Bobby Cunliffe

As understudy to Welsh International Roy Clarke, Bobby Cunliffe — a former motor mechanic — got few chances at Manchester City. In more than 10 seasons at Maine Road, he made just 44 First Division appearances — his best spell being in 1952–53 when he had 20 games on the wing. Bobby was a regular in City’s Central League side, scoring 77 goals in 202 matches for the Reserves where he was often partnered on the left-wing by Gordon Davies (q.v.). He was Chesterfield’s second top goalscorer in 1956–57 with 14 goals in 43 games though doing his training at Haig Avenue. He had the distinction of scoring Southport’s first goal in the Fourth Division, but saw little League action after Wally Fielding replaced Trevor Hitchen as manager. His remaining career was spent in non-League football and he now lives in retirement in Bryn, near Wigan.