Alan Vickers

[Tez]

Apologies if it’s been posted elsewhere (can’t see it if it is), but I noted that the news reported on social media the sad passing of Alan Vickers, former Vics player in the early/mid 70’s. My abiding memory (without consulting “A Team for all Seasons”) was a hat-trick at Canal Street against Runcorn FC. As I recall the pitch was ankle deep in mud and Vickers (aka the Flying Pig) played a blinder. Anyone of a certain age able to confirm my recollections ?

 

[James Wood]

Apologies if it’s been posted elsewhere (can’t see it if it is), but I noted that the news reported on social media the sad passing of Alan Vickers, former Vics player in the early/mid 70’s. My abiding memory (without consulting “A Team for all Seasons”) was a hat-trick at Canal Street against Runcorn FC. As I recall the pitch was ankle deep in mud and Vickers (aka the Flying Pig) played a blinder. Anyone of a certain age able to confirm my recollections ?

I can’t recall the game itself Tez, but I can recall Alan as he was playing as I started watching Vics.

I recall that he was a butcher from Leek or around there and yes it certainly looked as if he was no stranger to the odd full English!

But like Phil Gee, he was a far better footballer than his appearance suggested!

 

[Timberman]

I remember playing against him in the late 60’s, when he played for Kidsgrove.
A no- nonsense centre forward, and prolific goal scorer.

 

[virgil caine]

Phil Gee what a player he was. worked with Phil at ICI he could be a bit moody on the pitch if it was not going well. but can confirm what James says that Phil was partial to the odd pie or three.

 

[Alan M]

Your memory's nearly right, Tez - Alan Vickers got all 4 goals that day. One of the more memorable encounters with Runcorn, and I think you're right about the mudbath. I think he'd qualify nowadays for the description "quite a unit", but I imagine he was a bit of a handful to play against. Sad news.

 

[Tez]

Had a feeling it was four goals deep down. A 4-3 win, i’m guessing, as i’ve only managed a brief glimpse in “A Team for all seasons”? Must have been a quite a match, mind you as a school age fan back then, they all were.
Testing my memory still further, was it played on a Sunday? Not sure it was the usual Bank Holiday fixture date.

 

[Davidedgeley]

I was at that Runcorn and Alan was outstanding that day RIP.

 

[Alan M]

It was Feb 3rd 1973, att 658, which google tells me was a Saturday, but not a Bank Hol fixture! Boxing Day was Fleetwood at home (2-2).
The return Runcorn fixture was March 17th - also not Easter (just checked). Won 2-1 (Alan Vickers only managed 2 that day), att 784.

What would we do without ATFAS?!