Sad news about the passing of Malcolm Manley, a true grit defender at Leicester City during his days in the late 60’s and early 70’s, coming on as a sub in the 1969 FA Cup final and of course picking up his runners-up medal after that 0-1 defeat to Man City.
He played under three different Leicester City managers in his six years in the first team frame, being given his debut by Matt Gillies, playing on under Frank O’Farrell, winning the 2nd division, and of course a few seasons under Jimmy Bloomfield before making his move to Portsmouth.
Before moving on he had another sub experience in the 1971 Charity Shield win v. Liverpool, which made him a bit special as he appeared from the bench in two such special occasions, but also a regular in the sides that entered the top flight and being often in the back partnering Graham Cross or Alan Woollett.
More competition in the back from a younger Malcolm Munro made it difficult to keep a steady first team place, and he was overlooked more and more before making his move to Portsmouth, but that was curt short with a knee injury after just 11 games played.
His professional football career never peaked again, but Manley had spells in both South Africa and Australia being able to play at a lower pace in leagues that didn’t have the same quality as in the top flight of English football.
During Manley’s days at Leicester City he often appeared on telly in Scandinavia as games were live on a Saturday evening, with him and his raw look seen in games v. Cardiff City (1969), Sunderland (1970), West Ham (1972), and of course also in the 1969 FA Cup final, so we did see him a few times in action, Malcolm Manley.
FACTFILE
- Full Name: Malcolm Richardson Manley
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 01.12.1949
- Birthplace: Johnstone
- Nation: Scotland
- Caps / Goals: –
- Major League Career:
- 1966-73, Leicester City (120/5)
- 1973-74, Portsmouth (11/0)
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