Football Legends of Greater Manchester

Manchester Footballers
Players & Managers from Manchester United and Manchester City Football Clubs

Wayne Rooney

Born in Croxteth, Liverpool in 1985, Wayne Rooney made his footballing debut in 2002 playing for Everton against Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park.

His thus-far short career has seen him establish a succession of records and witnessed him rise to become a leading goal scorer for Everton and the England national Team. By 2003 he had already become Everton's youngest ever goal scorer .

Wayne became the youngest ever England international in February 2003 when, at the tender age of 17, he came on as a substitute against Australia at Upton Park. Subsequently, Rooney's goals against Switzerland made him also the youngest player to score at a European championship .

Following his distinguished play at the Euro2004 Football Competition, his football potential was instantly recognised and he was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Everton to Manchester United in late August 2004.

Dogged by a rather unfortunate reputation off-field, Rooney makes up for this with magic on the football pitch.

Sammy McIlroy

Born in Belfast, N.Ireland on 2nd August 1954. Discovered as a schoolboy player at Ashfield School, Belfast, having been capped 4 times by Northern Ireland Schoolboys.

Made his debut appearance for Manchester United at Old Trafford when just 15 years of age, to play in a City-United Derby, and scored the opening goal. Awarded 88 Northern Ireland caps.

Seriously injured in a car crash in 1973 and took a year to recover. Inherent talent and flair.

Played over 400 games for United and scored 70 goals. Left United in 1982.

 

Alex Stepney

Born in Mitcham, Surrey on 18th September 1942. Occupied goalkeeper's role with United from 1966 to 1978. Made his Football League debut with Millwall in August 1963.

He was awarded 3 England Under-23 caps, and moved to Chelsea in 1966. Four months later Matt Busby paid £55,000 to sign him for United.

A steady, positive player, with superb positional skills, he was a reassuring part of United for 12 years.

Left United in 1979 to join the Dallas Tornadoes (USA). He made 535 appearances and scored 2 goals.

 

'Nobby' Stiles

Born in Collyhurst Manchester on 18th May 1942. Real name Norbert Peter Stiles, but always known as 'Nobby'.

Played in Halfback position. Early career saw him play for St. Patrick's School, Collyhurst (Manchester), as well as Manchester and Lancashire Schoolboys.

A tough, aggressive defender, he was enthusiastic and determined.

Part of the 1966 England World Cup Winning team, contemporary of Brian Kidd, who also shared the same origins.

Made 392 appearances for United and scored 19 goals.

 

Gordon Strachen

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 9th February 1957.

Occupied the midfield position with United from 1984 to 1989, after having debuted with Watford in 1984.

Also played for Dundee, Aberdeen, and after United, with Leeds United. Capped for Scotland at Schoolboy and at Youth level, described as having a "football brain".

Red-haired, fiery and enthusiastic, he was voted "Scottish Player of the Year" in 1980. Made 195 appearances and scored 38 goals.

 

Norman Whiteside

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 7th May 1965. Played in both Forward and Midfield positions for United from 1981 to 1989. Discovered by Brighton & Hove playing in a Belfast school, and signed aged 17.

A strong runner, large-framed and tenacious. Played for Northern Ireland in the 1982 World Cup. Dubbed "Nasty Norman" for his tempestuous and often aggressive outbursts, which led to frequent sending-off.

Finally dogged by Achilles tendon and hamstring injuries, his appearances became fewer, and he announced his retirement from football in 1991 after serious knee injuries.

Played 254 games with 67 goals to his credit.

 

Francis Lee

At the age of 16 Francis Lee made his debut as a right-winger with Bolton Wanderers in 1960 where he was soon spotted, and several First Division clubs vied for his services.

Manchester City succeeded in acquiring him in October 1967 for a fee of £60,000 and he soon became a firm favourite with City supporters. Lee's stocky frame and vigorous style brought him early success, and he totalled 112 goals in 248 League appearances with Manchester City.

Capped 27 times for England, amongst many other honours.

He moved to Derby County in 1974 for £100,000. A successful businessman off the field, he retired in 1976 having amassed 229 goals in 500 League games.

Since 1986 he has owned and trained racehorses.

 

Rodney Marsh

An individualist and classic ball controller, Rodney Marsh joined City in March 1972. Born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Marsh's played as an amateur with West Ham before joining Fulham and League Football in 1963 - later he moved to Craven Cottage and then Queens Park Rangers.

In all he played 142 League matches and scored 56 goals. While at Manchester City he also played for England on 8 occasions.

In January 1976 he moved to Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USA, before finally returning to Fulham where he ended his career.

 

Alan Oakes

Alan Oakes played 668 games for Manchester City, and was one of the club's most consistent performers during the 1960s and 70s.

Born in Winsford, Cheshire he joined Manchester City as an amateur in 1958 before turning professional in 1959.

Always a quiet and modest player, he can best be described as a "stalwart" in the team, who rarely offended or relied on flair - he was much more businesslike.

In July 1976 he signed to Chester for £15,000 and was player-manager, making a further 211 League appearances for that club up to March 1982 when he left.

Later coached at Port Vale.

 

Steve Redmond

A Liverpool boy who preferred an apprenticeship at Manchester City, Redmond signed up in November 1984, and made a meteoric rise within his first year in the team, playing a cool and strong central defensive position. Captain of City's Youth Team which won the Cup under him in 1986.

Became City's youngest ever team Captain and was voted Player of the Year in 1988. He was also Captain of England's Under-21 Team, having been a full England Youth International Player for several years.

Played in every game for 3 seasons before moving on to Oldham in August 1992.

He had already made 300 League and Cup appearances at was only 24 years old.

 

Don Revie

Born in Middlesborough, Revie had 2 football careers - one as a player, and the other, celebrated as it was controversial, as a Manager.

Moved to Manchester City in 1949 from Hull for a fee of £25,000.

In the 1954 season he was elected Player of the Year and he was capped 6 times for England.

In 1956 he moved to Sunderland and later became a player-manager at Leeds.

His success at lifting that club's fortunes was largely responsible for his appointment as Manager to the England National Team, but this was by no means successful and he resigned the post in controversial circumstances.

He died in May 1989.

 

Bert Trautmann

Born in Bremen, Germany, Bert Trautmann had to overcome many deep prejudices when he joined Manchester City in 1949.

However due to his great perseverance and his first rate goalkeeping over more than 500 League appearances, he gradually won the admiration and respect of the fans.

Having been a POW in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Trautmann had stayed on after the war, farming and playing for St Helens.

He was Football League Representative in 1956, won many honours, and made 2 FA Cup appearances.

Moved on to Wellington Town before becoming Manager of Stockport County for a time, and then went on to coach overseas.

 

Dennis Tueart

Tueart was a Newcastle Boys player from Tyneside, who joined Manchester City from Sunderland in March 1974.

This exciting and polished striker was much loved by fans for his exciting field play. He had been part of the League Cup winning City team of 1976.

From 1978 to 1980 he played for the New York Cosmos in the USA after a transfer fee of £250,000, but he returned to Manchester City and played in the 1981 FA Cup Final. He was capped by England 6 times, all while playing with City.

In July 1983 he left for Stoke City.