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SimplyThe Best
| What can one say about one of the greatest footballers the World has ever known. Wilf Mannion, sadly, a past parishioner of St Albans, is still revered by many great footballers, both past and present, as being a great dribbler of the ball, a great dummier of the ball and a great finisher.Such was his respect in the game the great Pele invited him to Brazil along with other England greats to pass on their skills to a Brazilian football Acadamy run by Pele. Wilf, a very quiet man who lived for his wife and family displayed skills that mesmarized thousands over the years and made sure he would be at the forefront of England's greats alongside Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright etc.From the gentlemanly Sir Matt Busby to the bolshie Jack Charlton and Brian Clough,(who modelled himself on Wilf's skill),when they met Wilf, were surprised by his mild manner and gentlemanly attitude at all times.He let the ball do the talking but that's not to say he didn't stand up for himself when the need arose and maybe his outspokenness in a Sunday Newspaper, mainly about the need to better himself and earn more money in the game that was attracting gates of 46000 was the turning point in what had been a glittering career at both Middlesbrough and England.One could talk to Wilf for hours about the game and his past and not be bored. From humble beginnings in South Bank nothing impressed him providing his wife and family were happy.His name will live on in the tune written and performed by our very own Vin Garbutt and by many who had the priveledge of saying "I WAS THERE WHEN WILF SCORED FOUR".. |  |
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His early years
| Wilf is seated in the middle of the front and all the other boys were older than him.On the left of the three men is Mr Andrew Skillen, who was Headmaster of St Peters RC Junior School, in Napier St, South Bank. To the right is Mr Joe Mc Cullagh, then PE teacher at the school who spotted the little mans ability and encouraged him by playing him in games at an older level.It wasn't long before scouts from the great teams in the country were running the rule over "WINKY"as was his nickname at the time.When he left school he had to earn some money, so he took a job at Smiths Dock as an apprentice welder, still playing football in the evening and at weekends. Middlesbrough Football Club offered him a career in football and as the money was better, both him and his family agreed to the terms and he joined Boro in 1937 and the rest is History. |  |
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bubble gum memories
In 1952-53 Chix Confectionery Co Ltd of London issued a series of cards of famous Football stars and No 25 is Wilf Mannion. On the back it reads
WILF MANNION.(Middlesbrough and England)
Golden haired Mannion is perhaps the finest tactition to have played inside forward for England in the last decade.His ball control and shooting ability made him an automatic choice as partner to either Finney or Matthews in the England team. He saved his club from relegation almost unaided recently.
The card was a treasured keepsake of my fathers who was a good friend of Wilf's for many years. |  |
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Appreciation
I would like to thank Wilf's family for providing the following photo's.Thanks-Ged. |
Get in There
 | | Wilf takes a shot and the opposition stand off. |
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A Familiar Pose
 | | Wilf in action |
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England Team
 | | The England team with Wilf to the right of the captain George Hardwick.Can you name the rest? |
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Training in the Snow
 | | Wilf and his team mates jog round Ayresome Park in the snow. |
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Wilf's Wedding
 | | Wilf and Bernadette pose outside St Philomena's Church,in Linthorpe Rd,Middlesbrough (Sacred Heart) on their Wedding Day. |
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My Dad's Hero
 | | Prime Minister Tony Blair meets Wilf and confides in him, that he had been brought up, listening to his father, talking about this great footballer, Wilf Mannion and what a great pleasure it is, to meet him at last. |
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A Very Proud Man
 | | Wilf was very proud to receive an Honarary Degree from Teesside University |
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Freedom of the Borough
 | | Wilf,pictured with his proud family, was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland, for his services to sport. |
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The England Greats
 | | This photo will take some time to spot the heroes of the English game.Wilf is to the left of Stanley Matthews.Also on the photo amongst other greats are Brian Robson (far right) and Malcolm McDonald next to him. |
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Wilf and Mo Mowlam
 | | Wilf with Mo Mowlam,two people who were great ambassadors for Redcar. |
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