 He was one of the few members of the Cup Final side never to win an international cap but became the first West Ham player to play over 200 league games for the club.Even at this age, Kay's health was never good and on a tour of Spain in 1926 he fell ill and he remained in Spain for three weeks before he was fit enough to return to England.As a result, he retired from active playing, although he did turn out twice for Stockport County in 1927.