7 September 1942: Happy Birthday To Our Record Appearance Holder.

[HowleyBlue]

7 September 1942: Happy Birthday To Our Record Appearance Holder & Unsung Hero Alan Oakes:

Appearances 680:
Football League First Division: 1967-68:
European Cup Winners Cup: 1969-70:
FA Cup: 1968-69:
(2) League Cup: 1969-70,1975-76:
(2) FA Charity Shield: 1968,1972:
Football League Second Division:1965-66:
City Player Of The Year: 1974/75:

 

[pride in battle]

#Legend

 

[Gray]

I patted him on the back at Millmoor (Rotherham) on the 4th May 1966 after we achieved promotion back to the top division.

Nearly broke my hand, he was built like the proverbial brick shithouse.

 

[Norbiton]

Mr Reliable, the cement that held the team together. Happy Birthday!

 

[MIKE.C1971]

A true City Legend, a real Player, 8/10 every week, very rarely injured and his Football ability was very underrated, great defensive work, very good passing and chipped in with a goal or two, Unbelievable International honours eluded him...Happy Birthday Alan, a City great for me....!!!

 

[mcfcinprague]

One of my favourites back in the day

An awesome presence on the pitch

Cracking goal against Middlesbrough in the League Cup too

I've added the goal from YouTube

 

[KS55]

One of my favourite players. Standing on the Kippax when we were playing towards the Platt Lane end, I got to study him closely. A real rock, always exactly where he was needed. His numbers are astonishing. Loved him.

 

[Dannyblue52]

Mr reliable. I never saw him have a bad game. One of the most underrated players of all time. Everybody talks of Lee Bell and Summerbee but apart from Colin he was as good as everybody else. Happy birthday. Hope there is quite a few more come.

 

[TShed]

Still the finest person to have ever worn our shirt

 

[blue by birth]

One of my favourites back in the day

An awesome presence on the pitch

Cracking goal against Middlesbrough in the League Cup too

Yeah I remember that well..time flies eh..
Happy Birthday Alan..

 

[Chappie]

The unsung hero of the Mercer era.
Mr dependable, left foot wand.
Still can picture his goal against Bilbao.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

One of my favourites back in the day

An awesome presence on the pitch

Cracking goal against Middlesbrough in the League Cup too

I've added the goal from YouTube

I saw him from late '71 until he finished with us and that goal sprung to mind straight away as I clicked on the thread.

An injury hit team made it to the final.

Strange thing was we beat them 4-0 at home in the league as well & lost both the cup away leg & league game there 1-0.

 

[BillCarlisle]

What a player ! Enough said.
Happy Birthday Alan.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

Happy birthday Big Al. An absolute gentleman. Seen him a few weeks back and he was looking well. LEGEND!

 

[Gazza]

Did he ever get booked?

 

[HelloCity]

I patted him on the back at Millmoor (Rotherham) on the 4th May 1966 after we achieved promotion back to the top division.

Nearly broke my hand, he was built like the proverbial brick shithouse.

Mr Reliable, the cement that held the team together. Happy Birthday!

Explains that one then :)

 

[johnnytapia]

One of my favourites back in the day

An awesome presence on the pitch

Cracking goal against Middlesbrough in the League Cup too

I've added the goal from YouTube

What a night.

 

[mcfcinprague]

What a night.

What a team that was too

 

[TShed]

One of my favourites back in the day

An awesome presence on the pitch

Cracking goal against Middlesbrough in the League Cup too

I've added the goal from YouTube

So many great nights at Maine Rd sure we all have our favourites some of mine are
This Boro one
2-1 semi v rags
The ACMilan and Bilbao and Shalke nights and getting the 2ndDiv cup and the Newcastle replay in 69
Everton last home game 68

His testimonial v Rags especially Town after lol

If I’m not mistaken Alan played in them all
Except the A C game

 

[Gordyola]

I’m sure Pep would have loved him his ability to bring the ball out and ping it long or pass it short
Wonderful player just like his cousin Glyn Pardoe
As mentioned above the unsung hero of a great team and his longevity was amazing
Happy birthday and here’s to lots more Alan