This is a gallery dedicated to revisiting the exploits of the players who once regularly graced our back pages.
Finally, a word of warning to readers who are too young to remember the world before colour (never mind digital) photography became de rigeur: many of the photographs here are black and white.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Malcolm Allison (September 5, 1927 – October 14, 2010): Flamboyant English player and manager. He played at Charlton Athletic (1945–51) and West Ham United (1951–57). Here, Allison poses at The Valley on April 22, 1949.
Malcolm Allison (September 5, 1927 – October 14, 2010): Extensive management career took in Bath City (1963–64), Toronto City (1964), Plymouth Argyle (1964–65), Manchester City, assistant (1965–72), Manchester City (1972–73), Crystal Palace (1973–76), Galatasaray (1976–77), Plymouth Argyle (1978–79), Manchester City (1979–80), Crystal Palace (1980–81), Yeovil Town (1981), Sporting CP (1981–82), Middlesbrough (1982–84), Kuwait (1985–86), Vitória de Setúbal (1986–88), SC Farense (1988), Bristol Rovers (1992–93). Here, as Crystal Palace manager Allison holds up three fingers to the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge, to indicate how many goals his side would go on to score. Palace won the Feb. 14, 1976 match 3 – 2.
Sir Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933 – July 31, 2009): Played for Fulham (1950–56), West Bromwich Albion (1956–62), Fulham (1962–67) and Vancouver Royals (1967–68). Here, Robson (striped shirt) playing for West Bromwich Albion intrudes between John Barnwell and Bill Dodgin of Arsenal in a game at Highbury on Nov. 28, 1959.
Sir Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933 – July 31, 2009): Scored 133 goals in 583 England-based club playing appearances. Here, Robson works on his technique at Craven Cottage on Aug. 27, 1953.
Sir Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933 – July 31, 2009): Also made 20 appearances for England, scoring four goals. Here, Robson shields the ball from Brazil's Mazola during the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Sir Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933 – July 31, 2009): Enjoyed an extensive club management career that took in Fulham (1968), Ipswich Town (1969–82), PSV Eindhoven (1990–92), Sporting (1992–94), Porto (1994–96), Barcelona (1996–97), PSV Eindhoven (1998–99), Newcastle United (1999–04). Here, Robson awaits kick-off of a European tie between newcastle and Feyenoord at St James' Park on Sept. 24, 2002.
Sir Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933 – July 31, 2009): He also had a lengthy stint as England manager 1982–90. Here, Robson answers questions at a press conference ahead of the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany at the Stadio Delle Alpi on July 4, 1990.
Sir Bobby Robson (February 18, 1933 – July 31, 2009): Managerial career highlights included winning the FA and UEFA Cups with Ipswich Town. Here, he celebrates Town's FA Cup semi-final victory over West Brom with players (left to right) Alan Hunter, Kevin Beattie and Paul Mariner on April 8, 1978.
David Will (November 20, 1936 – September 25, 2009): Scottish football administrator who held a number of posts including Chairman of Brechin City, President of the Scottish Football Association and Fifa Vice President. Here, as chairman of the Fifa Ticketing Sub-Committee Will addresses ticketing media seminar in Johannesburg on February 18, 2009.
Terry Bly (October 22, 1935 - September 24, 2009): English forward who played for Norwich City (1956-60), Peterborough United (1960-62), Coventry City (1962-63), Notts County (1963-64) and Grantham Town (1964-70) where he was player-manager before retiring from playing to become the Grantham Town manager (1970-78). Here, Bly (right) looks on as Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper John Hollowbread saves under pressure from fellow Norwich City player Terry Allcock during the FA Cup fifth-round match on Feb. 14, 1959.
