Malcolm Allison RIP - Confirmed

Sometimes controversial but never short of an opinion, Malcolm Allison was one of the most flamboyant people in the game and is still recognised and popular with City fans today. Without doubt he was one of the finest tacticians and coaches of all time.
After a playing career as a centre half for Charlton and West Ham he had a bout TB and retired from playing. His first managerial position was with Southern League side Bath City. It was at Bath that Allison first came across a player destined, like himself, to go on to great things at Maine Road. The player was Tony Book. He then moved to Plymouth Argyle(taking Book with him) for 12 months before accepting Joe Mercer's offer of employment at City in July 1965.
His training methods transformed his players into the nucleus of a side that would win both the Division2 and Division 1 titles in just three years. Today Allison claims that his training was revolutionary only because 'they'd never had any training before I came.All they did was just run round the pitch'. Tremendously fit and strong, as well as being tactically extremely well organised, the City team led by Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison became the top side in the country during the late 1960's and early 1970's.
Perhaps not surprisingly after six years together, Allison felt it was time for personal promotion and he was given his wish in 1971 when Mercer moved to Coventry. In March 1973, feeling he was unable to motivate the players any longer, Allison accepted the manager's position at Crystal Palace. Four more moves and six years later he returned to Maine Road, primarily as coach to then manager, Tony Book.
Unfortunately his return did not prove successful and after a clearout of players, a embarrassing FA Cup defeat and some big spending Allison was dismissed in October 1980 and returned to Palace.

Football needed people with the abilities and charisma of 'Big Mal'-a man who will always be remembered with great affection by City fans for his work with Joe Mercer.
 
Saw quite a few games back then. My Dad was a mate of Tony Book's and so we'd always get tickets for the Derby and so on. Too young to really appreciate him although his technical plans were revloutionary. For example, he used to say that there are many places on the foot with which to kick a football. But most of all, he exuded confidence and belief. My memory of Maine Road in the seventies was a general feeling that we were kings of the world [whether that was true or not]. He also had a lot to thank Joe Mercer for but became a star in his own right. The world's a slightly poorer place this morning but he had a good innings and his legend will live on. RIP Big Mal. Keep that Fedora flying on high. No-one ever scared the Rags so much...
 
raininspain said:
Didsbury Dave said:
All you young 'uns out there.

You know what this man did in the name of MCFC?

Came out to Old Traffored before a derby and walked around like he owned the place. Srolled over ot a jeering Stretford End with his chest puffed out. Stood defiantly in front of them holding out 3 fingers and laughing.

Then sent his team out to win 3-1.

That's what the man did. Balls, defiance, humour. MCFC personified.

Never forget.
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I was there that day as well. It's my undying memory of Big Mal and you can't imagine what it meant to the thousands of blues who were in the North Stand (or was it still the crappy old open Scoreboard End?).

We used to go to the swamp year after year under Big Mal (not forgetting Genial Joe Mercer) and stuff them. Those were the days.

RIP Big Mal.
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Of course, if this were to happen these days then the FA would slap a lengthy ban on the manager for 'incitement'.

Another one who used to do similar things to the Stretfor End was the well-known and self-confessed rag hater, Mick Doyle.
 
RIP Big Mal!

Sad day, let's hope our lads go out there this year and do him proud.
 
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