Big Mal Memories

[Gary James]

The 1933 FA Cup final (City V Everton) - in 1996 Allison told Gary James that as a five-year-old boy he sat listening to that cup final on the radio and that from that point on he became a Manchester City supporter.

I have several vivid memories of meeting Mal in the last 2 decades. The best was when I interviewed him in 1993 for my book on Joe Mercer. I often tell the story when I do supporters meetings and it remains a very strong and favourite moment for me.

I have a sound cassette with my interview on somewhere and really wish I could quickly and easily get this turned into a MP3 or appropriate file because he was a great talker.

The last time I met him properly was on his 80th birthday when I delivered a card and various messages from supporters to him. He was not well, but he did listen to some of the messages when I read them out and he was clearly touched.

When I wrote my biog of Mercer I really wanted to follow it up with Big Mal's biog and did speak with him. For various reasons, which are not appropriate now, the opportunity disappeared and I never had the chance to write the book. A great biog has since been written though.

Mal will always be a significant figure in the history of City. Deservedly so.

 

[malg]

After he received a lot of criticism for saying City would terrorise Europe (after winning League in 1968) he responded in 1970 after winning the European Cup Winners Cup by saying: "I said we'd terrorise Europe, I just didn't say which year."

That is just genius. If Ferguson or Shankly would have said something like that you'd never hear the fucking end of it. He still won't get the credit he deserves because if he would have done the job he done with us at either the Rags or Liverpool he would be fucking lauded to the heavens.

RIP

 

[piffy on a rock bun]

After he received a lot of criticism for saying City would terrorise Europe (after winning League in 1968) he responded in 1970 after winning the European Cup Winners Cup by saying: "I said we'd terrorise Europe, I just didn't say which year."

That is just genius. If Ferguson or Shankly would have said something like that you'd never hear the fucking end of it. He still won't get the credit he deserves because if he would have done the job he done with us at either the Rags or Liverpool he would be fucking lauded to the heavens.

RIP

Your right but if other people are to ignorant or thick to give deserved credit to a truly great football coach, we all know Malcolm was and always will be a proper legend & will never be forgotten by anyone who knows anything about football.

 

[samharris]

Please listen to this piece of music whilst thinking of big malc...a great piece of music for a great man..

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BI1dT1F3qY&feature=related[/youtube]

After all he was our master and commander.

 

[blueshortshorts]

MY memory of him that I'll never forget was when he came back to maine road with palace in 81 for a cup game.I was too young to be around when he was there with Joe so looking forward to the game
On the way my mates dad kept sayin I bet he goes over to the fans like he loved doing in the Mercer/Allison era and have a bit of banter,he did to much cheering. He came back to the dugout and me being a brash 14 year old said " I thought the cheer would have been fucking louder than that Malcolm" he turned and said " Your too young to be swearing in my house lad"
Nobody could argue with it.

I have a signed shirt from 1970 season with Joe,Malcolms and a few players signatures along with a hole on it.My mates dad who I got it from always said with a smirk the hole was made by one of his cigars,I've always hoped it's true.

Great memory..I was a 10 year old in the North Stand that day...had my bar scarf with all the player badges pinned on it ( as I remember I had Watson, Hartford, Clements etc), I remember on the way my Dad telling me that Big Mal would love being back, and would milk it!! I remember the sense of theatre when he emerged and saluted the kippax...I also remember jumping up when the 3rd or 4th goal went in and getting my leg stuck in the seat, but that's another story!

 

[johnny on the spot]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miGfy_fEVoA[/youtube]

Didn't take long.

Tissues out.

 

[mount pleasant blue]

Sorry if it has been posted before...
Malcolm Allison interviewed in 1992
<a class="postlink" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9097130.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9097130.stm</a>

 

[ColinBellsjockstrap]

"The only reason I went into a nightclub was to see if any of my players were there"

lol!

<a class="postlink" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9097130.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9097130.stm</a>

 

[Palerider]

RIP Malcolm
He was without doubt one of the great characters of football and that's how most of us remember him. But the other side was his football brain, the nearest we have today is Arsene Wenger, Mal did not just want to win he wanted to win in style and with his own team. With the mighty Joe Mercer we did it once and without being biased we were probably the best side in the world for two years ( yep ). Even when he came back for his second stint you could see the nucleus of a good side and with a bit more financial clout we would have progressed. All in all he was great to have on your side and with that glint in his eye you knew he was just having a laugh at the opposition. Thanks for the memories Mal.

 

[IMARRIEDBLUEMOON]

We had just seen City beaten 2-1 by Wolves 1974 League Cup and whilst walking down Wembley Way were asked by two of Mals mates if we could see him safely back to his hotel in the West End as he was a bit worse for wear. We ushered him onto the underground train and sat with him whilst he held a question and answer session with us. My God, why werent mobile phones invented in those days! He asked if any of us smoked cigars. Me. Hamlets. He bummed one off me and we sat and smoked one each on the train. Lasting memory is of Big Mal smoking a Hamlet and repeating "that was MY fckin team out there today"
RIP MAL. And thanks for the memories.