Mick Metcalf Chester FC Legend
While we’re on the subject of local football legends, it was great sadness that I am posting about the sad passing of Chester FC legend, Mick Metcalf.
Chester FC Legend
To those of us old of us that can remember ‘proper’ football, will fondly remember true footballing legends like Mick Metcalf. When I say ‘proper’ football I am of course referring to those days gone by when football was more about enjoyment. And not money only.
None of this pink, yellow, lime green boots type of thing. No knee sliding goal celebrations. Football played at normal kick-off times like 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.
I was having a conversation with a fellow football supporter the other day and we were both bemoaning modern day football. We don’t support the same team – quite the opposite really!!. But we both have season tickets for our respective clubs we follow.
Kick-off times of 8pm on a Monday evening!!! Or, 4pm on a Sunday. What’s that all about for fans who have to travel to these games.
Anyway, I’m off on a tangent again.
The Famous Five
Chester FC legend, Mick Metcalf, was a member of that famous Chester FC forward line from the mid sixties.
What famous forward line, some of a certain tender age may be asking?
Well, in case you didn’t know, back in the 1964/65 season, Chester had a forward line of Jimmy Humes (outside-right); Mick Metcalf (inside-right); Gary Talbot (centre-forward); Hugh Ryden (inside-left) and Elfed Morris (outside-left).
What’s an inside-right and an inside-left are you musing? Go Google it, you’ll be impressed.
In that season Chester scored an incredible 119 league goals in the old 4th Division (League 2 nowadays). They netted 141 in all competitions. Yes, that’s right, 141. That is a stunning total.
And even more incredibly, each one of those mentioned above scored a minimum of 20 goals each. Micky Metcalf’s contribution to that incredible haul was 37.
The forward line was lethal, ably led by centre-forward Gary Talbot. He himself also had a fascinating career in football and like Mick Metcalf, a successful career outside the game. I wrote an article about Gary Talbot a few months ago. You can read it HERE.
FA Cup 3rd Round
Also, in that season, Chester played Manchester United in an FA Cup 3rd round tie at Old Trafford. Mick Metcalf was a member of the Chester team that day. Chester even took the lead through Jimmy Humes after 9 minutes and were still ahead at half-time.
Goals by Albert Kinsey and a certain George Best in the 2nd half saw Manchester United limp home 2-1.
Mick Metcalf’s Career
In all Metcalf played 221 league games for Chester, scoring 68 goals. Chester signed him for a sizeable amount of £5,000 in those days from local rivals, Wrexham, in 1963.
He also played 121 league games for Wrexham, scoring 58 goals.
Other clubs he turned out for were Altrincham, Bangor, Rhyl, Connahs Quay Nomads and Witton Albion.
His football career began at Wrexham, who he joined as a part-timer as he was still studying for a Chemistry degree in the early days of his football career. He also ran a chemical firm, Metlab Supplies. A company that is still today in his family’s ownership.
Mike (Mick, or Micky) Metcalf sadly passed away on Boxing Day at the age of 79. He was without doubt a true Chester FC legend.
