2 goals against Rangers, but Gretna lost 4 - 2.^[8] He made his debut for his new club as a 70th-minute substitute for Real Salt Lake in their 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire on 29 March 2008. He went on to score his first goal in a 3-1 defeat away at the hands of CD Chivas USA on the 5 April 2008. Deuchar's flick-on headers had also been essential to the team as they have created many chances and goals for Salt Lake's speedier forwards, most notably Robbie Findley.^{[citation needed]}

On 19 January 2009, Deuchar joined SPL side Hamilton Academical after negotiating his release from Real Salt Lake, on a short-term contract.

On 4 June 2009, Deuchar signed for SPL newcomers St. Johnstone, eighteen months after being on loan to the club^[9]

Deuchar is a company director in Town House Restaurants Ltd which owns and operates the Wheelhouse restaurant, located close to the Falkirk Wheel in Falkirk and the new Boathouse restaurant at Auchinstary basin, in Kilsyth. ^[10]

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kenny Deuchar career stats at Soccerbase