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Bill Leivers South West Branch President
 With Shaun Goater no longer with Manchester City and, in fact, no longer resident in the UK, it was decided at the most recent AGM that we should approach another personality with regard to becoming the President of the South West Branch.
As you will be aware from the minutes of that meeting it was decided to approach David James because of his connections to this part of the world. Unfortunately, shortly after this decision David James was transferred to Portsmouth and our request was withdrawn.
It was then brought to my attention that former City player, Bill Leivers, was now living in Cornwall and, with the kind assistance of the Cornish Guardian newspaper, contact was made with Bill and a request was made for him to become our figurehead. I am absolutely delighted to confirm that our invitation was accepted and, with the blessing of the Supporters Club, Bill Leivers is now our President.
I am sure all members would like to welcome Bill to the branch and it is hoped to meet with Bill in the not too distant future. |
Bill Leivers: Profile
 | Bill Leivers (above, right) assists Dave Ewing in escorting Bert Trautmann from the pitch at Wembley Stadium following City's 1956 FA Cup Final victory.
Position: Defender
Height: 6ft 2in
Born: Bolsover
Signed from Chesterfield 27/11/53
Transferred: Doncaster Rovers 10/07/64
Debut: Preston North End (A) 21/08/54 (Lost 0-5)
Appearances: League 250 (4 goals) FA Cup 20 (0 goals) League Cup 11 (0 goals) Charity Shield 1 (0 goals) Total: 282 appearances (4 goals)
Centre-half Bill Leivers joined City from Third Division (North) side Chesterfield for a fee of £10,500 in November 1953 after just 27 appearances for the Spireites, and within two years he had played in an FA Cup winning side. Immediately after the 1956 Final City’s star forward Don Revie told journalists: “If I must pick one man out it would be Bill Leivers. He had two pain killing injections on his sprained ankle, yet he played the game of his life. Many of our attacking moves stemmed from his intelligent passing which switched defence to attack.” This opinion is supported by the fact that Leivers was voted City’s most influential player in that Cup Final victory by his fellow players although you might be forgiven for thinking otherwise given the plaudits Don Revie, as deep lying Centre-Forward, and Bert Trautmann have subsequently received.
Leivers played as a right-back in that Final but later in his career he was moved to the number-five shirt. It was, however, at full back where Leivers won many admirers for his whole-heartedness and determination. He remained a blue July 1964, and was the last of the great fifties side to appear regularly for City (Bert Trautmann and Joe Hayes made infrequent appearances during Leivers’s last season).
After leaving Maine Road Bill Leivers became player-manager of Doncaster Rovers, but resigned after guiding them to the top of the old Division Four, and followed this with a period as manager of Cambridge United when they climbed from the Southern League to Division Three. Interestingly, he was succeeded by Ron Atkinson at the Abbey Ground. Bill also had spells at Chelmsford City and Cambridge City.
He attended Maine Road during its last season and around the same time he moved to Cornwall.
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