Alan Oakes

Lore & Background

Oakes joined Manchester City as an amateur in 1958, turning professional and making his debut a year later. His first-team debut came under Les McDowall on 14 November 1959, in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea. He went on to play 18 First Division matches in 1959–60. He made 51 appearances in 1965–66, as new manager Joe Mercer (and assistant Malcolm Allison) led City to the Second Division title.

He played alongside other club legends such as Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, and Neil Young. He played in all but one of the matches in City's title-winning season in 1967–68. He played in the FA Cup final in 1969, helping City to a 1–0 win over Leicester City. He played in the League Cup final in 1970, a 2–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, and in the European Cup Winners' Cup final, a 2–1 victory over Górnik Zabrze.

His final honour with the club was the League Cup medal 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 Manchester United at Old Trafford. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1975. He made 680 league and cup appearances for Manchester City, scoring 33 goals.

Oakes moved to Chester in the summer of 1976, becoming player-manager. He led Chester to the Debenhams Cup title in 1977. He left Chester in March 1982. He made an FA Cup appearance for Northwich Victoria in December 1982.

He then served as reserve team manager at Port Vale from January 1983, and made one final Football League appearance during an injury crisis – his 776th match in the league. At 41 years and 60 days old, he was unable to prevent the injury-ravaged team from losing to Plymouth Argyle 1–0. He was sacked in December 1983, brought back as a coach in August 1984, demoted to youth coach in December 1987, and resigned in protest. In 1992, he returned to Chester on the coaching staff, and in 1993–94 assisted Graham Barrow and Joe Hinnigan as Chester were promoted to the Second Division.

Reader's Guide

Alan Oakes is best known as Manchester City's all-time appearance record holder, with 680 league and cup appearances for the club. He won numerous honours including the First Division title in 1967–68, the FA Cup in 1969, the League Cup in 1970 and 1976, and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1970. He was voted Manchester City's Player of the Year in 1975. He later became player-manager at Chester, leading them to the Debenhams Cup in 1977. His final Football League appearance was his 776th, at age 41 years and 60 days, for Port Vale against Plymouth Argyle.