Colin Gale Explained

Colin Gale
Fullname:Colin Maurice Gale
Birth Date:31 August 1932
Birth Place:Pontypridd, Wales
Death Place:Rhydyfelin, Wales
Position:Defender
Years1:1950–1956
Years2:1956–1961
Clubs1:Cardiff City
Clubs2:Northampton Town
Caps1:12
Caps2:211
Goals1:0
Goals2:0
Totalcaps:223
Totalgoals:0

Colin Maurice Gale (31 August 1932 – 27 October 2008) was a Welsh professional footballer who made over 200 appearances in The Football League between 1950 and 1961.

Career

A centre half, Gale began his career with Cardiff City in 1950 but was forced to wait until January 1954 before making his debut for the club in a 3–0 win over Manchester City as a right back. Unable to hold down a regular first team spot, Gale made the last of his 13 appearances in all competitions for the club during a 9–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 1955 before leaving to join Third Division South side Northampton Town in March 1956,[1] as part of a deal involving teammate Roley Williams.[2]

He quickly established himself in the Northampton first team, going on to make over 200 appearances for the club and was part of the side that gained promotion to Division Three in the 1960–61 season. He decided to leave the club at the end of the season in order to secure more job security for his family, moving to Wisbech.[2]

After retirement

Gale later moved to Australia,[3] before returning to Wales where he ran a hotel. He died on 27 October 2008 at the age of 76.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hayes, Dean . The Who's Who of Cardiff City . Breedon Books . 2006 . 70–71 . Derby . 1-85983-462-0 .
  2. Web site: Colin Gale (1932-2008) . Northampton Town F.C. . 5 November 2008 . 13 April 2010 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090603092225/http://www.ntfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10425~1444191%2C00.html . 3 June 2009 .
  3. Web site: Colin Gale . Australian Player Database . 13 April 2010.