Born in Brigg, Lincolnshire he played for Gainsborough Trinity, Sheffield United and Hull City.
[1] Making his United début aged only 17, Kitchen became a mainstay of the side, scoring regularly throughout his time with the Blades.
[3] Kitchen remained at United for the duration of World War I and into the resumption of league football in 1919.
He was transferred to Rotherham County for £650 in 1920 after a disagreement over his contract but failed to settle and returned to Bramall Lane within a matter of months after United agreed to repay the fee.
[1] Falling out of favour by this time Kitchen finally moved on to Hull City the following season for a much reduced fee of £250 from where he drifted through a number of clubs including two further spells back at Gainsborough.