He also made guest appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Manchester United.
[1] Two years later, in August 1949, Kirkman joined fellow Second Division club, Leicester City, for a fee of £8,500.
[1] Described as "a cool professional player", who "possessed a fastidious left foot",[1] he made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the 1950–51 season, playing at left-back in a 2–1 victory at Barnsley on 19 August 1950.
After only one further match, he was replaced by Ted Ballard, although Kirkman regained his place in January before losing out again to Jack Gregory.
[4] In the following season, Kirkman made only seven further appearances, with the teenaged Peter Sillett being the first-choice at left-back.