Post by jupu on Aug 6, 2018 22:46:39 GMT
Former City player Cliff Huxford has died at the age of 81.
Half back Cliff was born in Stroud on 8 June 1937, Cliff started his career in 1953 as an apprentice with Chelsea, turning professional in February 1955. He quickly became part of a quite exceptional team of young reserve players that during the next five years was used to develop Peter Brabrook, Jimmy Greaves, Terry Venables, Bobby Tambling, John Mortimore and Ron Harris for League football. Given that quality of competition for places, Cliff found that his first team opportunities were limited. After only 6 Football League appearances, he was transferred to Southampton in May 1959, used as part exchange in the deal that took Charlie Livesey from Southampton to Chelsea.
At Southampton, Cliff rapidly became team captain. He achieved immediate success with a Division 3 Champions medal in 1959/60. One of his team mates was Derek Reeves, later signed by Worcester as a replacement for John Fairbrother for season 1965/66. In eight years at Southampton, Cliff went on to make a total of 316 appearances (4 goals) as Southampton progressed up the ladder to Division 1 in season 1966/67. Given a free transfer in May 1967, Cliff moved along the South Coast to sign for Exeter City. After one season there he became involved in a contract dispute after refusing to live locally, and as a result his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Although aged 35, Cliff was still very highly rated and Worcester beat a counter offer from Reading to obtain his signature.
At Worcester, Cliff became a member of a massively experienced side. Cliff, Eddie Stuart, Ivor Allchurch, Harry Middleton, Brayley Reynolds and (later in the season) George Kirby had a combined total of 2318 Football League appearances. The non league players at Worcester included long serving men Howard Madley, Bobby McEwan, George Bassett, Paddy Mullen and Ally Brack. Sadly, despite their vast experience, the players never fully blended as a team, although 1968/69 was a good season in which City finished a creditable fifth in a high quality Southern League.
Always a very competitive player, Cliff Huxford was ever present until he was suspended in April 1969. Displaced by Bobby McEwan, Cliff could not win his first team place back and, after 52 appearances (1 goal) he got a free transfer in May 1969.
Cliff spent the next few years coaching or managing a number of teams in Hampshire and son Clive carried on the family tradition as a defender with Waterlooville and Fareham in the 80s and 90s.
Half back Cliff was born in Stroud on 8 June 1937, Cliff started his career in 1953 as an apprentice with Chelsea, turning professional in February 1955. He quickly became part of a quite exceptional team of young reserve players that during the next five years was used to develop Peter Brabrook, Jimmy Greaves, Terry Venables, Bobby Tambling, John Mortimore and Ron Harris for League football. Given that quality of competition for places, Cliff found that his first team opportunities were limited. After only 6 Football League appearances, he was transferred to Southampton in May 1959, used as part exchange in the deal that took Charlie Livesey from Southampton to Chelsea.
At Southampton, Cliff rapidly became team captain. He achieved immediate success with a Division 3 Champions medal in 1959/60. One of his team mates was Derek Reeves, later signed by Worcester as a replacement for John Fairbrother for season 1965/66. In eight years at Southampton, Cliff went on to make a total of 316 appearances (4 goals) as Southampton progressed up the ladder to Division 1 in season 1966/67. Given a free transfer in May 1967, Cliff moved along the South Coast to sign for Exeter City. After one season there he became involved in a contract dispute after refusing to live locally, and as a result his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Although aged 35, Cliff was still very highly rated and Worcester beat a counter offer from Reading to obtain his signature.
At Worcester, Cliff became a member of a massively experienced side. Cliff, Eddie Stuart, Ivor Allchurch, Harry Middleton, Brayley Reynolds and (later in the season) George Kirby had a combined total of 2318 Football League appearances. The non league players at Worcester included long serving men Howard Madley, Bobby McEwan, George Bassett, Paddy Mullen and Ally Brack. Sadly, despite their vast experience, the players never fully blended as a team, although 1968/69 was a good season in which City finished a creditable fifth in a high quality Southern League.
Always a very competitive player, Cliff Huxford was ever present until he was suspended in April 1969. Displaced by Bobby McEwan, Cliff could not win his first team place back and, after 52 appearances (1 goal) he got a free transfer in May 1969.
Cliff spent the next few years coaching or managing a number of teams in Hampshire and son Clive carried on the family tradition as a defender with Waterlooville and Fareham in the 80s and 90s.