Malcolm Allison, who has died at the age of 83, started his playing career at Charlton Athletic before joining West Ham in 1951. His career at the highest level was ended when he contracted tuberculosis in 1957
After gaining experience in Bath, Toronto and Plymouth Allison was recruited as an assistant by Manchester City manager Joe Mercer in 1965 and together they presided over the greatest era in the club's history
Allison was ahead of his time in many ways - not only was he tactically astute, he was also no great respecter of authority. In 1969, he attended an FA hearing after using foul and abusive language towards a referee
Allison, who took sole charge in 1971, helped City to a league title (1967-68), an FA Cup (1969), a League Cup (1970) and a Cup Winners' Cup (1970), before leaving to join Crystal Palace in March 1973
During Allison's tenure Palace were relegated in successive seasons, although his stamp on the club was permanent - he changed their nickname from 'The Glaziers' to 'The Eagles' as well as changing their strip
It wasn't all doom and gloom at Selhurst Park during Allison's reign - what would become his trademark fedora and sheepskin coat were always on display during third division Palace's run to an FA Cup semi-final in 1976
Allison returned to City in 1979 but his second spell at the club wasn't a happy one - he offloaded favourites such as Peter Barnes and squandered a British record fee on Steve Daley before rejoining Palace in 1980
Allison won a league and cup double with Sporting Lisbon of Portugal in 1981-82 but his career went downhill from there, with spells with Kuwait, Vitoria Setubal, SC Farense and Fisher Athletic (pictured) to come
While Allison is remembered more for his flamboyance than any successes, he was adored by many. "I looked up to him," said Bobby Moore, who was trained by Allison at West Ham, "it's not too strong to say I loved him."
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