City's oldest living player?

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Big Swifty

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The recent thread about players of former times made me wonder who is our oldest living player. Since Ivor Broadis died last year aged 96, two notable players spring to mind: Johnny Williamson (91 next month) and Ron Phoenix (91 in June) are candidates. I say "notable" because:

  • Johnny Williamson was instrumental in City's success in the mid-50s. When we tried out the deep-lying centre-forward line-up (aka the Revie plan), Johnny was the deep-lying number nine who tried it out in the reserves, and it worked well. Don Revie took over the role in the first team and it baffled opposing defences, who were used to a big striker up front. Williamson attended City's home games faithfully until quite old, and I used to say "Hello Johnny" to him when he walked past as I waited outside the ground. He seemed pleased to be recognised and always acknowledged my greeting.
  • Ronnie Phoenix was a flame-haired midfielder and local lad who made his debut at Arsenal in January 1952 and caused a bit of a stir by scoring one of City's goals in a 2-2 draw. Unfortunately he broke a leg (possibly on more than one occasion) and never realised the high hopes we had for him. Scored on debut? If a United player did that now he'd be in the England squad!
I love delving into our past and despise those who say we have no history. I hope some others may be interested too. Perhaps Gary James could confirm that Williamson and Phoenix are our oldest living ex-players?
 
Bill Leivers is a slip of a lad at 88 but often turns up at our Wembley games.
I am told he was a very gentle Sunday school teacher in Longsight but hard as nails on the pitch.
 
Big Swifty said:
The recent thread about players of former times made me wonder who is our oldest living player. Since Ivor Broadis died last year aged 96, two notable players spring to mind: Johnny Williamson (91 next month) and Ron Phoenix (91 in June) are candidates. I say "notable" because:

  • Johnny Williamson was instrumental in City's success in the mid-50s. When we tried out the deep-lying centre-forward line-up (aka the Revie plan), Johnny was the deep-lying number nine who tried it out in the reserves, and it worked well. Don Revie took over the role in the first team and it baffled opposing defences, who were used to a big striker up front. Williamson attended City's home games faithfully until quite old, and I used to say "Hello Johnny" to him when he walked past as I waited outside the ground. He seemed pleased to be recognised and always acknowledged my greeting.
  • Ronnie Phoenix was a flame-haired midfielder and local lad who made his debut at Arsenal in January 1952 and caused a bit of a stir by scoring one of City's goals in a 2-2 draw. Unfortunately he broke a leg (possibly on more than one occasion) and never realised the high hopes we had for him. Scored on debut? If a United player did that now he'd be in the England squad!
I love delving into our past and despise those who say we have no history. I hope some others may be interested too. Perhaps Gary James could confirm that Williamson and Phoenix are our oldest living ex-players?
Click to expand...
Big Swifty said:
The recent thread about players of former times made me wonder who is our oldest living player. Since Ivor Broadis died last year aged 96, two notable players spring to mind: Johnny Williamson (91 next month) and Ron Phoenix (91 in June) are candidates. I say "notable" because:

  • Johnny Williamson was instrumental in City's success in the mid-50s. When we tried out the deep-lying centre-forward line-up (aka the Revie plan), Johnny was the deep-lying number nine who tried it out in the reserves, and it worked well. Don Revie took over the role in the first team and it baffled opposing defences, who were used to a big striker up front. Williamson attended City's home games faithfully until quite old, and I used to say "Hello Johnny" to him when he walked past as I waited outside the ground. He seemed pleased to be recognised and always acknowledged my greeting.
  • Ronnie Phoenix was a flame-haired midfielder and local lad who made his debut at Arsenal in January 1952 and caused a bit of a stir by scoring one of City's goals in a 2-2 draw. Unfortunately he broke a leg (possibly on more than one occasion) and never realised the high hopes we had for him. Scored on debut? If a United player did that now he'd be in the England squad!
I love delving into our past and despise those who say we have no history. I hope some others may be interested too. Perhaps Gary James could confirm that Williamson and Phoenix are our oldest living ex-players?
Click to expand...
Good to hear Rod Phoenix is still with us......he used to sometimes help train the football team I played for when I was growing up plus he owed an ironmongers in Davyhulme that sold anything and everything.
 
bluegaz13 said:
Good to hear Rod Phoenix is still with us......he used to sometimes help train the football team I played for when I was growing up plus he owed an ironmongers in Davyhulme that sold anything and everything.
Click to expand...
Good to know that someone has heard of Ron Phoenix! I was beginning to think \I was the only one.

I did expect, though, that this would be a minority appeal thread. But I can't help going back into the past.
 
bluegaz13 said:
Good to hear Rod Phoenix is still with us......he used to sometimes help train the football team I played for when I was growing up plus he owed an ironmongers in Davyhulme that sold anything and everything.
Click to expand...
bluegaz13 said:
Good to hear Rod Phoenix is still with us......he used to sometimes help train the football team I played for when I was growing up plus he owed an ironmongers in Davyhulme that sold anything and everything.
Click to expand...
used to go un there for paraffin . They had the post office at the nag after that I think ,what team gaz ?
 
The following appear to be alive and well:

Peter Dobing
Bobby Kennedy
Alan Oakes
Ralph Brand
Jackie Plenderleith
Johnny Crossan
 
JGL07 said:
The following appear to be alive and well:

Peter Dobing
Bobby Kennedy
Alan Oakes
Ralph Brand
Jackie Plenderleith
Johnny Crossan
Click to expand...

Very interesting, JGL07. Brand is 83, Plenderleith & Kennedy 82, Dobing & Crossan 81. Alan Oakes is a mere stripling at 77.

Big Bill leivers, at 88, is the only survivor of \City's \Cup-winning side of 1956. I still can't find older than Williamson & Phoenix though.
 
Big Swifty said:
Very interesting, JGL07. Brand is 83, Plenderleith & Kennedy 82, Dobing & Crossan 81. Alan Oakes is a mere stripling at 77.

Big Bill leivers, at 88, is the only survivor of \City's \Cup-winning side of 1956. I still can't find older than Williamson & Phoenix though.
Click to expand...
Slightly off topic i met Jack Dyson towards the end of the 80's, obviously I knew the name but it was his England blazer that gave gave him away as being the Jack Dyson. Had a lovely chat for 20/30 minutes with him, so down to earth.
 
beehive_bob said:
Fred Smith. According to wiki played 2 games for us, scoring 1 goal, in 1952 and will be a young 94 next month.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I vaguely remember the name. He was a bit of a failure at this level. Was he from Sheff Utd?
You did well to trace such a bit-part player. If you're right, I must correct my previous assumption.
 
Mike Cledford said:
Bill Leivers is a slip of a lad at 88 but often turns up at our Wembley games.
I am told he was a very gentle Sunday school teacher in Longsight but hard as nails on the pitch.
Click to expand...

I was schooled in the art of CB play with Dave Ewing and Bill Leivers. Vinnie, Otters, Tal Ben Haim, Ayjeric, Stonesy have all had my Ewing?Leivers slide rule run past them to see if they were of appropriate quality.
 
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