18 Facts About Mick Channon

Michael Roger Channon was born on 28 November 1948 and is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward, most notably for Southampton, and went on to represent the England national team in the 1970s.

Mick Channon was born in Orcheston, Wiltshire and made his debut for Southampton as a 17-year-old in 1966, scoring in a match against Bristol City.

Mick Channon stayed loyal to Southampton despite obvious concerns for his international chances and was rewarded in 1976 which was a special year for Mick Channon.

Mick Channon scored just 12 goals in his first season and 11 in his second.

Mick Channon went back to Southampton in September 1979.

Mick Channon joined Newcastle United in 1982 after playing 510 games for Southampton over two spells, scoring a total of 185 goals placing him top of the club's list of all-time goalscorers.

Mick Channon lasted barely a month at Newcastle before joining Bristol Rovers.

Mick Channon joined Portsmouth and Finn Harps, before retiring from the game in 1986.

Mick Channon played in a series of post-season friendlies for England, scoring in three of them and was kept in the side the following October as England began their campaign to qualify for the 1976 European Championships.

In March 1977, Mick Channon scored twice as England beat Luxembourg at Wembley to get their World Cup campaign back on track; Luxembourg were the 'whipping boys' of the group and England would later need to demolish Luxembourg by a similar or better scoreline in Luxembourg to give themselves a chance of overhauling Italy and qualifying for the World Cup.

Mick Channon was not selected for his country again; his international career ended with 46 appearances and a healthy 21 goals.

Mick Channon always had an interest in horse racing during his football career.

Mick Channon then moved to the West Ilsley stables near Newbury, formerly owned by the Queen, and began to increase his number of horses, eventually ending up with almost 200.

Mick Channon is one of the sport's most respected trainers, though has yet to produce a winner of one of the British Classic Races.

On 27 August 2008, Mick Channon was involved and injured in a motorway accident on the M1.

Mick Channon was travelling from the Doncaster Sales to his West Ilsley stables in Berkshire when the accident happened.

Mick Channon was reported to have suffered a punctured lung and broken arm and jaw.

Mick Channon was the subject of This Is Your Life in 2001 when he was surprised by Michael Aspel while being interviewed at his West Ilsley racing stables near Newbury.