| 2012 |
| Player |
Career highlights |
Football card image |
Ladislav Kuna
01/02/2012
Aged 64 |
Czechoslovakian midfielder who made 47 international appearances for his
country. The FKS Mexico 70 album notes 'Lanky
ex-youth star of Spartak Trvana who has a precise manner in midfield and a
fine left foot. Came into prominence during the South American tour of 1966,
played in six qualifying games and has 19 full caps. Named Czechoslak
Footballer of the Year in 1969. Played in all three group games in the 1970
World Cup tournament, though Czechoslovakia were defeated in each. Was
Chairman of Spartak Trvana at the time of his death. |
 |
Cliff Portwood
10/01/2012
Aged 74 |
Port Vale
(61), Grimsby Town (92), Portsmouth (99). Winger who began with Manchester
Athletic, moving to First Division Preston North End as a 17 year old.
Stayed at Deepdale for four years without making a senior League appearance.
Moved to Third Division Port Vale in August 1959 where he enjoyed two
seasons before a move to Grimsby Town at the start of the 1961/62 season.
Was part of the team that finished second in the Third Division that year,
achieving promotion to the Second Division. Grimsby struggled in the Second
Division, with a 19th place finish in 1963 and a 21st place, and relegation
in 1964. At this time Portwood moved on to Portsmouth where he stayed for a
number of years. After his English career he moved to South Africa to play,
then to Australia where he settled for a few years before returning to
England. Was well known as a singer and entertainer during and after his
football career. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
| 2011 |
| Player |
Career highlights |
Football card image |
George Robb
25/12/2011
Aged 85 |
Tottenham
Hotspur (182). Joined Tottenham from Finchley F.C., first playing as an
amateur before signing as professional in June 1953. Remained with Spurs for
his whole League career before retiring due to injury in 1958. Made one
international appearance for England in 1953. |
 |
Johnny Williams
24/11/2011
Aged 76 |
Plymouth
Argyle (412), Bristol Rovers (69). Began his career with Second Division
Argyle in 1955, though the club were relegated at the end of that season.
Played in the Third Division (South) for two seasons and then in the first
ever season of the new Third Division, winning the title in 1959. Enjoyed
Second Division mostly mid-table finishes with Plymouth for much of his
career, with a couple of narrow scrapes with relegation. Left Plymouth in
December 1966 after 412 League appearances to play for Third Division
Bristol Rovers.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Jimmy Adamson
08/11/2011
Aged 82
|
Burnley
(426). Made his League debut for First Division Burnley in 1951 as a 21 year
old. Became a team regular as Burnley were established as a top-ten First
Division side through the 1950s. In 1960 Burnley won the First Division
championship, pipping Wolves by one point (Wolves had won the Championship
the previous two years). Captain Jimmy Adamson played in every League game
that season. He also captained Burnley in their 1962 F.A. Cup loss to
Tottenham Hotspur. Adamson made his final League appearance for Burnley, his
only club, in 1964, aged 34. Perhaps surprisingly, Jimmy Adamson was never
capped at international level.
Adamson remained at Burnley and was made manager in February 1970.
Unfortunately for Adamson and Burnley they were relegated at the end of the
1970/71 season, ending their run of 24 years in the top flight. Amazingly
Adamson's Burnley career had begun in the season they were promoted to the
First Division, 1947 (the same year they were beaten F.A. Cup finallists as
a Second Division side). Adamson stayed with Burnley, achieving promotion
back to the First Division in 1973.
|
 |
Florian Albert
31/10/2011
Aged 70 |
Hungarian
international striker who played his whole career with Ferencvaros between
1952 and 1974, scoring 256 goals in 351 appearances. He made his
international debut in 1959, and played in the 1962 and 1966 World Cup Final
tournaments. In the 1962 tournament he was awarded the Young Player of the
tournament. He played a total of 75 times for Hungary, scoring 31 goals.
Albert won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1967.
The 1965/66 Reddish Maid card notes 'First
coming into prominence during his Under-23 internationals, quick-raiding
Centre Forward Florian Albert's positional play creates many scoring
opportunities for his colleagues'. |
 |
John Parke
29/08/2011
Aged 74 |
Linfield,
Hibernian, Sunderland (85). Northern Ireland international Parke transferred
from Hibs to First Division Sunderland in November 1964. He made a total of
85 League appearances for Sunderland in a period where they never rose above
the bottom half of the First Division. See all of Parke's Sunderland
appearances at this
site. In early
1968 he moved to play in Belgium from where apparently, he retired. John
Parke won a total of 14 international caps.
John Parke (pictured) is featured in the first ever, very rare,1967/78,
FKS publishers sticker album. Since these
stickers had nothing but the player name on the back, and nothing printed in
the album, there are no biographical details available from stickers. To the
best of my knowledge this is the only football card or sticker that John
Parke appeared on, making it truly a rare sticker.
|
 |
Frank Munro
16/08/2011
Aged 63
|
Dundee United
(50), Aberdeen (43), Wolverhampton Wanderers (296), Celtic. Initially a
forward, Munro played for Dundee United and Aberdeen in the Scottish First
Division. He won a Scottish Cup Final Runners-Up medal in 1967. At the start
of the 1968/69 season Munro moved to play for Wolves, where over time he was
converted to a centre-back. In 1972 he won a UEFA Cup Runners-Up medal,
followed by a League Cup Winners medal in 1974. Munro made 9 full
international appearances for Scotland between 1971 and 1975. Munro was a
stalwart for Wolves through the late 60s and 70s. |
 |
Willie Fernie
01/07/2011
Aged 82 |
Celtic (219),
Middlesbrough (65), St. Mirren (22), Alloa Athletic (7). Joined Celtic in
1949 and went on to be part of the 1953/54 League and Cup double-winning
team. Fernie was part of the Scottish squad for the 1954 World Cup Finals,
held in Switzerland. He played in both Group games, with Scotland losing
both games and scoring 0 - 8. He won League Cup and Scottish F.A. Cup
winners medals in the mid-1950s, and represented his country again at the
1958 World Cup Final tournament in Sweden. He played in one of the group
games, making his 12th and last appearance for his country. In
December 1958 Willie Fernie joined Second Division Middlesbrough in the
English League. He stayed for two years before returning to Celtic in 1960.
Later in his playing career he moved on to St. Mirren and Alloa Athletic.
When his playing days were over he rejoined Celtic in 1967 as reserve team
coach under Jock Stein. He was also manager of Kilmarnock for four years in
the 1970s.
|
 |
Mike Doyle
27/06/2011
Aged 64 |
Manchester
City (448), Stoke City (115), Bolton Wanderers (40), Rochdale (24). Joined
Second Division Manchester City in 1962 as a youth, signing professional
terms in 1964. Doyle made his first team debut late in the 1964/65 season,
then was part of the Second Division Championship winning side of 1966.
Within two years the City side had gone on to win the First Division
Championship, just tipping their local rivals. The following year City
defeated Leicester City 1-0 to win the F.A. Cup. In March 1970 City won the
League Cup, with Doyle scoring a goal in the final. In April 1970 City
travelled to Austria where they defeated Górnik Zabrze to win the European
Cup Winners Cup Final. The City side of this period, which featured Doyle,
Corrigan, Book, Pardoe, Oakes, Bell, Lee, Summerbee perhaps should have gone
on to win more. He became club captain in 1975, and in 1976 Doyle captained
the side which won the League Cup, though success in the First Division
continued to elude them. After a long career with Manchester Doyle was
transferred to Second Division Stoke City in June 1978. In his first season
with the club he helped them regain promotion back to the First Division.
Mike Doyle made his England debut in March 1976 against Wales, going on to
make a total of 5 international appearances.
The 1968/69 FKS sticker notes: 'Local product
and a graduate of the City's youth team. Made his League debut at 18 just
over three years ago. Operates either as a mid-field schemer or in a more
positive role in attack. Quick, versatile'. The Top Sellers Football
72 card notes: 'Local-born Doyle is a creative
midfield player. Sylish in his play he scarcely wastes a pass and forges a
strong link with Bell'. The FKS Soccer 82 album notes:
'Defender. Very cool England international who
reads the game exceptionally well. Bargain buy from Manchester City in 1978
for £50,000. His experience was a major factor in Stoke's return to Division
One'. |
 |
Jan van Beveren
26/06/2011
Aged 63 |
Dutch
international goalkeeper who played for Emmen, Sparta Rotterdam and PSV
Eindhoven before moving to the US where he played in the NASL. After
retiring from playing van Beveren stayed in the US in coaching roles.
The FKS Argentina 1978 album notes 'Goalkeeper
who was first capped for Holland in November 1967 against USSR. Now plays
for PSV Eindhoven but was previously with Sparta Rotterdam. One of the most
experienced Dutch players in his position. Aged 34. Has 32 caps'.
There is an obvious inconsistency between van Beveren's age in the FKS album
and his recognised date of birth. van Beveren was included in both the 1974
and 1978 FKS World Cup albums, though he did not make an appearance at
either competition.
|
 |
Eddie Morrison
30/05/2011
Aged 63 |
Kilmarnock,
Morton. Signed for Kilmarnock in 1967, going on to make over 350 appearances
for the club. Played his last League game for Kilmarnock in 1976 before a
move to Morton. Morrison returned to Kilmarnock in 1985 as manager, and had
coaching roles with Morton. |
 |
Frank Upton
18/05/2011
Aged 76 |
Northampton
Town (17), Derby County (259), Chelsea (74), Notts County (34), Workington
(7). Central defender who began his League career with Northampton in the
Third Division South in 1953. At the end of the 1953/54 season he
transferred to Second Division Derby County, but experienced relegation at
the end of 1955, followed by promotion back from the Third Division North in
1957 (following a second place finish in 1956 when only one team was
promoted). Stayed in the Second Division with Derby until 1961 when he
transferred to First Division Chelsea, only to experience relegation in his
first season with the Blues. Once again promoted back again in his first
season, the enjoyed a 5th place First Division finish in 1964, followed by a
3rd place finish and a win in the League Cup in 1965 (Upton playing in the
second leg of the final at Filbert Street), making Chelsea the first
London-based club to win this competition. At the end of this season Upton
returned to Second Division Derby, followed a year later by a transfer to
Fourth Division Notts County. Following his playing career Frank Upton had
many coaching and managerial appointments in England and overseas. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Willie O'Neill
28/04/2011
Aged 70 |
Celtic,
Carlisle United (15). Made his Celtic debut in 1959 in the Scottish Cup
Final (replay). Appeared for Celtic 49 times in the League over the 10 year
period before he was transferred to English Second Division Carlisle United
in May 1969. Was a member of the "Lisbon Lions" squad of 1966/67, though did
not appear in the Final. Made 15 League appearances for Carlisle before
retiring. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Allan Brown
??/04/2011
Aged 84 |
East Fife
(62), Blackpool (157), Luton Town (151), Portsmouth (69), Wigan Athletic
(67). Began with East Fife in 1944, gaining his first of 13 Scottish
international caps in 1950. Transferred to First Division Blackpool in
December 1950, helping them to a 3rd place finish in that season. Brown
remained at Blackpool for six years, though he missed the 1951 and 1953 F.A.
Cup Finals through injury. Travelled to Switzerland to represent his country
in the 1954 World Cup Finals tournament, playing in both the 1-0 loss to
Austria and the 7-0 loss to Uruguay. Brown featured in Blackpool's 2nd place
finish in the First Division in 1956, their best ever finish, followed by
4th place in 1957. In February 1957 Brown transferred to Luton Town,
remaining in the First Division. Though Luton struggled to emulate
Blackpool's League success they did reach the F.A. Cup Final in 1959, giving
Brown his first Final appearance, though they went down 2-1 to Nottingham
Forest. Brown was relegated with Luton in 1960, and played in the Second
Division until transferred to struggling Portsmouth in March 1961. His
efforts came to nothing as Portsmouth were relegated, meaning that Brown
played the 1961/62 season in the Third Division, eventually winning a
Championship medal as Portsmouth were promoted back to the Second Division.
Allan Browne moved into player-management with non-League Wigan in 1963
enjoying success in the Cheshire League, then moved to his old club Luton
(in the Fourth Division), helping them win the Fourth Division title in
1968. This was followed by managerial spells with Torquay, Bury, Nottingham
Forest and Blackpool. |
 |
Jim Blair
06/04/2011
Aged 64 |
St. Mirren
(134), Hibernian (18), Norwich City (6). Striker who began his career in St.
Mirren's Second Division title winning season in 1967/68. He played two more
seasons for St. Mirren in the First Division before a transfer to Hibs, but
returned to St. Mirren within a year. Relegated in 1971 he played on in the
Second Division until a transfer south to Norwich City in September 1972. He
made two appearances as a substitute early in his time with Norwich, but
struggled for a first team place. He made two full appearances later in the
season which saw Norwich avoid relegation (just). He made just one
appearance in 1973/74, at home to Manchester City on December 29th, in a
season which saw Norwich firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and
subsequently relegated. Blair's contract was terminated soon afterwards. He
moved to Belgium where he finished his playing career and lived out the
remainder of his days. |
 |
Trevor Storton
23/03/2011
Aged 61
Cancer
|
Tranmere
Rovers (118), Liverpool (5), Chester City (396). Defender who played for
Tranmere from 1967 until 1972. Joined First Division Liverpool in August
1972. Played only a handful of League games in the season in which Liverpool
won the Championship. Was an unused substitute in the May 1973 UEFA Cup
Final win over Borussia Moenchengladbach. Moved on to Chester City in July
1974 where he became a mainstay of the side. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Tony Kellow
20/02/2011
Aged 58 |
Exeter City
(332), Blackpool (57), Plymouth Argyle (10), Swansea City (1), Newport
County (20). Centre-forward who joined newly-promoted Third Division side
Exeter at the start of the 1976/77 season. Stayed with Exeter for two years
before a November 1978 transfer to newly-relegated Blackpool who were keen
for a quick return to the upper Divisions. Despite his goalscoring Blackpool
struggled in the Third Division. Kellow returned to Exeter in March 1980
staying for four years before some quick moves. He returned to Exeter for
his third spell, ending his career there in January 1988.
The 1978/79 Sun Soccercard notes 'Prolific
goalscorer signed from Western League side Falmouth Town in July 1976.
Scored 19 League goals in 44 appearances in his first season in 1976/77 and
in the 1977-78 campaign was top scorer for the Devon club with 14 League
goals in 46 League appearances. Altogether he had netted 52 League goals in
114 appearances before the 1978/79 season started'. |
 |
Neil Young
03/02/2011
Aged 66
Cancer |
Manchester
City (334), Preston North End (68), Rochdale (13). Local-born lad who
debuted for City in 1961 in the First Division. The following season City
were relegated, with Young then playing three
seasons in the Second Division. Promoted back to the First Division in 1966,
Young was part of the Joe Mercer squad that won the First Division
championship in 1968, just pipping local rivals United. The following year
City won the F.A. Cup 1-0, Young scoring the goal against Leicester City.
Young also scored in the 1970 European Cup Winner's Cup final, City winning
another trophy. In January 1972 Young left City for Second Division Preston.
He stayed for 2½ seasons, leaving when Preston were relegated at the end of
the 1973/74 season. He moved to Rochdale, who had been relegated that same
season from the Third to the Fourth Division, where he stayed for one
season.
The 1968/69 FKS sticker notes 'Tall
clever, midfield player and a junior discovery who made his initial
appearance at 17 in November 1961. Has appeared in over 250 League games for
the club turning out in every forward berth. Was top scorer in the last
promotion season'.
The Top Sellers Football 72 card notes 'Tall,
long striding Young scored the goal which won City the F.A. Cup in 1969.
Difficult to shake off the ball he usually operates on the left-wing but can
play in any forward position. Has made more than 300 appearances for City'. |
 |
Nat Lofthouse
15/01/2011
Aged 85 |
Bolton
Wanderers (452). Bolton-born Lofthouse joined Wanderers as a 14 year old
amateur in 1939, making his League debut after the Second World War. An
old-style centre-forward he made his England debut in 1950, the first of 33
international games in which he scored an incredible 30 goals. He was
Footballer of the Year in England in 1953, and played in the 1953 and 1958
F.A. Cup Finals. After his playing career ended he took on a number of roles
at Bolton, including Club President. A one-club man, and a great player in
the history of English football. |
 |
Coen Moulijn
04/01/2011
Aged 73 |
Top class Feyenoord player who
played in the 1970 European Cup win over Celtic. Made 38 international
appearances for the Netherlands between 1956 and 1969.
Moulijn was featured in the 1965/66
Reddish Maid set which noted 'Outstanding
amongst the players to come from the Netherlands, Coen Moulijn, Fevjenoords
speedy Outside-Left, scored against England in the Wembley Centenary game'.
The 1970/71 FKS album sticker notes 'Tricky
little left-winger who can also scheme. Has played well over 500 games for
his club and is now over 33. Has been fully honoured by his country on 38
occasions and won the first such honour in April 1956 vs. Belgium'.
|
 |
| 2010 |
| Player |
Career highlights |
Football card image |
Avi Cohen
28/12/2010
Aged 54
Motorcycle accident |
Maccabi Tel Aviv, Liverpool (16 +
2), Rangers (7). Avraham (Avi) Cohen was a defender, and member of the
Israeli national team, who joined Liverpool in July 1979. This was the time
at the end of Liverpool's incredible decade where they were Champions in
1973, 1976, 1977, 1979 and again in Avi's first season 1980, and runners-up
in 1974, 1975 and 1978. Cohen made his League debut for Liverpool on
September 15, 1979 at Elland Road against Leeds United, a 1-1 draw. His
second appearance didn't come until the penultimate League game of the
season when he scored in an important 4-1 win over Aston Villa at Anfield.
The following season Avi Cohen made 13 League appearances, mostly at left
back, though Liverpool struggled to a 5th place League finish. Cohen's
Liverpool contract was cancelled in November 1981 as the Reds used only 16
players in a season where they again finished as Champions. Avi Cohen made a
total of 51 international appearances for Israel, with his final appearance
in 1988.
The FKS Soccer 82 album notes 'Has yet to make
a full impression at Anfield, where the fight for first team inclusion is so
competitive'. |
 |
Ralph
Coates
17/12/2010
Aged 64
Stroke |
Burnley (216), Tottenham Hotspur
(188), Orient (76). Ralph Coates joined First Division Burnley in 1961,
signing as a professional in 1963. In the late 50s and early 60s
Burnley were a top club, with a run of top-10 finishes in the top Division,
plus some memorable runs in the F.A. Cup, including semi-finalists in 1961
(losing to Tottenham in the semi-final) and finalists in 1962 (losing again to Tottenham). Coates enjoyed many years at Burnley before the club were
relegated at the end of the 1970/71 season. In May 1971 Coates was
transferred to, you guessed it, Tottenham Hotspur for a £200,000 fee. He
remained at Tottenham for over 7 years, though some believe that he never
enjoyed the same form as he displayed at Burnley. Ralph Coates was selected
as part of the initial England squad for the Mexico 70 World Cup, but didn't
make the final squad. He had made his international debut against Northern
Ireland just before the tournament, and made three further international
appearances in 1971.
The FKS 1968/69 sticker notes 'Fair-haired,
fast, nippy raider who can play on the wing or in the middle. Comes from
Hetton-le-Hole and made his Burnley bow against Sheffield United in December
1964. A professional since May 1963, he has Under-23 honours'.
The Top Sellers Football '74 card notes 'Spurs
paid £200,000 to Burnley for Coates in 1970, but he has never settled into
his top form in London. However, he repaid part of his transfer money with
the League Cup winner against Norwich last March'. |
 |
Jim
Cruickshank
18/11/2010
Aged 69 |
Queen's Park (30), Hearts (394),
Dumbarton (3). Jim Cruickshank began his League career at Queen's Park,
turning professional in 1960, the same year he transferred to Hearts. After
an injury to the regular keeper, Gordon Marshall, Cruickshank appeared in
the 1961 Scottish League Cup Final replay, unfortunately not coming away
with a winners medal. He made his international debut in 1964 in Hanover
against West Germany, but it was his only appearance until 1970 when he
gained four consecutive international caps. He then had another long gap
before making his sixth and final appearance for Scotland in December 1975
against Rumania. He conceded a total of 3 goals in his 6 games for Scotland.
Cruickshank was Hearts goalie for 17 years.
The 1969/70 A&BC Scottish blue back card notes: "...Cruickshank
was signed from Queen's Park in 1960. Previously with Drumchapel Amateurs,
he has also played with the Under 23's and the Scottish League".
|
 |
Ron
Cockerill
04/11/2010
Aged 75 |
Huddersfield Town (40), Grimsby
Town (294). Ron Cockerill signed professional for Huddersfield Town in 1952,
the same season that the Town were relegated from Division One, ending a 31
year stay in the top flight. The following season Huddersfield were promoted
back, this time for only a three year stay, though in 1954 they finished
third in the First Division. Cockerill played for Huddersfield at
centre-half, making 40 League appearances in his eight year stay. In 1958/59
he was transferred to fellow Second Division side Grimsby Town, only to see
them relegated in his first season with the club. Cockerill, now playing at
wing-half, helped to gain promotion at the end of the 1961/62 season,
followed by relegation again in 1964. Cockerill ended his long career with
Grimsby at the end of the 1967/68 season as they were relegated to the
Fourth Division (for the first time). Ron Cockerill is fondly remembered by
Grimsby fans, as a great header of the ball, penalty-taker and gentleman.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
John Benson
30/10/2010
Aged 67 |
Manchester City (44), Torquay
United (240), Bournemouth (150), Exeter City (4), Norwich City (30).
Scottish born John Benson signed professional with First Division Manchester
City in July 1961 and played for three seasons, including relegation in
1963. In June 1964 he signed for Fourth Division Torquay where, in his
second season, they won promotion to the Third Division. In 1968 they only
just missed out on promotion to the Second Division. In the 1970/71 season
Benson was signed by Fourth Division Bournemouth for £12,000, where, playing
in the same team as Ted McDougall and Phil Boyer, Bournemouth were promoted.
In December 1973 Benson was signed by his old Bournemouth manager John Bond
to help Norwich City, then struggling at the foot of the First Division.
Bond also brought in MacDougall, Boyer and Machin from his Bournemouth days,
but to no avail with Norwich finishing the season bottom of the Division.
Half-way through the following season Benson was back at Bournemouth as
player-manager, though he couldn't help them avoid relegation back to the
Fourth Division. In subsequent years John Benson had several management
spells, and senior manager roles with a number of clubs.
|
Image not currently available |
Ronnie
Clayton
29/10/2010
Aged 76 |
Blackburn Rovers (581). Ronnie
Clayton played for Blackburn Rovers in the Second Division through the early
1950s. They were consistently in the top six of the Division over this
period, but unable to gain promotion until a second place finish in 1958.
During that period Ronnie Clayton had made his England debut, against
Northern Ireland at Wembley on November 2, 1955. He retained his England
spot for most of the next 5 years, eventually losing his place to Bobby
Robson. In 1958 Clayton travelled to Sweden for the World Cup tournament. He
did not start in any of the group games, but was preferred to Eddie Clamp in
the play-off game (a 1-0 loss to the USSR). Clayton played in the 1960 F.A.
Cup Final where his team lost 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rothman's
Football League Player Records notes that 'Those
who saw him play will always remember Ronnie Clayton for grand sportsmanship
allied to great ability'.
The 1966/67 A&BC Chewing Gum card notes 'Blackburn
Rovers right half. One of Blackburn's most experienced players. Ron's
driving wing-half play has brought him 35 England caps and made him a
favourite at Ewood Park. Not usually on the scoring list, but occasionally
comes up with the forwards to lay on the goals for other players. Height 5'
10½" Weight 11st 7lbs.'
The 1970/71 Tonibell Team of All Time card (pictured) notes 'Took
over from Billy Wright as captain of England in 1959. Made his Football
League debut for Blackburn Rovers in 1950/51 when aged just 16. Rovers was
his only League club and he won a total of 35 England caps'. |
 |
Mel Hopkins
18/10/2010
Aged 75 |
Tottenham Hotspur (219), Brighton
and Hove Albion (58), Bradford Park Avenue (30). Mel Hopkins was a Welsh
left-back who played for Spurs from 1954 until 1963, including in the famous
League and F.A. Cup double season of 1960/61. He played international
football for his country, including in the 1958 World Cup final series in
Sweden. He played in all three group games, and the quarter-final game which
saw Wales go down 1-0 to a Pele goal for Brazil (on Pele's international
debut). After a spell with Brighton in the Fourth Division he moved out of
the English game, returning in 1969 to play for Bradford Park Avenue,
shortly before their demise from the Football League.
|
 |
Malcolm
Allison
15/10/2010
Aged 83 |
Charlton Athletic (2), West Ham
United (238). Centre-half Malcolm Allison joined Charlton Athletic as a
17-year old during the Second World War. He played only two League games for
the club before a 1951 transfer to West Ham United. He played for the
Hammers for six years before a bout of tuberculosis ended up with his having
a lung removed, precipitating an end to his playing days. He left football
for a few years, then returned in the early 1960s as a manager. He
established a reputation as an astute manager, and was brought to Manchester
City in 1965 as assistant to Joe Mercer. Under their charge City enjoyed
great success in the late 60s. He left City in 1973 and moved on to a
tumultuous period with Crystal Palace. In the following 20 years he managed
in excess of 15 other clubs. He was flamboyant and controversial - one of
the larger than life figures in the game.
|
Image not currently available |
Eddie
Baily
14/10/2010
Aged 85 |
Tottenham Hotspur (296), Port Vale
(26), Nottingham Forest (68), Leyton Orient (29). Inside-forward Baily
joined Spurs as a 17 year old and stayed for 10 years, winning the Second
and First Division titles in consecutive seasons. Based on this success
Baily was included in the 1950 England World Cup squad, travelling to
Brazil, and playing in the final group stage game, a 1-0 loss to Spain. He
later played for Port Vale, Nottingham Forest and Orient, and once his
playing career was over he joined Bill Nicholson as assistant manager at
Spurs through the 1960s.
|
 |
Ian Buxton
01/10/2010
Aged 72 |
Derby County (145), Luton Town
(47), Notts County (5), Port Vale (18). Ian Buxton was one of the those
talented sportsmen who signed professional for Derby County in March 1959 at
the same time as he was playing cricket for Derbyshire. He continued on in
both sports for the next 12 years, going on to be Captain of Derbyshire from
1970 to 1972. He made 142 League appearances for the Rams, scoring 42 League
goals as centre-forward in a period which saw Derby County remain as a
mediocre Second Division side (the year after Buxton left they began their
amazing run to the top of the First Division under Brian Clough and Peter
Taylor). In September 1967 Buxton transferred to Luton Town, and enjoyed a
season which saw them top the Fourth Division. The following season in the
Third Division Luton narrowly missed out on promotion again, achieving the
feat the following year. Buxton transferred to Fourth Division Notts County
in July 1969, then moved on to Port Vale five months later where he finished
his League career. In November 1972 Ian Buxton was awarded a testimonial
match, Luton Town vs. Derby County.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Bobby Smith
18/09/2010
Aged 77 |
Chelsea (74), Tottenham Hotspur (271),
Brighton and Hove Albion (31). Centre-forward who signed professional at
Chelsea in 1950, one of the first products of the new Chelsea youth team.
Apparently lost his way at Chelsea after a promising start. Once touted as
the 'next great discovery' of English football Smith had become overweight
and sluggish. Transferred across London to Tottenham in 1955 Smith found his
form again and became a Spurs legend, mostly playing alongside Jimmy
Greaves. He played in the double-winning seasons of 1960/61 and scored in
the winning F.A. Cup Finals of 1961 and 1962. In May 1963 Smith also played
in the European Cup Winners Final which saw Tottenham defeat Atletico Madrid
5-1 in Rotterdam. In all he scored 176 goals in his 271 League appearances
for the Spurs.
Bobby Smith made his England debut in October 1960, playing against Northern
Ireland in Belfast. He scored in a 5-2 victory, the scored two against
Luxembourg 11 days later, then two more against Spain the following week.
Despite this brilliant start to his international career his appearances in
1961 and 1962 were limited. His last international appearance was in the
first ever floodlight match at Wembley in November 1963, again against
Northern Ireland, and he again scored. Smith ended up with 13 goals from his
15 international appearances. |
 |
Jose Augusto Torres
03/09/2010
Aged 71 |
Portuguese centre-forward who played for
Benfica from 1959 until 1971, moving on to more success at Vitoria Setubal.
He made 33 international appearances for Portugal, including playing in the
1966 World Cup tournament in England. He played in all of Portugal's games
in the tournament, which finished with Portugal in 3rd place.
The Sun Soccercard notes 'Tall central striker
who won many admirers in the 1966 World Cup Finals played in England. He has
already played at Wembley in 1963 when he was on the losing side for Benfica
in the European Cup Final won by Milan 2-1. Then in 1965 he played in Milan
when Benfica lost 1-0 in the Final won by Inter. Noted for his great skill
in the air'. |
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Jackie Sinclair
02/09/2010
Aged 67 |
Dunfermline Athletic (113), Leicester City
(103), Newcastle United (43), Sheffield Wednesday (101), Chesterfield (10),
Stenhousemuir (18). Scottish winger who signed for Leicester City in May
1965. Under Jock Stein, Sinclair had done very well at Dunfermline,
including an appearance in the April 1965 Scottish Cup Final and a number of
appearances in Fairs Cup matches, prompting the First Division Foxes to sign him
for £25,000. Playing alongside Derek Dougan at Leicester he was popular and effective, and it was therefore
perhaps surprising that after only two and a half seasons Leicester cashed
in with a big-money transfer to Newcastle. In his book Newcastle United: The 1968-69 Fairs Cup Story ,
Jim Jeffrey notes that Sinclair at times 'struggled to win over a critical
Gallowgate support'. He stayed at Newcastle for less than two years before
moving to Sheffield Wednesday where the club was relegated after a bottom
place finish in 1970. He remained for three seasons in the second Division
before returning to play in Scotland.
The 1968/69 A&BC Chewing Gum yellow back card notes 'Newcastle's
most recent capture, he joined them from Leicester City for £70,000 in
December 1967. Formerly with Dunfermline, he moved to Leicester City in May
1965, and was their leading scorer in the 1966/67 season with 22 goals. A
fast tricky winger, he has won Under 23 and full international honours for
Scotland'. |
 |
Brian Clark
10/08/2010
Aged 67 |
Bristol City (195), Huddersfield Town (32),
Cardiff City (182), Bournemouth (30), Millwall (71), Cardiff City (21),
Newport County (80). Striker Brian Clark began his professional career in
the Third Division, making his debut in 1961. In 1965 Bristol City won
promotion to the Second Division, where they enjoyed an excellent 5th place
finish in 1966. In October 1966 Clark transferred to Huddersfield who had
finished one place above the Robins in the previous season. Clark didn't
stay long, moving to Cardiff City in February 1968. Cardiff enjoyed good
seasons with Brian Clark up front alongside John Toshack, finishing 5th in
1969 and 7th in 1970 in the Second Division. The following season they
finished 3rd, narrowly missing out on promotion to the top flight. In
October 1972 29 year old Clark was sold to Third Division Bournemouth, where
he stayed less than 12 months before a move back to the Second Division to
play for Milwall. At the end of the 1974/75 season Clark rejoined Cardiff
after they had been relegated from the Second Division. In 1975/76 he helped
them win immediate promotion back to the Second Division. Clark ended his
League career with three seasons with Newport County. In all he made over
600 League appearances, scoring over 200 League goals.
The 1971/72 A&BC Chewing Gum purple back card notes 'One
of the leaders of the Cardiff attack, and a prolific goalscorer throughout
his career, Clark formed a dangerous double-spearhead to the forward line
with John Toshack before the latter was transferred to Liverpool during the
1970/71 season'. |
 |
Bobby Moss
01/08/2010
Aged 58
Pancreatic cancer |
Orient (5), Colchester United (17).
Inside-forward who first played for Second Division Orient in November 1970,
scoring on debut having just turned 18. His appearances were limited that
season, and non existent the next before he was transferred to Fourth
Division Colchester United in May 1972. He made a bright start to the
1972/73 season, appearing in most of the early season games, but Colchester
found themselves at the foot of the League and Moss' appearances dwindled.
His final League game was as a sub at Newport County on 6 January 1973. His
contract was cancelled in February 1973, leaving him with 16 League
appearance and one substitution for Colchester. He went on to be a prolific
player and scorer in non-League football in a career lasting until the late
1980s.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Shaun Mawer
17/10/2010
Aged 50 |
Grimsby Town (60). Full-back who made his
debut for the Mariners at Watford on 6 September 1977 in the fourth game of
the season. He then went on to play in 41 of the remaining 42 games of the
season with Grimsby finishing 6th in the Fourth Division. The following
season saw him play in 15 of the first 16 games before losing his place.
Grimsby went on to finish 2nd and gain promotion. In the 1979/80 season
Mawer made three appearances as a substitute, the last on 1 March 1980 in a
season where Grimsby topped the Third Division table. Mawer's Grimsby
contract was ended in April 1981 due to the seriousness of an on-going knee
injury. Later in life he suffered from serious kidney problems.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Ken Barnes
13/07/2010
Aged 81 |
Manchester City (258), Wrexham (132).
Manchester City wing-half in the 1950s, including appearances in the 1955
and 1956 F.A. Cup Finals. Became City captain in 1957. In 1961 moved to
Fourth Division Wrexham as player-manager, gaining promotion at the end of
his first season in charge, 1961/62. After a promising 9th place finish in
the Third Division in 1963 Wrexham were back in the bottom Division after
relegation in 1963/64. Barnes stayed in or close to the game for the
remainder of his life, in management, coaching and scouting roles.
|
 |
Roberto Rosato
20/06/2010
Aged 66 |
Italian defender who played for the national
team at the 1966 and 1970 World Cup tournaments. In 1966 he played in the
first group-stage game, a 2-0 win over Chile, but was not included in the
next two games which saw Italy lose both and crash out. In 1970 he came on
as a 37th minute substitute in the first group game, and remained in the
team for the next two games which saw Italy go through without conceding a
goal. He then played in the knockout games and the 4-1 World Cup Final loss
to Brazil. Apparently he swapped shirts with Pele after the game!
Made a total of 37 international appearances.
|
 |
Tommy Jones
05/06/2010
Aged 80 |
Everton (383). Liverpool-born Everton
centre-half, who eventually became club captain. Began with Everton from
school, making his first-team debut in the First Division in 1950, but
relegated at the end of the 1950/51 season, Everton having finished bottom.
Promoted back again three years later in 1954. Everton struggled in the
First Division in the 1950s, never finishing higher than 11th. Jones,
however, was dependable and a favourite in the centre of defence.
|
Image not currently available |
Mick Prendergast
29/04/2010
Aged 59 |
Sheffield Wednesday (183), Barnsley (20),
Halifax (4). Joined Wednesday as an apprentice in 1966. Relegated with the
Owls at the end of the 1969/70 season then was club's top scorer the
following season in Division Two. Stayed with Wednesday as they were
relegated to Division Three in 1974/75. Injury eventually ended his career. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Ian Lawther
??/04/2010
Aged 70 |
Sunderland (75), Blackburn Rovers (59),
Scunthorpe United (60), Brentford (139), Halifax Town (101), Stockport
County (164). Forward who made almost 600 League appearances, plus four
international caps for Northern Ireland over a 20 year playing career. A
prolific goal scorer, though did not score for Northern Ireland. Played out
the last few years of his League career with Stockport County, mostly at or
near the bottom of Division 4. Towards the end of his career he shifted to
wing-half (midfield), supporting the forward line which, by that time at
Stockport, included Wyn Davies. Played his last League game at Crewe on 3
April 1976, suffering a 3-1 defeat.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Sammy Baird
21/04/2010
Aged 79 |
Clyde (90), Preston North End (15), Rangers
(122), Hibernian (39), Third Lanark (24), Stirling Albion (12). Half-back
who won three Scottish League titles with Rangers in the 1950s. Began his
international career in 1956. Was a member of the 1958 World Cup squad in
Sweden, on the subs bench for the first and second games against Yugoslavia
(1-1 draw) and Paraguay (3-2 defeat). Was in the team for the last group
stage match, a 2-1 loss to France, with Baird scoring in the 58th minute. He
ended up with seven full international caps. Appointed manager of struggling
Stirling Albion at the end of his playing career he stayed for four seasons. |
 |
Alexandru Neagu
17/04/2010
Aged 61
|
Romanian striker who played in the 1970
World Cup in Mexico. Came on as 73rd minute substitute in the 1-0 loss to
England. Played and scored in the 2-1 win over Czechoslovakia. Played in the
3-2 loss to Brazil. Played all of his career with Rapid Bucharest. Amassed
international 17 caps in his playing career. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website |
Zoltán Varga
09/04/2010
Aged 65 |
Aberdeen (26). Hungarian midfielder who
played initially for Ferencvaros, including international caps for Hungary
from 1964 until 1968. Moved to Germany and played for Hertha Berlin but was
found guilty of
taking bribes and moved to Scotland where he played a single season with
Aberdeen. Later moved into management, mainly in Hungary.
|
 |
Bob Curtis
19/03/2010
Aged 60
Motor neurone disease |
Charlton Athletic (337), Mansfield Town
(73). Defender who signed for Second Division Charlton in 1967. Narrowly
missed promotion in 1968/69, then narrowly missed relegation in the
following two seasons, before dropping to the Third Division in 1972. Won
promotion back to the Second Division in 1974/75. Transferred to Second
Division Mansfield Town in February 1978, though they were relegated that
season. Scored a number of goals in his career, including through penalties. |
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website. |
Hugh Robertson
12/03/2010
Aged 70/71 |
Dundee (223), Dunfermline Athletic (172),
Arbroath (40). Winger who won the Scottish League Championship in 1962 with
Dundee. Made a single full international appearance for Scotland in 1961. |
 |
Jack Connor
09/03/2010
Aged 75 |
Huddersfield Town (85), Bristol City (355).
Centre-half who signed for Huddersfield in 1952, making his first-team debut
in the First Division in 1954. Stayed with Huddersfield through their
relegation in 1956, playing in the Second Division with Bill Shankly as his
manager until his transfer to newly-relegated Bristol City in the Third
Division in October 1960. Helped the Robins improve, leading to promotion
back to the Second Division at the end of the 1964/65 season. Connor played
out the remainder of his League career in the Second Division.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website. |
Adam Blacklaw
28/02/2010
Aged 72 |
Burnley (318),
Blackburn Rovers (96), Blackpool (1). Burnley keeper who joined the club as
an apprentice in 1954, making his first team debut in the First Division in
1956. Burnley at this time were a 'top 10 side', finishing 7th in 1956/57,
6th the following season, 7th the following, and then First Division
Champions in 1960. With Blacklaw in goal Burnley finished 4th in 1961, 2nd
in 1962 (losing the F.A. Cup Final the same season), and 3rd in 1963. They
continued this excellent run through to 1966, after which they found things
a bit tougher (culminating in relegation in 1971). At the end of the 1966/67
season Blacklaw left Burnley to join Blackburn Rovers in the Second
Division, where he stayed for three seasons. Blacklaw was capped three times
for Scotland in the 1963 to 1965 period.
The 1966/67 A&BC Chewing Gum card notes 'A
very safe handler of the ball, Adam has been Burnley's first choice
goalkeeper since 1960, when he came into the side in place of Colin
McDonald. Capped three times for Scotland, he was a member of the Burnley
side beaten 3-1 by Tottenham in the 1962 Cup Final. Height 5' 11½". Weight
14st. 7½lbs.' |
 |
Gerhardt (Gerry)
Neef
23/02/2010
Aged 63
Cancer |
Rangers (33). German keeper who moved to
Rangers in 1968. Played a number of games in the 1969/70 season, but
struggled for a first team place after that. Was part of the squad for
European Cup Winners' Cup Final win in Barcelona 1972, though did not come
off the bench. Returned to Germany in 1973.
The 1969/70 My Favourite Soccer Stars card, presented free with Scorcher,
notes 'German-born goalie who was unknown in
Scottish football before last season when he joined Rangers and made his
first team debut. This season he has established himself as a very capable
'keeper. He was a policeman in Dortmund before he took up football'. |
 |
Bobby Smith
22/02/2010
Aged 56
Cancer |
Hibernian (167), Leicester City (181),
Peterborough United (5), Dunfermline Athletic (66), Partick Thistle (30),
Berwick Rangers (26). Joined Second Division Leicester from Hibs in 1978 for
£80,000, with the Foxes finishing the season in
17th position. The following year they were Champions, promoted back to the
First Division. Unfortunately they lasted only one season. Leicester were
promoted again at the end of the 1982/83 season with a third place finish.
Smith played for Leicester City for 8 years, often wearing the captain's
armband.
The FKS Soccer 81 album notes 'Midfielder
signed from Scottish club Hibernian in December 1978 after missing only one
game for Hibs in the 1977-78 season. Born Scotland. Height 5.7½. Weight
11.9.'. |
 |
Bobby Cox
20/02/2010
Aged 76 |
Dundee (327). Local boy who joined Dundee in
1955 and played for 14 seasons, including winning the 1962 Scottish League
title. Cox was Dundee captain and played alongside youngsters Ian Ure and
Alan Gilzean. Appeared in losing Scottish Cup Final team in 1964. One of
those special one-team captains who fans will always remember. |
 |
Alan Gordon
18/02/2010
Aged 65
Cancer |
Hearts (126), Dundee United (77), Hibernian
(84), Dundee (36). Striker whose second ever appearance for Hearts was in a
losing Scottish League Cup final team. Eventually won the League Cup in 1972
with Hibs. Played for four major clubs with 324 appearances over 15 years.
The A&BC Chewing Gum, 1972/73 Scottish orange/red back cards notes 'Bought
from Dundee United late on last season and had the distinction of leading
Hibs to the Final of the Scottish Cup but unfortunately the Edinburgh club
sustained a 6-1 defeat by Celtic at Hampden Park. He scored 7 goals for Hibs
which added to the 9 he had netted for Dundee United gave him a grand total
of 16'. Ironically Hibernian went on to defeat Celtic 2-1 in December
1972 to win the Scottish League Cup. |
 |
Petar Borota
13/02/2010
Aged 56
|
Chelsea (107). Yugoslavian(Serbian)-born
goalkeeper who joined Chelsea from FK Partizan for £75,000 late in the
1978/79 season. Chelsea had been struggling, relegated from the First
Division in 1974/75, promoted back in 1977, but then finishing 16th in 1978.
Chelsea still had Peter Bonetti and John Phillips as their keepers, but
Borota went straight into the first team for a 0-0 draw home to Liverpool
(eventual champions that year). Borota stayed between the sticks for the
next 11 games, Chelsea winning none of them. He was dropped after a 5-2
drubbing at Highbury. Chelsea finished last and were relegated. The
following season Borota made 41 from 42 League appearances, though Chelsea
went nowhere. In 1981/82 Borota was ever present in the League, though
Chelsea again finished 12th. Borota played his last game for Chelsea on
November 7th, 1981, apparently falling out with the manager. He was
transferred to Portimonense (Portugal) but never regained the form or
popularity he had enjoyed at Chelsea.
|
Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website. |
Brian Godfrey
11/02/2010
Aged 69
Leukaemia |
Everton (1), Scunthorpe United (77), Preston
North End (127), Aston Villa (143), Bristol Rovers (81), Newport County
(118). Began with First Division Everton but made only one appearance before
transferring to Second Division Scunthorpe in 1960. Scunthorpe finished 9th
in 1961, 4th in 1962, and 9th in 1963. During the 1963/64 season Godfrey
moved on to Preston North End in the same Division, with whom he finished
3rd (while Scunthorpe were relegated in 22nd position). At the end of the
1963/64 season Preston were in the F.A. Cup Final, losing 3-2 to West Ham
United, though Godfrey did not make the team. Godfrey stayed with Preston
for four seasons before a switch to Second Division Aston Villa for the
1967/68 season. Villa were struggling, finishing 16th in 1968, 18th in 1969
and relegated to the Third Division (alongside Preston) in 1970. At the end
of the 1970/71 season Godfrey transferred to Third Division Bristol Rovers.
He went on to play for Newport County, then Bath City, becoming
player-manager and enjoying a number of spells of club management. |
 |
Orlando Pecanha de
Carvalho
10/02/2010
Aged 74
Heart attack |
Brazil (30 international caps). Brazilian
defender who played for Vasco de Gama, Boca Juniors and Santos in the period
1955 to 1967. Played in each game of the 1958 World Cup tournament,
culminating in the Final 5-2 win over Sweden. Did not appear in the 1962
World Cup, but was back again for Brazil's disappointing run in the 1966
tournament. |
 |
Gil Merrick
03/02/2010
Aged 88 |
Birmingham City (485). Birmingham City
keeper who made over 700 appearances for the Blues, mostly in the Second
Division but including stints in the top flight in 1948/49 (17th), 1949/50
(22nd) and from 1955/56 onwards until his retirement from playing. Was
England goalkeeper 23 times, making his debut in November 1951 and his final
international appearance in the 1954 World Cup against Uruguay. Was made
Birmingham City manager in 1960 after his retirement and enjoyed four
seasons, though the Blues struggled towards the bottom of Division One.
In 1963 he was manager when the Blues won the League Cup against Aston
Villa, the only major trophy they have won since they were formed as Small
Heath Alliance in 1875. After he left Birmingham in 1964 he managed Bromsgrove Rovers and Atherstone
Town.
The Sun Soccercard notes "Goalkeeper who
followed City as a boy and signed professional for his only club before the
war".
The Rothmans Football League Player Records book notes "Very
cool and composed when on duty, was very unfortunate to have been England's
goalie during the 1953 6-3 thrashing handed out by the marvellous Magyars,
Hungary. Standing 6' 1", mustachioed and elegant, Gil really looked the
part, the City goal remained for long spells intact as positional sense
saved the day again and again. Twice helped Birmingham to promotion, he was
one of the most loyal servants and will always be remembered by them".
|
 |
Alex Parker
07/01/2010
Aged 74 |
Falkirk (121), Everton (198), Southport (76). Classy full-back
who joined Falkirk in 1952 and played in their 1957 Scottish F.A. Cup Final
victory. Capped by Scotland for the first time on May 16 1955 against Portugal
at Hampden Park. Scottish Player of the Year, 1957. Was part of Scotland's 1958
World Cup squad, though only played one game in the tournament. Parker was
transferred to Everton for a £18,000 fee in June 1958. Enjoyed a number of
seasons with Everton in the First Division, including a Champions Medal in 1963
during a very successful time for the Toffees. Joined Fourth Division Southport
in 1965, aged 30, where he stayed for three seasons before moving to Northern
Ireland as a player-manager. Returned to Southport as manager in 1970/71, though
only for one season. |
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