Malcolm Allison RIP

When I was a kid the game had such wonderful characters and the 70's was a golden era for football personalities. Brian Clough, George Best, Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh, Frank Worthington. A 10-year couldn't wait to see in the flesh some of these players talked about on the radio and imitated in the playground.

Malcolm Allison was another one. Ten Ian Holloway's rolled into one in front of a camera and a microphone.

Big Mal died today aged 83. Alongside Joe Mercer he revitalized Manchester City, who were just as shit in the early 60's as they were in the late 90's. Allison and Mercer didn't have Roberto Mancini's spending power though, in fact the UAE was just three letters in the alphabet back then, but what Big Mal did have was some cheek.

He signed Colin Bell from neighbours Bury but went on record saying that Bell "can't head it, can't pass it, he's hopeless." to put other clubs off. It worked and Bell won the league title, the FA Cup, two League Cups and a Cup Winners Cup under Mercer & Allison at Man City.

Mike Summerbee, who played under Allison described him as "the greatest coach this country ever had. And still is, without a shadow of a doubt".

"We were doing things in 1965 on running machines at Salford University with massage based fitness, we trained in Wythenshawe Park with Derek Ibbotson and some of the Salford rugby league lads - that's how hard it was and how good it was."

Allison, known for wearing a fedora and his love of cigars, spent most of his playing career as a centre half at West Ham, making 238 appearances (10 goals) in the 1950s. Dartford born, he had made a couple of appearances for Charlton before that. However his playing career was cut short after suffering tuberculosis.

He also managed Crystal Palace and was one of the most flamboyant characters in their history. He increased the clubs small profile and was even responsible for changing the nickname from The Glaziers to The Eagles. He also changed their colours to the red and blue stripes, one of many kits that Palace have worn over the years, but can you imagine now a manager having that kind of influence?

Mind you Big Mal did take Palace down twice. He also managed Plymouth, Middlesbrough, Sporting Lisbon, Yeovil Town, Galatasaray, Kuwait and Bristol Rovers but he is still fondly remembered.

Man City's flags are flying at half-mast today and City's players will wear black armbands for Sunday's Barclays Premier League match.

What they said about Malcolm Allison:

"My wife always says that 'you love Malcolm Allison more than you love me.' That's how you epitomised Malcolm Allison." - Mike Summerbee

"I'd been a professional for two and a half months and Malcolm had taught me everything I know.... When Malcolm was coaching schoolboys he took a liking to me when I don't think anyone else at West Ham saw anything special in me... I looked up to the man. It's not too strong to say I loved him." - Bobby Moore

Malcom Allison in pictures.