Alan Arthur Oakes was born on 7 September 1942 and is an English former footballer who holds Manchester City's all-time record for appearances.
20 Facts About Alan Oakes
1.
2.
Alan Oakes is a cousin of former teammate Glyn Pardoe, an uncle of defender Chris Blackburn, and the father of former goalkeeper Michael Oakes.
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Alan Oakes joined Manchester City as an amateur in 1958, turning professional and making his debut a year later.
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Alan Oakes was appointed player-manager at Chester in 1976 and led the club to victory in the Debenhams Cup in 1977.
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Alan Oakes left the club in March 1982 and then played one FA Cup game for Northwich Victoria and one league game for Port Vale.
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Alan Oakes left the game after coaching spells at Port Vale and then Chester.
7.
Alan Oakes signed for Manchester City on amateur terms in 1958 at the age of fifteen, signing as a professional a year later; he cleaned the boots of legendary goalkeeper Bert Trautmann.
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Alan Oakes played alongside other club legends such as Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, and Neil Young.
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Alan Oakes was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1975.
10.
Amongst footballing figures of his era, Alan Oakes was renowned for his professionalism; the great Liverpool manager Bill Shankly described him as "exactly the kind of player youngsters should use as a model".
11.
Alan Oakes made 680 league and cup appearances for Manchester City, scoring 33 goals.
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Alan Oakes was inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame in 2005.
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Alan Oakes was to be player-manager throughout his six years with the club, where he continued to break playing appearance records.
14.
Alan Oakes gave the legendary Ian Rush his big break in the professional game, handing him his Chester debut in April 1979.
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Alan Oakes left the club in March 1982 and never again managed in the Football League.
16.
Alan Oakes made an FA Cup appearance for Northwich Victoria against Scunthorpe United in December 1982.
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Alan Oakes then became part of the coaching staff with Port Vale, serving as reserve team manager from January 1983.
18.
Alan Oakes is the best-known member of a prominent football family.
19.
Alan Oakes's cousin Glyn Pardoe was a member of the Manchester City side in the 1960s and 70s.
20.
Alan Oakes's son Michael is a professional footballer who has played for Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City as a goalkeeper.