Malcolm Allison -English bias?

[Squelch]

Hi, I wonder if any of the older members can help me with something that has been nagging me for a while?

I know Malcolm Allison went on to manage in Portugal later, but in his early years at City, is there any proof that he had a bias towards signing English players?

I remember he was quite derisive about Tommy Docherty signing Scottish players ("He's just signed another Scot, Jock Strap, to keep them up"). And of course he cost City the title by replacing Welshman Wyn Davies, with Rodney Marsh. I seem to remember both City and West Ham (where Big Mal was a player) fielding all English teams in the 60s.

 

[Tanzeylee]

Seemed to work ok in the 69 final.

 

[cibaman]

I doubt that he was biased against non English players. But in those days it was more difficult to travel long distances to watch players. And I think he liked to watch potential signings himself rather than rely on scouts. So that would limit the catchment area. He signed a few overseas players in his second spell, which didn't work out too well.