Bobby McAlinden

Robert McAlinden (born 22 May 1946) is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger in England, Northern Ireland, South Africa and the United States, making over 100 career appearances.

Bobby McAlinden
Personal information
Full name Robert McAlinden[1]
Date of birth (1946-05-22) 22 May 1946
Place of birth Salford, England
Playing position(s) Winger
Youth career
1961–1963 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1965 Manchester City 1 (0)
1965–1966 Port Vale 0 (0)
1966 Glentoran
Durban City
1976–1978 Los Angeles Aztecs 77 (9)
1977 → Bournemouth (loan) 1 (0)
1979 Memphis Rogues 14 (0)
1980–1981 San Jose Earthquakes (indoor) 18 (8)
Total 111 (17)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

McAlinden was born in Salford to Irish parents.[2] Between the age of 13 and 15 he played for Salford Boys. After interest from a number of League clubs, he joined Aston Villa,[3] but homesickness meant he soon returned.[2] A successful trial at Manchester City followed.[4] At City, McAlinden was in the same youth team as Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe. His sole Manchester City appearance came in a 3–2 defeat in the Football League to Preston North End in October 1963, at a time when the Manchester City squad was severely depleted by injury.[5] McAlinden was released by Manchester City at the end of the 1964–65 season, upon the expiry of his contract.[6] He then spent the summer in North America at the invitation of Roy Gratrix.[7] While in North America McAlinden met Stanley Matthews, who offered him a contract at Port Vale. McAlinden joined the club, but did not progress beyond the reserve team.[8]

From Port Vale, McAlinden joined Belfast club Glentoran. During the week McAlinden trained at Stockport County, and flew to Belfast on Fridays to play at the weekend. At Glentoran, McAlinden was part of the team that won the Irish Cup in 1966.[8] At the end of the season, he joined South African team Durban City. His stay in South Africa was brief, and upon his return to England he quit playing and became a roofer.[9] Five years later he returned to the game part-time with Stalybridge Celtic.[9]

McAlinden was friends with George Best through a mutual interest in gambling.[9] When Best joined the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League in 1975, he recommended McAlinden to Aztecs manager John Chaffetz.[10] McAlinden joined Best at the club in time for the 1976 season; the pair also shared a house. Given a second chance for a career in the sport, McAlinden played for the Aztecs for three years. Off the field, McAlinden, Best and three others bought a bar in Los Angeles. McAlinden eventually bought the others out, and owned the bar for 20 years.[11] McAlinden was also best man when Best married his first wife Angie Janes in 1978.[12]

When Rinus Michels became Aztecs coach in 1978, McAlinden found himself out of favour. He was traded to the Memphis Rogues, where his former Aztecs teammate Charlie Cooke was the coach.[11] McAlinden also played for Bournemouth, and the San Jose Earthquakes.[13] [14][15]

Statistics

Source:[16]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City1963–64Second Division10000010
Port Vale1965–66Fourth Division00000000
Los Angeles Aztecs1976NASL233––––233
1977NASL252––––252
1978NASL294––––294
Total 7790000779
Bournemouth (loan)1976–77Fourth Division10000010
Memphis Rogues1979NASL140––––140
San Jose Earthquakes1981NASL Indoor188––––188
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References
  1. "Bobby McAlinden". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. Schindler, Colin (2004). George Best and 21 Others. London: Headline. p. 99. ISBN 0-7553-1154-X.
  3. "Profile". Aston Villa Player Database.
  4. Schindler, George Best and 21 Others, p. 100.
  5. "Manchester City's late rally in vain". The Guardian. 21 October 1963. p. 12.
  6. "MANCHESTER CITY : 1946/47 – 2011/12". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  7. Schindler, George Best and 21 Others, p. 174.
  8. Schindler, George Best and 21 Others, p. 199.
  9. Schindler, George Best and 21 Others, p. 307.
  10. David Tossell (2003). "9". Playing for Uncle Sam: The Brits' Story of the North American Soccer League. Edinburgh: Mainstream. ISBN 1-84018-748-4.
  11. Schindler, George Best and 21 Others, p. 308.
  12. Joe Lovejoy and George Best (1999). Bestie. London: Pan MacMillan. p. 284. ISBN 0-330-36750-1.
  13. "Profile". NASL Jerseys.
  14. "BOURNEMOUTH : 1946/47 – 2011/12". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  15. "Bob McAlinden". The Memphis Rogues. thememphisrogues.
  16. Bobby McAlinden at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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