Malcolm Alexander Allison was an English football player and manager. Nicknamed "Big Mal", he was one of English football's most flamboyant and intriguing characters because of his panache, fedora and cigar, controversies off the pitch and outspoken nature. Allison's managerial potential become apparent while in his youth at West Ham United, where he became a reliable defender and acted as a mentor to the younger players including future England World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore. His playing career was cut short in 1958 when he had to have a lung removed because of tuberculosis. As a coach he is remembered for assisting manager Joe Mercer in the transformation of the team he supported as a young boy - Manchester City. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Allison won seven trophies in seven years with Joe Mercer. After Mercer left, he went on to manage the club on two occasions whilst offering his managerial services for a third time in 1989. He went on to manage several more English sides, as well as three in Portugal and the Kuwait national team. 

September 5th, 1927 in Dartford  /  Died:   Oct 15th, 2010