2016
Peter Brabrook, 10/12/2016, aged 79
Career summaryFootball card image

Chelsea (251), West Ham United (167), Orient (72). Chelsea and West Ham star winger who was capped three times for England. Signed professional with Chelsea in March 1955 and played a part in the Blues' 1954/55 First Division title. Went to Sweden for the 1958 World Cup finals tournament and made his debut against the USSR. Chelsea were relegated at the end of the 1961/62 season and in October 1962 Brabrook moved back to the First Division with West Ham. Played alongside Moore, Hurst and Peters in a Hammers side that won the 1964 F.A. Cup and the 1965 European Cup Winners Cup (though he did not play in the Final). Made a total of 490 League appearances in a playing career over 17 years.

Tommy McCulloch, 10/12/2016, aged 82
Career summaryFootball card image

Dumbarton (1), Clyde (378), Hamilton Academical (12). Long-term servant in goals for Clyde. Won the 1958 Scottish Cup in his first season with the club. Relegated from the Scottish First Division in 1961, but won the Second Division title the following year. Relegated again in 1963, but promoted back again the following year. Clyde finished 3rd in the First Division in 1967. The A&BC Chewing Gum, 1971/72 purple back (Scottish) card notes 'Longest serving member of the Glasgow club's playing staff. One of the finest goalkeepers they have ever had. A sprightly veteran'.

Brian Bulless, 07/12/2016, aged 83
Career summaryFootball card image

Hull City (326). One-club Brian Bulless signed professional with Hull City from their juniors in October 1950. Hull played in the Second Division in the early 50s until relegation to the Third Division (North) in 1956. When the new Third Division was formed in 1958/59 Hull were one of the first teams promoted out of it, but were then relegated again the following season. Bulless stayed with Hull until injury forced him to retire in 1963 after 327 League appearances.

Norman Oakley, 29/11/2016, aged 77
Career summaryFootball card image

Hartlepool United (182), Swindon Town (21), Grimsby Town (15)

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

David Provan, 26/11/2016, aged 75
Career summaryFootball card image

Rangers (171), Crystal Palace (1), Plymouth Argyle (129), St. Mirren (13). David Provan, a product of the Rangers youth system, made his Scottish League debut in 1958. He played for Rangers for 12 years, winning the Scottish League and F.A. Cup a number of times, and appearing in the 1967 European Cup Winners' Cup Final. After 171 League appearances with Rangers he moved to England to join Crystal Palace in June 1970, aged 29, but made only one appearance in a nine month stay before joining Third Division Plymouth Argyle. He was Plymouth's Player of the Year in 1972, and stayed with Argyle for five years before returning to Scotland to end his playing career with St. Mirren. Made a total of 5 international appearances for Scotland in the early 60s.

Paul Futcher, 24/11/2016, aged 60
Career summaryFootball card image

Chester City (20), Luton Town (131), Manchester City (37), Oldham Athletic (98), Derby County (35), Barnsley (230), Halifax Town (15), Grimsby Town (132). Chester-born Paul joined his local team in 1973, and in 1974 moved to Luton Town for £100,000. In 1978 he moved to Manchester City for £350,000 to replace Tommy Booth. Over the next 22 years he played for, or player-managed, nine more clubs, ending his playing career with 763 League games. Paul Futcher played his career as a centre-back, while his twin brother Ron played 633 League games as a centre-forward. Paul passed away earlier this week at the young age of 60, from cancer.

Len Allchurch, 16/11/2016, aged 83
Career summaryFootball card image

Swansea Town (233), Arsenal (60), Cardiff City (79). Swansea-born Allchurch signed professional with his local team and made his debut aged 17 in 1950. He played for Swansea for 10 years in the Second Division before a late 1960/61 switch to Sheffield United, helping them to promotion to the First Division. In his first season in the top flight he helped the Blades to a 5th position and stayed for over 4 years before moving, aged 31, to the Fourth Division in 1965 to join Stockport County. In 1967 Stockport were Fourth Division champions. In 1969 Allchurch rejoined Swansea, who by then had dropped to the Fourth Division. A total of 604 League appearances, plus 11 international caps for Wales. Len's older brother Ivor, another brilliant footballer, died in 1997.

Ray Brady, 15/11/2016, aged 79
Career summaryFootball card image

Millwall (165), Q.P.R. (88). Irish footballer signed by Millwall in 1957, going on to join QPR in 1963. Won six international caps for the Republic of Ireland.

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

Bobby Campbell, 15/11/2016, aged 60
Career summaryFootball card image

Aston Villa (10), Halifax Town (37), Huddersfield Town (38), Sheffield United (37), Bradford City (274), Derby County (11), Wigan Athletic (69).

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

Ian Cowan, 08/11/2016, aged 71
Career summaryFootball card image

Falkirk, Partick Thistle, St. Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Southend United (3), Albion Rovers. Cowan began his career with Falkirk in 1959, before playing for Partick Thistle, St Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic. At the end of the 1969/70 season he transferred to the English Football League to join Fourth Division Southend United, though he only made 3 League appearances in that season. He returned to the Scottish League, via Belgium, with Albion Rovers in 1972. A 13 year career in the top Leagues, with 137 League appearances.

Ray Mabbutt, 02/11/2016, aged 80
Career summaryFootball card image

Bristol Rovers (395), Newport County (46). Signed professional with Bristol Rovers in 1956. The 1967/68 Barratt & Co. football card states 'A one-club man during his professional career of over 10 years, versatile Ray joined Rovers from amateur side Oxford City and has played for them at full-back, half-back and in several forward positions. One of the most consistent performers in the Third Division, tough-tackling Mabbutt missed only a single first-team appearance in Season 1966-67 when Rovers made a bold bid for promotion which was only thwarted in the final game. Ended his League career at Newport County after 395 League appearances with Rovers. Father of Gary and Kevin, both League footballers.

Jean-Marie Trappeniers, 02/11/2016, aged 81
Career summaryFootball card image

Belgium goalkeeper at the 1970 World Cup, featured in the Panini and FKS sticker albums of the period. The FKS album notes 'Fair haired Anderlecht goalkeeper who made his initial appearance for Belgium in 1964 and has now been capped 10 times. Is 27, missed only one League match last season and played in the World Cup preliminaries'.

Brian Hill, 27/10/2016, aged 75
Career summaryFootball card image

Coventry City (246), Bristol City (7), Torquay United (49). Brian Hill began as an apprentice and became Coventry’s youngest ever debutant and goalscorer at 16 years 273 days in the final Division Three South match of the 1957/58 season (from http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/…/youngest-ever-coventry-c…). He was with the Sky Blues in their Third Division Championship win in 1963, and Second Division Championship in 1967. After 13 years with Coventry and 244 League appearances he went on loan to Bristol City and was then transferred to Torquay United. He was featured in the 1967/68 and 1969/70 FKS sticker albums.

Carlos Alberto Torres, 25/10/2016, aged 72
Career summaryFootball card image

Carlos Alberto made over 700 appearances in South and North American football, played over 53 times for Brazil, and captained the side in winning the 1970 World Cup. You can recall his World Cup Final goal here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZkR5Wb2KQs. One of the greatest players of all time.

Roy Jennings, 21/10/2016, aged 84
Career summaryFootball card image

Brighton and Hove Albion (276). Roy Jennings played for Swindon Town and Southampton before signing professional terms with Brighton and Hove Albion in May 1952. He played for Brighton for 12 years, initially in the Third Division (South), but then in the Second Division after promotion in 1958 (back in the tough days when you had to win the Third Divisions to get promoted). In 1962 Brighton were relegated, and after 276 League appearances Jennings was given a free transfer to Crawley Town where he made a further 176 appearances. A firm favourite at Brighton.

Gary Sprake, 18/10/2016, aged 71
Career summaryFootball card image

Leeds United (381), Birmingham City (16). Sprake began with Leeds United as an apprentice, making his League debut in the Second Division as a 17 year old. Leeds were promoted to the First Division in 1964 and Sprake became a regular in the strong side which finished 2nd in the League and runner-up in the F.A. Cup in 1965. In the following seasons Leeds finished 2nd, 4th, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd and 1st in an incredible team run, while also winning the 1972 F.A. Cup (though David Harvey had begun to replace Sprake in the side by then). Gary Sprake made 381 League appearances for Leeds (followed by 16 for Birmingham City before injury terminated his career), and 37 for the Welsh national side. Sometimes remembered only for his gaffes, this was a great goalkeeper.

George Peebles, 16/10/2016, aged 80
Career summaryFootball card image

Dunfermline Athletic (299), Stirling Albion (94). In August 1955 Dunfermline Athletic paid £100 to sign 19 year old George Peebles as a professional. After 413 appearances with Dunfermline, including winning the Scottish Cup in 1961, he was signed by Stirling Albion in 1966. He made over 100 appearances for Albion before retiring from playing in 1971 and going into coaching and then management until 1988. He is a member of the Dunfermline Athletic Hall of Fame, and a legend of the club from their great achievements of the 1960s.

Gerry Gow, 10/10/2016, aged 64
Career summaryFootball card image

Bristol City (375), Manchester City (26), Rotherham United (58), Burnley (9). Glasgow-born Gerry Gow played his first League match for Bristol City in 1970. In the early 70s City were an improving Second Division side who ended their 65 year absence from the top flight with a second place finish in 1975/76. After 18th, 17th and 13th position finishes in the First Division Bristol City were relegated in 1979/80, though Gow remained in the First Division with a transfer to Manchester City. He had appeared 375 times in the League for the Robins, and appeared in both legs of the 1981 F.A. Cup Final for Manchester City, though moved on to Rotherham United in the 1981/82 season. Passed away from cancer at the age of only 64.

Peter Denton, 07/10/2016, aged 70
Career summaryFootball card image

Coventry City (10), Luton Town (4).

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

David Herd, 01/10/2016, aged 82
Career summaryFootball card image

Stockport County (15), Arsenal (166), Manchester United (202), Stoke City (44). David Herd's father Alex played for Manchester City (257 League appearances) then Stockport County (111 League appearances). His son, David, was born in Scotland at the time his father was playing in Manchester. The son made his League debut for Stockport County in 1951, the same year his father ceased playing for them. David went on to play for Arsenal (166 appearances), Manchester United (202), then Stoke City (44). He won League and F. A. Cup honours with United, and made five appearances for the Scottish national team. The FKS 1968/69 album noted him as a 'Scottish striker with speed and fine scoring ability, recently injury-hit'.

Graham Hawkins, 28/09/2016, aged 70
Career summaryFootball card image

Wolverhampton Wanderers (34), Preston North End (245), Blackburn Rovers (109), Port Vale (62). Hawkins signed professional with Wolves as a 17 year old, going on to make 34 League appearances for the club in the First and Second Divisions. In the middle of the 1967/68 season he moved to Second Division Preston North End, where he established himself as a regular and was appointed team captain. PNE were relegated to the Third Division in 1970, but won the Third Division title in 1971. At the end of the 1973/74 season Preston were again relegated, and Hawkins moved to join Third Division Blackburn Rovers. He ended his playing career with 450 League appearances, moving in to management with Wolves, including a season in the First Division in 1983/84. He is one of those rare players to feature in the scarce 1967/68 FKS stickers (but not the near-identical 1968/69 version), and also featured in the 1971/72 IPC My Favourite Soccer Stars (Valiant).

Mel Charles, 24/09/2016, aged 81
Career summaryFootball card image

Swansea Town (233), Arsenal (60), Cardiff City (79). Swansea-born Charles, younger brother of John, turned professional with Swansea in 1952. He spent seven years in Division Two, making 233 League appearances before a move to the First Division with Arsenal in 1959. Troubled by injury he made 60 League appearances for the Gunners before returning to Wales to play for Cardiff City in 1962. After 79 League appearances with Cardiff he played for various Welsh clubs, finally retiring from playing in 1972 (aged 37). He was first capped for Wales in 1955, and played in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, going on to play 31 times for his country. His autobiography is called 'In the Shadow of a Giant', a reference to his brother John's standing in the game. RIP Mel Charles, a player who gave a lot to the game, didn't make much money from it, but had a long and distinguished career.

Alan Cousin, 20/09/2016, aged 78
Career summaryFootball card image

Dundee (288), Hibernian (84), Falkirk (14).

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

Denis Atkins, 13/09/2016, aged 77
Career summaryFootball card image

Huddersfield Town (194), Bradford City (108).

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

Matt Gray, 13/09/2016, aged 80
Career summaryFootball card image

Stirling Albion (1), Third Lanark (166), Manchester City (91). Matt Gray was born, and died 80 years later, in Renfrew. He joined Third Lanark as they enjoyed a good run of form in the Scottish First Division, and was rewarded in March 1963 with a transfer to First Division Manchester City for £30,001 (apparently to eclipse the £30,000 transfer fee paid for his teammate Dave Hilley a few months before to set a new Scottish transfer record). City were relegated soon after his arrival so he played in the old Second Division until they won the Division title in 1965/66. In 1967 he was released by City after 91 League appearances to play out his career in South Africa.

Dave Pacey, 07/09/2016, aged 79
Career summaryFootball card image

Luton Town (246). Luton-born Dave Pacey signed professional with his local club at the age of 21, and made his League debut on Christmas Day 1957 (a practice which finished in England in 1959). He soon found himself playing in front of 100,000 fans at Wembley in the 1959 F.A. Cup Final. Nottingham Forest soon went 2-0 up but one of their players was taken off with a broken leg (in the time before substitutes were allowed), and Pacey scored in the 66th minute. Luton were unable to score again, going down 2-1. The following season Luton were relegated from the First Division, then from the Second in 1962/63, and from the Third in 1964/65, meaning that Pacey enjoyed football at the top and later the lower ends of the Football League. After eight years and 246 League appearances for Luton Dave Pacey moved on to Kettering Town.

Dave Durie, 30/08/2016, aged 85
Career summaryFootball card image

Blackpool (301), Chester City (89).

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

Reg Matthewson, 29/08/2016, aged 77
Career summaryFootball card image

Sheffield United (149), Fulham (158), Chester (87). Reg Matthewson signed professional with Sheffield United as an 18 year old in 1958. He made his debut in the 1961/62 season in the First Division, going on to make 149 League appearances for the Blades over 10 years. In the 1967/68 season he was featured in the first ever FKS Wonderful World of Soccer Stars album, and was transferred from Sheffield United to Fulham, though both of those teams were relegated at the end of that season and Matthewson appeared in neither the First Division nor a football card or sticker again. He finished his career as captain of Chester City, enjoying much success, and retired from playing at the age of 36.

Ronnie Cope, 27/08/2016, aged 81
Career summaryFootball card image

Manchester United (93), Luton Town (28). Centre-half Ronnie Cope joined Manchester United as an amateur, signing professional in 1951. He played for England Schoolboys, and made his League debut in 1956 at the age of 21. He became a regular after the Munich tragedy, and left the club in 1961 after 10 years service and 93 League appearances. Cope transferred to Second Division Luton Town, staying two years before moving to non-League football. He is pictured here from the 1961/62 A&BC Chewing Gum English 'plain backs', card 12. If you want to see his Red Devils record on an amazing website of Manchester United player stats, visit http://www.mufcinfo.com/…/a-z_player_archi…/cope_ronald.html.

Russell Coughlin, 03/08/2016, aged 56
Career summaryFootball card image

Blackburn Rovers (24), Carlisle United (130), Plymouth Argyle (131)Blackpool (101), Shrewsbury Town (5), Swansea City (101), Exeter City (68), Torquay United (25).

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

Neil Wilkinson, 02/08/2016, aged 61
Career summaryFootball card image

Blackburn Rovers (30), Port Vale (7), Crewe Alexandra (75).

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

John Hope, 18/07/2016, aged 67
Career summaryFootball card image

Darlington (14), Newcastle United (1), Sheffield United (63), Hartlepool United (23). Goalkeeper Hope began as an apprentice with Darlington in the old Fourth Division and after 14 League games was picked up by First Division Newcastle United for £8,000. In his book "Newcastle United - the 1968-69 Fairs Cup story" Jim Jeffrey recalls that 'so keen were the club to secure the signature of Hope that United director Stan Seymour and chief scout Temple Lisle missed the 5-1 thrashing of Setubal to watch the keeper perform in a reserve fixture for Darlington'. However, due to the form of Iam McFaul, Hope was to make only a single League appearance for Newcastle before a January 1971 switch to Second Division Sheffield United. helping them to promotion in that season. In a four and a half year stay with the Blades John Hope made 63 League appearances before moving on to play for Hartlepool.

Dave Syrett, 10/07/2016, aged 60, brain tumour
Career summaryFootball card image

Swindon Town (122), Mansfield Town (65), Walsall (11), Peterborough United (79), Northampton Town (44). Dave Syrett joined Swindon Town in 1972, making his League debut in 1973. Over four seasons in the Third Division he made 122 League appearances, scoring 30 goals. In July 1977 he was signed by newly promoted Mansfield Town and played a single season in the Second Division before relegation back down to the Third. He later played for Walsall, Peterborough United and Northampton Town before retiring due to injury after 321 League appearances. Apparently a great fan favourite, who sadly had battled cancer for a few years now. Made one appearance in football cards of the period, a 1978/79 Sun Soccercard, under the category of 'Strikers'.

David Stride, 10/07/2016, aged 58, heart attack
Career summaryFootball card image

Chelsea(35), Millwall (55), Orient (29). Began his career with Chelsea signing as a professional in 1976 then played in the NASL before returning for spells with Millwall and Orient. Died of a heart attacked aged only 58.

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

Jackie McInally, 08/07/2016, aged 79
Career summary Football card image

Kilmarnock (212), Motherwell (134), Hamilton Academical (66).  Kilmarnock favourite who joined the team in 1959 as they finished second in the old First Division. They finished second again in 1961, 1963 and 1964 before finally winning the Scottish First Division title in 1964/65. Played in the Scottish F.A. Cup final of 1960 and the League Cup Finals of 1960 and 1962. Moved on to Motherwell and then Hamilton Academicals towards the end of his career. A total of 412 appearances in the Scottish League.

John O'Rourke, 07/07/2016, aged 71
Career summary Football card image

Luton Town(84), Middlesbrough (64), Ipswich Town(69), Coventry City (54), Q.P.R. (34), Bournemouth (22). Northampton-born O'Rourke was with Arsenal as a youth, then Chelsea, before signing with Luton Town where he made his League debut in the old Third Division, but was relegated to the Fourth at the end of the 1964/65 season. In July 1966 he was signed by Third Division Middlesbrough, helping them to a promotion spot into the Second Division. After only 20 months with Middlesbrough he transferred to fellow Second Division side Ipswich, and helped them win the Second Division title in 1968. After 20 months with Ipswich he was signed by Coventry City, finishing the season in 6th place in the First Division. After two years with Coventry he moved back to the Second Division with QPR, winning promotion back to the First Division in 1973. He made a total of 327 League appearances. O'Rourke is infamous amongst football card collectors for his inclusion in the gaffe cards of the A&BC Chewing Gum English Orange backs set, where his image and Jimmy Greenhoff's were unfortunately swapped.

Jimmy Frizzell, 03/07/2016, aged 79
Career summary Football card image

Morton (41), Oldham Athletic (318). Born in Greenock, Frizzell played for Morton for a few years before moving to Oldham Athletic. He remained at Oldham for the next 23 years, 10 as a player (318 League appearances) and almost 13 as the manager. Starting in the old Fourth Division, it took Frizzell only four years to get them up to the Second, where they remained under his tenure

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

John Middleton, 03/07/2016, aged 59, cancer
Career summary Football card image

Nottingham Forest (90), Derby County (73). Lincoln-born Middleton signed professional terms with Second Division Nottingham Forest just before his 18th birthday in 1974. At the end of the 1976/77 season Forest were promoted to the top flight, but at the start of the next season Middleton moved to Derby who enjoyed a 12th place finish while Forest went on to win the title. He retired due to injury in 1980 after 163 Football League appearances. Apparently died from cancer at a too young age.

Bryan Edwards, 21/06/2016, aged 85
Career summary Football card image

Bolton Wanderers (483). One club man Bryan Edwards signed professional from Bolton juniors as a 17 year old. Over the next 18 years he made 483 League appearances for the Wanderers, almost all of that time in the old First Division, and winning an F.A. Cup winners medal in 1958.

Tony Byrne, 13/06/2016, aged 70
Career summary Football card image

Millwall (1), Southampton (93), Hereford United (55), Newport County (80). After one League appearance with Millwall, 18-year old Irishman Byrne was signed by Southampton in August 1964, however he didn't make his Southampton League debut until April 1967. In his 10 years with the Saints he made 93 League appearances before moving to Hereford and then Newport County. He made 14 international appearances for the Republic of Ireland. In total he made 229 League appearances, and appeared in 11 football cards of the period.

Johnny Brooks, 07/06/2016, aged 84
Career summary Football card image

Reading (46), Tottenham Hotspur (166), Chelsea (46), Brentford (83), Crystal Palace (7). Johnny Brooks, born in Reading, signed professional terms with the local Division Three South side as an 18 year old. In February 1953 he moved to join First Division Tottenham Hotspur. In his first few seasons Spurs struggled, finishing 10th, 16th, 16th and 18th, before rising to 2nd in 1956/57 and 3rd in 1957/58. During this time Brooks made three international appearances for England, all during a three week period at the end of 1956. In the middle of the 1959/60 season he transferred to Chelsea, before finishing his League career with Brentford (including the 1962/63 Fourth Division title) and Crystal Palace.

Harry Gregory, 06/06/2016, aged 72
Career summary Football card image

Orient (79), Charlton Athletic (149), Aston Villa (24), Hereford United (73). Signed professional for Orient aged 18 in May 1962. Seson 1962/63 was Orient's only season in the First Division, ending in a first-season relegation. Gregory stayed for four years, ending with relegation to the Third Division in 1966. However, Harry Gregory stayed in the Second Division with a transfer to the Valley, where he became team captain. Stayed with Charlton for four years before a move to the Third Division with newly relegated Aston Villa.

Nicky Jennings, 04/06/2016, aged 70
Career summary Football card image

Plymouth Argyle (98), Portsmouth (206), Aldershot (4), Exeter City (124). The FKS 1970/71 album notes 'Tricky little left-winger who came to Portsmouth from Plymouth Argyle in January 1967 having originally joined the Devon club in August 1963. Began his career with Wellington and is a native of Somerset, too'. Portsmouth Player of the Season in 1970, going on to make 206 League appearances for the club. Transferred in 1974 to Exeter City where he made an additional 124 League appearances. Inducted into the Portsmouth Hall of Fame in 2014.

Ian Gibson, 25/05/2016, aged 73
Career summary Football card image

Accrington Stanley (9), Bradford Park Avenue (88), Middlesbrough (168), Coventry City (93), Cardiff City (90), Bournemouth (20). A Scottish schoolboy international, Ian Gibson made his League debut with Accrington Stanley as a 15 year old. In May 1961 he joined Bradford Park Avenue where he stayed less than a year before a transfer to Second Division Middlesbrough. At the end of the 1965/66 season, with Middlesbrough relegated to the Third Division, Gibson was snapped up by Coventry City, and in 1966/67 won the Second Division title to see Coventry in the top flight for the first time in their history. At the end of the 1969/70 season, with Coventry finishing 6th in the First Division Ian Gibson was transferred to Cardiff City, before finishing his career with Bournemouth for a total of 468 League appearances. Regarded as one of the legends of Coventry City for his role in helping begin their 34 year run in the top flight of English football.

George Ross, 08/05/2016, aged 73
Career summary Football card image

Preston North End (386), Southport (31). George Ross was born in Inverness, but moved south to Preston as a 15-year old. In April 1960, aged 17, Ross signed professional for First Division Preston North End, and went on to play for the club 386 times in the League. Preston were relegated to the Second Division in 1961, but in 1964 they finished 3rd in the Second Division and reached the final of the F.A. Cup (losing 3-2 to West Ham), Ross playing alongside Nobby Lawton and Howard Kendall in the Preston team. Preston were relegated to the Third Division in 1970, but bounced straight back by winning the Third Division championship in 1971. He was associated with PNE for over 50 years, a true legend of the club. He never appeared in an individual football card, but is pictured here from the 1971/72 Daily Mirror My Club cards.

John Lumsden, 22/04/2016, aged 55
Career summary Football card image

East Fife (22), Stoke City (6). Scots-born midfielder picked up early in his career by First Division Stoke, but who sadly never quite made the top grade.

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

Garry Jones, 06/04/2016, aged 65
Career summary Football card image

Bolton Wanderers (203), Sheffield United (3), Blackpool (27), Hereford United (25). Garry Jones signed professional with Second Division Bolton Wanderers in January 1968, aged 17. The club was relegated to the Third Division in 1971, but were Division Champions in 1973. In the 1974/75 season he went on loan to First Division Sheffield United, making 3 League appearances. Bolton finished 4th in the Second Division in 1976 and 1977, before becoming Second Division Champions in 1977/78 (Jones making 6 League appearances in the season). Garry Jones left Bolton in November 1978 having made 203 League appearances, going on to play for Blackpool and Hereford United. Pictured here from the 1978/79 Americana Football Special 79 set of stickers.

Ian Britton, 31/03/2016, aged 61
Career summary Football card image

Chelsea (263), Dundee United (10), Arbroath (2), Blackpool (106), Burnley (108). Dundee-born Britton joined Chelsea as a 17 year old, making his League debut as a substitute on December 30, 1972. This was a tough time at Chelsea, relegated in 1974/75, promoted in 1976/77, relegated again in 1978/79, then mid-table in the Second Division. In 1982 he transferred back home and helped Dundee United win the Scottish Premier Division title in 1983. He returned to English football with Blackpool and Burnley, finishing his career with a total of 477 English League appearances. Noted by Rothmans as being only 5' 5" tall, and weighing just over 9 stone (60kg) he must have been a pocket rocket. Sadly dead from cancer at the too-young age of 61.

John King, 30/03/2016, aged 77
Career summary Football card image

Everton (48), Bournemouth (21), Tranmere Rovers (242), Port Vale (101), Wigan Athletic (12). Player with over 400 League appearances, including with Everton in the First Division, who went on to great acclaim as a manager at Tranmere.

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

Johann Cruyff, 24/03/2016, aged 68
Career summary Football card image

Widely acknowledged as one of the true greats of the game. Won 3 Ballon d'Or awards: 1971, 1973 and 1974. Helped the Netherlands reach the final of the 1974 World Cup tournament and won the player of the tournament award. Player for Ajax and Barcelona at club level, then later went on to manage both clubs. Made a total of 48 international appearances, scoring 33 goals. It's hard to fully appreciate the influence that he has had on the game as a player and, perhaps more importantly, as a thinker about the way the game is played. A great loss to the game at the age of only 68.

Billy Ritchie, 11/03/2016, aged 79
Career summary Football card image

Rangers (207), Partick Thistle (57), Motherwell (13), Stanraer (23). Scottish goalkeeper Billy Ritchie joined Rangers in 1955 and was with the club for 12 years, making 207 Scottish League appearances, during which time the club won two league titles, four Scottish cups and three League cups. He won a single international cap for Scotland in May 1962. After playing with Rangers he moved on to Partick Thistle, Motherwell and Stranraer, for a total of 300 Scottish League appearances. A member of the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame.

Freddie Goodwin, 19/02/2016, aged 82
Career summary Football card image

Manchester United (95), Leeds United (12), Scunthorpe United (6). Freddie Goodwin was one of the 'Busby Babes', signing professional with Manchester United in October 1953, aged 20. He was part of the team that won the 1955/56 and 1956/57 First Division titles. He was not one of the squad members present at the Munich air disaster, but was part of the team that dealt with the consequences. After 7 seasons with United, and 95 League appearances, Goodwin transferred to Leeds United though could not help them from being relegated that season. After four seasons in the Second Division Leeds topped the table in 1964, but Goodwin had suffered a bad leg break which led to his premature retirement from playing. He later went on to manage Birmingham City with great success, including promotion to the top flight in 1972, followed by a 10th place finish in the First Division in 1973. He then moved to the US where he became a club coach and president. A total of 222 League appearances in a career cut short through injury.

Johnny Miller, 18/02/2016, aged 65
Career summary Football card image

Ipswich Town (51), Norwich City (23), Mansfield Town (113), Port Vale (26). Johnny Miller was born in Ipswich and signed professional for Town just before his 18th birthday in 1968. Ipswich finished 4th in the First Division in 1972/73 and again 1973/74. Early in the 1974/75 season Miller moved to local rivals, and newly relegated, Norwich City in the Second Division, helping them gain instant promotion back to the top flight in 1975. At the start of the 1976/77 he moved to Third Division Mansfield Town, helping them to win the Division title in 1977. Johnny Miller finished his League career in 1982 after 14 seasons and 213 League appearances, 113 of them with Mansfield Town.

Paul Bannon, 15/02/2016, aged 59
Career summary Football card image

Carlisle United (14), Darlington (2), Bristol Rovers (29), Cardiff City (4), Plymouth Argyle (2).

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website
Graham Moore, 09/02/2016, aged 74
Career summary Football card image

Cardiff City (85), Chelsea (68), Manchester United (18), Northampton Town (53), Charlton Athletic (11), Doncaster Rovers (69). Graham Moore joined Cardiff City as a 16 year old, signing professional terms in May 1958 at 17. In the 1959/60 season he made 41 League appearances to help the Bluebirds return to the First Division. In December 1961 he transferred from Cardiff to Chelsea, though somewhat ironically both Cardiff and Chelsea were relegated at the end of that season. In 1962/63 Chelsea finished 2nd in the Second Division, gaining promotion back to the First. In November 1963 Moore was signed by Manchester United, helping them to a 2nd place finish, though in a two year stay he managed only 18 League appearances. He played on for another 10 years, with Northampton (in the First Division), Charlton and Doncaster. First capped for Wales in 1958, he finished his career with 21 international caps.

David Sloan, 04/02/2016, aged 74
Career summary Football card image

Scunthorpe United (136), Oxford United (174), Walsall (49).

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website
Ray Pointer, 26/01/2016, aged 79
Career summary Football card image

Burnley (223), Bury (19), Coventry City (26), Portsmouth (152). Ray Pointer joined Burnley as a 20-year old striker from Dudley Welfare in 1957. He joined one of the most progressive sides of the era, and went on to win the First Division Championship in 1959/60. Pointer, known as the 'Blond bombshell' scored 19 goals in that season. In 1961 he made three appearances for England, scoring two goals. After 223 League appearances and 118 League goals for the Clarets he transferred to Bury and Coventry before settling at Portsmouth where he stayed for seven years.

Tommy Bryceland, 22/01/2016, aged 76
Career summary Football card image

St. Mirren (118), Norwich City (254), Oldham Athletic (67). Tommy Bryceland was born in Greenock, signing professional with St. Mirren as a 17-year old. He stayed for 5 years, winning a Scottish Cup medal in 1959 before transferring to Second Division Norwich City in 1962 'despite offers from other clubs' (according to the 1966/67 A&BC Chewing Gum card). He made 254 League appearances for Norwich before moving to Oldham for two seasons then returning to St. Mirren as player-manager. Described on football cards as being 5' 6" tall, he must have been a pocket dynamo inside-right.

Percy Freeman, 05/01/2016, aged 70
Career summary Football card image

West Bromwich Albion (3), Lincoln City (152), Reading (60).

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website
John Roberts, 04/01/2016, aged 69
Career summary Football card image

Swansea Town (37), Northampton Town (62), Arsenal (59), Birmingham City (66), Wrexham (145), Hull City (26). Welshman Roberts joined Swansea Town as a 17-year old apprentice, signing professional in July 1964. In just over 3 years he made 37 League appearances before a transfer to join Northampton Town. After only 18 months there he transferred to join Arsenal where he played as a centre back and won a First Division Championship medal in Arsenal's double winning season 1970/71. At the start of the 1972/73 season he moved to Birmingham City, then later joined Wrexham and Hull for a total of 395 League appearances. He won his first international cap for Wales while playing for Arsenal, ending up with a total of 22 full international caps. A favourite with football card collectors, Roberts appeared in at least 21 different football cards in the period from 1965/66 to 1979/80.

Ambrose (Amby) Fogarty, 03/01/2016, aged 82
Career summary Football card image

Sunderland (152), Hartlepool United (127).

Not known to have appeared in football cards of the period of this website
John Dowie, ??/01/20156, aged 60
Career summary Football card image

Fulham (37), Celtic (14), Doncaster Rovers (21), Clyde (9).

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