Alan Oakes

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Lore & Background

Oakes joined Manchester City as an amateur in 1958, turning professional and making his debut a year later. He picked up numerous honours at the club, including a European Cup Winners' Cup winner's medal in 1970, a First Division and Second Division championship medal in 1967–68 and 1965–66 respectively, an FA Cup winner's medal in 1969, two League Cup winner's medals in 1970 and 1976, and FA Charity Shield winner's medals in 1968 and 1972. He was appointed player-manager at Chester in 1976 and led the club to victory in the Debenhams Cup in 1977. He left the club in March 1982 and then played one FA Cup game for Northwich Victoria and one league game for Port Vale. He left the game after coaching spells at Port Vale and then Chester.

In Their Own Story

Oakes played in the 1969 FA Cup final, helping City to their fourth FA Cup title with a 1–0 win over Leicester City. Though he never won a full international cap, he represented the Football League against the Scottish League in 1969. In 1969–70, he featured 49 times in English domestic competitions, playing in the League Cup final at Wembley that ended in a 2–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, and also in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup, which ended in a 2–1 victory over Górnik Zabrze at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna. His final honour with the club was the League Cup medal he picked up in 1976, with a 2–1 victory over Newcastle United. His last appearance for Manchester City came on 4 May 1976, coming on as substitute for Mike Doyle against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. He made 680 league and cup appearances for Manchester City, scoring 33 goals.

Reader's Guide

Alan Oakes is best known for his record 680 league and cup appearances for Manchester City, scoring 33 goals. He was inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2005. His career also included a stint as player-manager at Chester, where he led the club to the Debenhams Cup in 1977. He later coached at Port Vale and Chester.

Did You Know?

• Oakes made his Manchester City debut on 14 November 1959 in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea.
• He was voted Manchester City's Player of the Year in 1975.
• Oakes gave Ian Rush his professional debut at Chester in April 1979.
• His 776th Football League appearance came for Port Vale at age 41 years and 60 days.