Portsmouth in mourning following the death of defender Malcolm Manley

Tributes are being paid to Malcolm Manley, after the former Pompey defender died at the age of 70.
Malcolm Manley. Picture: Portsmouth FCMalcolm Manley. Picture: Portsmouth FC
Malcolm Manley. Picture: Portsmouth FC

Manley made 16 appearances at Fratton Park after signing from Leicester for £45,000 in 1973, before injury cut short his career.

The centre-back was a great Scottish hope when emerging as a youngster, captaining Scotland schooboys before moving to Filbert Street as a teenager instead of Liverpool.

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Manley made his top-flight debut for the Foxes in 1968 and appeared in the FA Cup final the following year against Manchester City.

He was tempted to Fratton Park, however, where there were high hopes for the defensive partnership of the man from Renfrewshire and fellow new boy Paul Went.

Manley made his debut against Bristol City but was to sever a cartilage in his knee at Notts County in February 1974 - which led to him making just one more appearance.

He did go on to play in Australia and South Africa after stepping out of top-level football and was granted a testimonial in 1976, when Leicester came to Fratton Park and were defeated 3-1.

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Pompey stalwart Barry Harris paid tribute to Manley’s quality and the the class of his partnership with Went.

He said: ‘Malcolm was a brilliant defender who had one heck of a footballing brain.

‘He had a great partnership with Paul Went. Paul would stick his head in everywhere and Malcolm was the footballing centre-half.

‘Malcolm played in our FA Cup run in the year he was here and we got results in 14 of the 16 games he played.

‘He was also a lovely bloke who I’m sure will be missed.’

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