Mike Sinclair (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael John Sinclair[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 13 October 1938[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Grimsby,[1] England | ||
| Date of death | 12 May 2017 (aged 78)[1] | ||
| Place of death | Grimsby,[1] England | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1957–1961 | Grimsby Town | 6 | (1) |
| 1961-1961 | Ards F.C. (loan) | 8 | (4) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Michael John Sinclair (13 October 1938 – 12 May 2017) was an English professional footballer who played as a forward in the Football League for Grimsby Town and Irish League for Ards F.C.[2]
Mike, who was related to Alec Hall (Grimsby Town's Division One team), played in Ronald Humpston's Grimsby Town colts and juniors teams during the managerial reigns of Bill Shankly, Elemér Berkessy, and Billy Walsh; and represented the Lincolnshire County FA in the FA Youth Cup from 1954 to 1956. Mike scored a hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup in a 7-2 win versus Nottinghamshire at the famous Appleby-Frodingham ground in Lincolnshire on 12 October 1956.
He made his Football League debut on 26 April 1958 in a Division Two home fixture versus Bristol Rovers. Mike, who was an apprentice motor fitter, was Grimsby Town Reserves' top goalscorer in the Midland League during the 1957-58 season with 21 goals. Grimsby Town manager Allenby Chilton rewarded him with his full debut where he replaced striker Tommy Briggs. Grimsby won 3-2 with Mike scoring the first goal and setting up the winner for Ron Rafferty.
Mike made no league appearances during the 1958-1959 season, which saw Grimsby relegated to Division Three and the departure of manager Allenby Chilton, but scored the winning goal for Grimsby Town "A" team versus Grimsby Borough Police in the final of the Lincolnshire League Challenge Cup.
He returned to the first-team during the 1959-1960 season under the caretaker management of first-team trainer Bill Lampton; making three appearances in October 1959, all in away fixtures. Mike was selected to make his 1st home league appearance of the season versus QPR, also in October, but was injured working for S.P. Commercials in Grimsby so did not play. This led to Mike agreeing full-time terms with the club.
Mike was retained as a full-time professional footballer under new manager Tim Ward and played his final games for Grimsby Town in September 1960 in a Division Three home win versus Reading United where he played outside left, and an away draw versus Coventry City in his more common position as centre-forward. He was called up for National Service, the final intake of men before the UK scheme was scrapped in 1960, and was posted to Northern Ireland for two years.
He made his Irish League debut for Ards F.C. under manager Tommy Ewing on 25 April 1961 in a home fixture versus Bangor F.C. Ards won 4-2 with Mike scoring on his debut. Grimsby Town had agreed loan terms with Ards in a season that saw them finish 3rd in the league behind champions Linfield. Jackie Scott (Johnny), who played for Grimsby Town, Manchester United and Northern Ireland, had recommended Mike to Ards.
Mike won a British Army athletics title (Northern Ireland) in 1961 and was de-mobbed in 1962. He returned to his trade and played football and cricket for Ross Group in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, throughout the 1960s. Mike worked as an engineer for Ross Foods until his retirement in 1999.[3][4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Mike Sinclair". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ Lamming, Douglas (1985). A Who's Who of Grimsby Town AFC: 1890–1985. Beverley: Hutton. p. 100. ISBN 0-907033-34-2.
- ^ Craig, Peter (19 May 2017). "The Flying Town Striker known as 'Wings' who netted on his debut". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. pp. 1, 4.
- ^ McDonagh, Vincent (18 May 2017). "Top sportsman Mike dies at 78". Cleethorpes Chronicle. p. 5.