Malcolm Bailey (footballer, born 1950) explained

Malcolm Bailey
Fullname:Malcolm Roy Bailey
Birth Date:14 April 1950
Birth Place:Biddulph, England
Position:Centre-half
Right-half
Youthclubs1:Port Vale
Years1:1967–1970
Clubs1:Port Vale
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:1970–197?
Clubs2:Northwich Victoria
Years3:197?–1977
Clubs3:Runcorn
Years4:1977–1983
Clubs4:Altrincham
Caps4:174
Goals4:9
Years5:1983–1984
Years6:1984
Clubs6:Hyde United
Caps6:18
Goals6:0

Malcolm Roy Bailey (14 April 1950 – 14 November 2017) was an English footballer who played as a centre-half.

He failed to establish himself in the Football League with Port Vale, and so went into non-League football with Northwich Victoria and Runcorn in the 1970s. He played for Altrincham between 1977 and 1983, where he won two Alliance Premier League titles and Cheshire Senior Cup and FA Trophy titles. He later played for Telford United and Hyde United.

Career

Early career

Born in Biddulph, Bailey graduated through the Port Vale youth side to sign as a professional in May 1967.[1] His Fourth Division debut came on 21 April 1969, in a 1–0 home win over Grimsby Town.[1] He was only to play once more however, before being given a free transfer in May 1970.[1] He moved on to Northwich Victoria of the Northern Premier League, and then switched to league rivals Runcorn.[1]

Altrincham

Bailey signed with Altrincham, also of the Northern Premier League, for the 1977–78 season, and formed a partnership with John Owens.[2] In his first season, he scored the winning goal against former club Runcorn that booked "Alty" a place in the 1978 FA Trophy final. In the final, Altrincham beat Leatherhead 3–1. The following season the club finished second in the Northern Premier League, and Bailey played in the FA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, but missed the replay due to injury. In the 1979–80 campaign he helped the club to claim the inaugural Alliance Premier League title and the third round of the FA Cup. The following season he picked up his second championship medal, though he began to miss an increasing amount of games due to injury. The next season he helped the club to reach the 1982 FA Trophy final and to lift the Cheshire Senior Cup. He struggled with injury at Moss Lane, though still managed to make 262 appearances for the club, scoring 20 goals.

Later career

Bailey signed with Telford United, also of the Alliance Premier League, for the 1983–84 campaign. He signed for Hyde United in 1984, making his debut in a 4–1 win over Southport.[3] He spent just half a season with the club, making 21 appearances in all competitions.[4]

Personal life

In addition to his footballing career, Bailey worked in the engineering trade.[5] [4] His son, Michael (born 1985), also played for Altrincham.[6]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale1968–69Fourth Division20000020
Altrincham1977–78Northern Premier League37111182560
1978–79Northern Premier League31231101440
1979–80Alliance Premier League32141122480
1980–81Alliance Premier League28140101420
1981–82Alliance Premier League18110121310
1982–83Alliance Premier League2632070350
1983–84Alliance Premier League20002140
Total174915369825820
Hyde United1984–85Northern Premier League1802010210

Honours

Altrincham

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kent, Jeff. Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. 14. 1996. 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. Web site: Mal Bailey . Rowley . Terry . Bill Coop . lusa.u-net.com . 18 October 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110929132529/http://www.lusa.u-net.com/legend11.htm . 29 September 2011 .
  3. Web site: Match Details: Southport 1 Hyde United 4. Hyde Football Club: Database. 4 November 2012.
  4. Web site: Player Statistics: Mal Bailey. Hyde Football Club: Database. 4 November 2012.
  5. Web site: Altrincham FC players of 1979–80 . altrinchamfc.co.uk . 19 October 2011.
  6. Web site: Altrincham FC . altrinchamfc.co.uk . 18 March 2023.
  7. Web site: Altrincham FC Legends . lusaweb.co.uk . 19 March 2023.