2017
Allan Harris, 23/11/2017, aged 74

Chelsea (84), Coventry City (60), Q.P. R. (94), Plymouth Argyle (64), Cambridge United (64). Older brother of Ron (Chopper), Allan Harris began his League career with Chelsea, making 70 appearances before a November 1964 move to Second Division Coventry City. 18 months later he was back with the Blues, but stayed only a year before a transfer to QPR who had won the Third Division title in 1967, and were keen for Harris to help them tackle the Second. They ended up being promoted, with Harris a big part of their season. Harris ended his League playing career with Plymouth and Cambridge, for a total of 308 League appearances, and no goals! He then went into management as an assistant to Terry Venables, including a spell as assistant manager at Barcelona, winning La Liga and the European Cup.

Manuel Sanchis, 28/10/2017, aged 79

Defender Sanchis played 11 times for his country, including playing in all three group games in the 1966 World Cup tournament (scoring his only international goal in one of those games). He won a European Cup winners medal with Real Madrid in May 1966. Pictured here from the FKS Publishers World Cup Stars picture album. His son, also called Manuel (Manolo), also played for Real Madrid and Spain, and was Spanish footballer of the year in 1990.

Richard (Dick) Hewitt, 11/10/2017, aged 74

Bradford City (20), Barnsley (99), York City (91). Dick Hewitt was born in Moorthorpe, West Yorkshire, and signed professional with Second Division Huddersfield Town in May 1961, aged 18. He left the club three years later without making a League appearance, moving to Fourth Division Bradford City. He played for Bradford for one season, making 20 League appearances, before transferring to fellow Fourth Division Barnsley, helping them to promotion to the Third Division in 1968. After 99 League appearances with Barnsley over four seasons he moved back to the Fourth Division to play with York City. After leaving League football he played for Scarborough, helping the side win the FA Trophy at Wembley in 1973.

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

Les Mutrie, 03/10/2017, aged 66

Carlisle United (5), Hull City (115), Doncaster Rovers (6), Colchester United (14), Hartlepool United (18).

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

John Worsdale, 22/09/2017, aged 68

Stoke City (4), Lincoln City (67). John Worsdale came through the youth ranks at Stoke City in the mid 60s, making his League debut early in the First Division at Arsenal in the 1968/69 season, aged 19. A winger, he never quite made the top ranks at Stoke transferring, after a total of four League appearances with the Potters, to Lincoln City in the Fourth Division in May 1971. He made a total of 67 League appearances for Lincoln over three seasons.

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

Paul Wilson, 18/09/2017, aged 66

Celtic (129), Motherwell (21), Partick Thsitle (10). Paul Wilson was born in India to a Scottish father serving in the RAF. He signed with Jock Stein's Celtic as a 17 year old, and he made his senior debut three years later. He won a Scottish League winner's medal in 1973/74, followed by the Scottish Cup and League Cup Winners medals in 1974/75. In 1978, after 11 years and 129 Scottish League appearances with Celtic, Wilson transferred to Motherwell, then Partick Thistle. He was brought on in the 75th minute of a European Championship qualifier in 1975 for his one and only international cap.

Nicolae Lupescu, 06/09/2017, aged 76

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Lupescu. Appeared in the FKS Mexico 70 set of football stickers.

Elmer Acevedo, 30/08/2017, aged 68

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_Acevedo. Appeared in the FKS Mexico 70 set of football stickers.

Allan Boswell, 24/08/2017, aged 74

Walsall (66), Shrewsbury Town (222), Wolverhampton Wanderers (10), Bolton Wanderers (51), Port Vale (86). Alan Boswell joined Walsall as a 17 year old for the season that saw the team promoted to the Second Division for the first time in 60 years. He made 66 League appearances before a move to Shrewsbury Town in 1963. He stayed for five years in the Third Division before a move to join First Division Wolves in 1968. After one season with Wolves he moved to Bolton Wanderers (the source of this photo, the Daily Mirror 'My club' team photo), then finished his League career with Port Vale in the Third Division. A great keeper from the days when players would play all 42 or 46 League fixtures in a season.

Bill Green, 21/08/2017, aged 66

Hartlepool United (131), Carlisle United (119), West Ham United (35), Peterborough United (30), Chesterfield (160), Doncaster Rovers (11). Bill Green was born to be a captain. He played for Hartlepool, becoming club captain at the age of 20, then moved to Carlisle United as they ascended to play in the First Division in 1974/75 (their only season in the top flight). He transferred to West Ham at the start of the 1976/77 season, then two years later to Peterborough and later Chesterfield. A Chesterfield website says that Green 'was dominant in the air, a good organiser and did for opponents what Fred Dibnah did for factory chimneys'. Made almost 500 League appearances in his impressive career.

Jimmy White, 26/07/2017, aged 75

Bournemouth (176), Portsmouth (34), Gillingham (65), Cambridge United (30). Jimmy White made his League debut with Bournemouth in the Fourth Division at the end of the 1957/1958 season at the tender age of 15, but it was to be his only appearance with the club. Fourteen months later he transferred to Second Division Portsmouth where he stayed for four years, including a relegation and a promotion. In 1963 he moved back to the Fourth Division to join Gillingham, helping them to the Fourth Division title. In 1966 he transferred to Bournemouth, then in December 1970 joined Cambridge United in their first season in the Football League. He helped Cambridge win promotion in their third season, and in the 1972/73 and 1973/74 Rothmans is listed as their player/coach. A fine history in the game

Ken Wimshurst, 06/07/2017, aged 79

Gateshead (7), Southampton (152), Bristol City (149). After a slow start to his career, Ken Wimshurst found his feet at Southampton in the early 60s. After six years with the Saints he joined Bristol City, making 149 League appearances for a total of over 300 in his playing career. He remained at Bristol City as Assistant Coach, then later became Chief Coach, and later still ran the Southampton School of Excellence. Pictured here from the rare FKS 1967/68 sticker set, he joined Bristol City in October 1967, thereby missing out on an appearance in the 1968/69 collection. Remembered fondly by fans as a gentleman of the game.

John McCormick, 02/07/2017, aged 80

Third Lanark (112), Aberdeen (28), Crystal Palace (194). John McCormick began his career with Third Lanark, helping them to third place in the Scottish First Division in 1960/61. In 1964 he transferred to Aberdeen, and in May 1966 was snapped up by Bert Head at Second Division Crystal Palace for £1,500. He went on help the club win promotion to the First Division in 1968 and was awarded the club's first ever Player of the Year award in 1972 at the age of 36.

Tommy Ross, 19/05/2017, aged 70

Peterborough United (7), York City (61). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Ross_(footballer)

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

Eric Stevenson, 18/05/2017, aged 74

Hibernian (257), Ayr United (28). Eric Stevenson played for Hibs for 10 years, making 257 Scottish League appearances in the old Scottish First Division, including third place finishes in 1967/69 and 1969/70. He appeared in three A&BC Chewing Gum (Scottish) football cards, with the 1969/70 blue back card stating 'A fast tricky winger who makes rather than scores goals'. Eric Stevenson was inducted into the Hibernian F.C. Hall of Fame in 2012.

Peter Noble, 06/05/2017, aged 72

Newcastle United (25), Swindon Town (214), Burnley (243), Blackpool (97). 20 year old Peter Noble signed professional with Newcastle United in November 1964, in a season which saw Newcastle win the Second Division championship. He stayed with the club for three years, making 25 League appearances before a 1967/68 mid-season transfer to Third Division Swindon. In the 1968/69 season Swindon lived the dream as they went on to win the League Cup Final in March 1969 with a 3-1 win over Arsenal, and clinched a promotion to the Second Division at the end of the season. After five and a half years Noble moved to join Burnley as they were promoted from the Second Division to the First. Made club captain he is regarded as a Burnley Football Club legend.

Roy Gater, 01/05/2017, aged 76

Port Vale (5), Bournemouth (216), Crewe Alexandra (156). Roy Gater signed professional with Port Vale in 1960 and made three League appearances before a transfer in 1962 to Bournemouth. In seven seasons in the Third Division he made 216 League appearances for the Cherries. In the middle of the 1968/69 season he switched to Crewe where he made a further 156 League appearances. Once his League career was over he became a non-League player and manager. Pictured here from the 1971/72 Daily Mirror Crewe Alexandra My Club card.

Roberto Ferreiro, 20/04/2017, aged 81

Argentine defender who made 18 international appearances for his country between 1962 and 1966, including playing in all four games for Argentina at the 1966 World Cup Final tournament. Pictured here from the 1966 FKS World Cup stars album.

John Arnott, 31/03/2017, aged 84

West Ham United (6), Shrewsbury Town (30), Bournemouth (173), Gillingham (186). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Arnott_(footballer)

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

John Phillips, 31/03/2017, aged 65

Shrewsbury Town (51), Aston Villa (15), Chelsea (125), Crewe Alexandra (6), Brighton and Hove Albion (1), Charlton Athletic (2). John Phillips signed professional with Shrewsbury Town and made his League debut as a 17 year old. Within one year he was playing for Aston Villa, and 10 months after that he was signed by Chelsea to fill in for the injured Bonetti. He stayed at Chelsea for 9 years, making 125 League appearances, eventually cementing his place as the first choice keeper. He was awarded 4 international caps for Wales. Passed away at a very young age after a long illness. 

Paul Bowles, 28/03/2017, aged 59

Crewe Alexandra (178), Port Vale (98), Stockport County (70). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bowles_(footballer)

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

Ronnie Moran, 22/03/2017, aged 83

Liverpool (343). Local-lad Ronnie Moran began playing for Liverpool in 1949, signing professional terms in 1952. Following the Reds relegation in 1954 he became a regular full back, and was captain of the team that won back promotion in 1962. Two seasons later Liverpool were First Division champions for the sixth time in their history. He played his last ever game for Liverpool in May 1965 in the European Cup semi-final. After his playing career was over he remained at Liverpool as a mainstay of the coaching staff for another 30 years. 'Mr Liverpool', sadly now passed away.

Jim McAnearney, 14/03/2017, aged 81

Sheffield Wednesday (38), Plymouth Argyle (135), Watford (86), Bradford City (45). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McAnearney

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

Raymond Kopa, 03/03/2017, aged 85

Raymond Kopa was born in France in 1931 from Polish ancestry. He signed professional in 1949 and won the French League with Stade de Reims in 1953 and 1955, and played in the 1956 European Cup Final. In 1956 he transferred to Real Madrid where he helped to win the Spanish league in 1957 and 1958 and the European Cup in 1957, 1958 and 1959. He later returned to France where he won two more French titles. He was considered a star of the 1958 World Cup tournament, and represented his country 45 times. Considered one of the true greats of the game.

Tommy Gemmell, 02/03/2017, aged 73

Celtic (247), Nottingham Forest (39), Dundee (94). Tommy Gemmell joined Celtic in 1961 and is best remembered for scoring goals in the 1967 and 1970 European Cup Finals. He made 247 Scottish League appearances for Celtic before a December 1971 move, at the age of 28, to join Nottingham Forest, though this was not a success as Forest were relegated at the end of that season and Gemmell made 21 League appearances in the Second Division in 1972/73. At the end of the 1972/73 season he transferred back to Scotland to join Dundee. Gemmell made 18 appearances for the Scottish national team. One more of the 'Lisbon Lions', now passed on.

Alex Young, 27/02/2017, aged 80

Hearts (155), Everton (228), Stockport County (23). Alex Young made 194 League appearances with Hearts, and won the Scottish League championship in 1957/58, before a move to Everton in November 1960. Everton finished 5th, 4th, 1st, 3rd then 4th in the First Division over the next five years, and won the F.A. Cup in 1966.He left Everton in 1968 after 228 League appearances. Eight international caps for Scotland in a stellar career.

Roger Hynd, 18/02/2017, aged 75

Rangers (31), Crystal Palace (30), Birmingham City (170), Oxford United (5), Walsall (89). Scottish-born Hynd signed professional with Rangers aged 19 in 1961, and remained for eight years, though making only 31 League appearances. Amazingly, the centre-back was picked and played at centre-forward in the 1967 European Cup Winners' Cup Final. In July 1969, aged 27, he moved to join First Division Crystal Palace, where he made 30 appearances in the 1969/70 League season. In July 1970 he transferred to Second Division Birmingham City, helping them to promotion in 1972. He stayed with City until December 1975, racking up 170 League appearances. In all he made 294 appearances in the English Football League.

Piet Keizer, 10/02/2017, aged 73

One-club man, Keizer made 365 Dutch League appearances for Ajax, and 34 for his country. The FKS 1974 World Cup album notes 'Spent two years out of the game when he was 20 through illness. Clever left-winger who has captained Ajax. Still only aged 30. Useful marksman'. He made his international team debut in 1962, but was only used once during the 1974 World Cup Final tournament in a group game, and retired from playing in October 1974.

John Richardson, ??/01/2017, aged 71
Career summaryFootball card image

Derby County (118), Notts County (2). The FKS 1969/70 album states 'Comes from Worksop and was a Derby apprentice in July 1960 later becoming a fully fledged professional in 1962. Had to wait until the 1966-67 season before he was able to eastablish a regular place at full-back.

Dave Shipperley, 21/01/2017, aged 64

Charlton Athletic (153), Plymouth Argyle (1), Gillingham (144), Reading (19). Dave Shipperley was a tall centre-back who played for Charlton Athletic in the Second Division at a time when Charlton were struggling, and which saw them relegated in 1972. At the end of the 1973/74 season Shipperley was transferred to join Gillingham who had just been promoted from the Fourth to the Third Division. After a difficult start to the 1974/75 season Shipperley helped Gillingham to a 10th place finish, making 37 League appearances in the season. After four seasons with Gillingham he transferred back to the Second Division to rejoin Charlton. A total of 317 League appearances, passed away at the young age of 64.

Brian Whitehouse, 16/01/2017, aged 81

W.B.A. (37), Norwich City (41), Wrexham (45), Crystal Palace (82), Charlton Athletic (1), Orient (52). See  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Whitehouse

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website

Graham Taylor, 12/01/2017, aged 72

Grimsby Town (189), Lincoln City (150). A full-back who joined Grimsby Town, signing professional in 1962. In 1968 he transferred to Lincoln City. In a 10 year playing career he made 339 League appearances before retiring due to injury. He moved into management at Lincoln City, winning the Fourth Division title in 1975/76. In 1977 he was recruited by Elton John to manage Watford, winning the Fourth Division title in 1977/78, and gaining promotion to the Second Division the following season, and reaching the top flight in 1982. After 10 years with Watford Taylor moved to Aston Villa, and in 1990 was appointed England manager. By all accounts a good man, who will be deeply missed.

Paul Went, 05/01/2017, aged 67

Orient (95), Charlton (163), Fulham (58), Portsmouth (92), Cardiff City (72). Centre-half Paul Went made his League debut with Orient in the Third Division in 1965, aged 15. After 50 appearances he transferred to the Second Division with Charlton, narrowly missing out on promotion to the First in 1969, then fighting to avoid relegation for the next two seasons before succumbing in 1972. At the end of that season he transferred to Fulham, who had finished one place above them in the Second Division. In 1973 he transferred to ambitious Portsmouth, but the team didn't fire and after relegation in 1975/76 Went moved to Cardiff. He ended up back at Orient, becoming assistant manager and, for a short while, manager. 480 League appearances, most of them in the Second Division, for a well-remembered player. Pictured here from the 1971/72 Daily Mirror 'My Club' card with Charlton.

Graham Atkinson, 05/01/2017, aged 73
Career summaryFootball card image

Oxford United (356). Younger-brother of Ron, Graham Atkinson played his entire League career with Oxford United, amassing 356 League appearances. Scored Oxford United's first ever goal in the Football League in August 1962. Still holds the record for the most goals scored for United.

Ezio Pascutti, 04/01/2017, aged 79
Career summaryFootball card image

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezio_Pascutti