Malcolm Allison

[henryhallandhisbasque]

It has been fairly well reported in the media in the last couple of months, that Malcolm Allsion is not having the best of times lately.

Now the club is on a firmer footing, is it planning anything that may benefit him, either financially or just some sort of tribute, (maybe inviting him as guest of honour to a home game or something?)

Personally, I think he is was one of greatest coaches the game has seen, and he gave this club some great times along the way, (yes I know there were some bad as well).
Nonetheless I don't think he should be forgotten

[henryhallandhisbasque]

Allison by the way!

[Les Butler]

That man will always be my hero.
He put us up there just on his own charisma
Great man !
Hope we can do something.

[Adrian]

Great coach - UNBELIEVABLY bad manager.

Perhaps a City-Palace game as a fund-raiser if he's fallen on hard times.....

[ammiller]

I saw something about this on a Franny Lee interview with Jimmy Hill on The Last Word on Sky's web-site.

But no details were given.

Can anyone enlighten me as to the exact details of what's up with Big Mal?

I chose Malcolm as my confirmation name, after him (it's a catholic thing), as I got confirmed circa 1974, and he was, obviously, the most significant figure in my life at that time.

I love that man dearly, and if there is anything we can do to help, we should do.

[Gooders]

Diamond geezer. I presume his troubles are alcohol related?

It would be nice to help if we could.

[henryhallandhisbasque]

It is probably a sensitive issue to expand too much on, but from what I read he seems to be depressed, and living on his own in a small flat up North, after splitting up from his partner. He isn't actively involved in the game at present, and it appears as a result of reading about his low frame of mind in the papers, Franny Lee has tried to get him back on his feet and in better spirits, I also believe Middlesbrough (one of his former clubs,) also came forward offering support.

I think Malcolm Allison even in his early seventies can still offer great tactical knowledge and experience, and it would be a fitting gesture if Palace could arrange some sort of tribute for him, whilst he is still here to appreciate it.

I was 14 when he steered us to the 76 semi-finals, and I still have those great memories today, thanks to Malcolm Allison's hard work and that of the Palace players of the time.

[Pete B]

A City v Palace game is a superb idea although I guess it would have to be staged at Maine Road to get a bigger crowd.

This man single handedly put Palace on the map ( I doubt we will ever again reach the level of popularity that we did in 1976) and Venables took all the glory for the team he and John Cartwright created.

The reason why the quality of English football is so poor is that people like Big Mal have been pushed out of the game. Yes he is a crap manager, but he was without doubt one of the greatest coaches.

[Mat ov CPFC]

Quite simply the man is a God.

To me he became a deity when, against all the other pundits,we were losing at half time
in THAT semi-final he backed us to win.

I never saw it until the following day when we watched the whole game about a dozen times but I can honestly say there where tears in my eyes ( and I aint a sentimental person ) when I watched him speak as it was obvious that he loved this club. The man is a Palace legend, through and through. Yes, lets get something organised, even if it is only a black tie gentlemens evening at a posh london venue when we can give this legend a night to remember. But a testimonial match with City would be a great idea as well.

[ruediger]

Malcolm Allison simply made us believe we'd become giants one day. Great PR-expert, great coach, but as manager a big under-achiever.

Champagne, big cigar and fedora - I love to remember the days in Divi III. He was in love with bunny girl Serena Williams and saw fit to introduce Fiona Richmond to the players ...

Wonderful days.

[Oisin]

Without Allison we wouldn't play in Red and Blue and we wouldn't be called the Eagles. He gave us a touch of glamour for a while and is one of the most important figures in Palace history. We do owe him.

[johnny]

I read last week that Big Mal had got back from a brief trip abroad to find that his girlfriend had not only left him,but had sold the flat that they were sharing,and that he got into trouble with the police for smashing the front door while in a rage (can't say you can blame him really).I was always a big Allison fan too,there was never a dull moment while he was around,as we were either superb or shockingly bad while he was in charge.He did more than anyone to put our club on the map,we even got a front page in the "News of the screws" due to his friendship with Fiona Richmond(and her bathing habits).The only time I got really upset with Allison is when he made it plain that he didn't rate John Jackson,and went and sold him to Orient,when it was obvious to most people that Jacko had a good few years at the top in front of him yet.
It's a little known fact that Allison,despite his cigar smoking habit,lost a lung in the 50's due to T.B.It is really sad to hear that he's hit on hard times,lets hope we're able to help,I'm another who thinks a testimonial would be a great idea.

[henryhallandhisbasque]

Glad a lot of other Palace fans feel the same way as I do about Malcolm Allison, I also agree about Venables getting false credit for bringing on those great young players we had that came from the youth team from about 1974 to 77.

I hope somebody from the club itself, picks up on this, or one of the more experienced posters can make them aware.

[Dai the Swansea Eagle]

I believe Allison lost a lot of money when BCCI went tits up 10 years ago. A mate of mine (Palace supporting) was dealing with a withdrawl request from him when the bank folded. They were ordered to drop everything at that point - had Allison's request come across his desk a couple of minutes earlier or had he banked with a British bank he would have been somewhat better off....

Heard some cracking stories about him commentating for local radio for Middlesboro games. Apparently he greeted one screaming goal with the words "Farking Hell" and was sacked instantly. The radio station was besieged with complaints and had to reinstate him. First game back (I'm sure you're ahead of me...), another great goal and Big Mal screams "sh!t". No return from that one I'm afraid.

[Sandy of Cornwall]

Big Mal made my day when I was about 14. I stayed behind after a match to get his autograph and at about 6pm he saw me there and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he asked me up to a press conference he was giving and then personally showed me round the trophy room. I've lived on that memory for years and will always be eternally grateful for that kind consideration he gave me when I was a kid. All the best to Malcolm.

[ammiller]

Originally posted by Sandy of Cornwall on 07-19-2000 01:57 PM
Big Mal made my day when I was about 14. I stayed behind after a match to get his autograph and at about 6pm he saw me there and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he asked me up to a press conference he was giving and then personally showed me round the trophy room. I've lived on that memory for years and will always be eternally grateful for that kind consideration he gave me when I was a kid. All the best to Malcolm.

Sandy,

I am welling up at your story of the great man.

Who at the club can we bring this up with?

Perhaps Peter Leanord can raise the issue with SJ when he meets him? If SJ is 32, it's a fair bet that Big Mal was manager when he first started supporting Palace.

Thinking about it, how about dropping the idea of recruiting Ian Wright "in some capacity" and bringing Big Mal on board.

Peter Leanord, I know you can hear me.

You know it makes sense.

[Justin]

Atrophy room in 1976? You have got to be joking - we hadn't even won the Div 2 Div1 or Zenith data cup in those days! What was in it - cigars?

[Man 'n' Boy]

Top man who really put us on the map.
A Palace v City testamonial would be a great idea.

[Vic Eagle]

Best thing he did...bit of half time commentary at the Cup Semi Final 1990...Ray Wilkins couldn't agree with it though so it must have been wrong...

[Chester 76]

Cup semi final 1990, wasn`t Malcolm the only one to say Palace would win at half time ?

[johnny]

Justin,we won the Evening Standard London 5 a side at Wembley in 69/70.We also won it in 58/59 (I think),at Harringay Arena!,how could you not know!!.There would have been a few trophies to see in the mid 70's-we finished runners up in the (old) third and second division in the 60's,that would have qualified us for a shield or a cup or two?.

[le piddler]

That is a fantastic idea about having a testamonial for Big Mal, especially against City, would it be worthwhile getting views on this from the City web site??
I was too young to rember the 76 cup run (I was 3 at the time) but I certainly learnt later on about his exploits, & putting Palace firmly on the map. I went to a testamonial game for him @ Selhurst, (late eighties V spurs?? on a sunday) taken by my mother who was a MASSIVE Big Mal fan.
All the best Malcolm

[henryhallandhisbasque]

Who is the best person at Palace to contact? Simon Jordan himself, or the club's sercretary or both?

I think it was said earlier-Simon must have been about nine during the 76 Cup run so he must have fond memories of Malcolm.

Hope he will be interested. Lets make this thing actually happen.

[Del Boy]

I went to all the cup games in the run up to the 76 semi final. Anyone who was at Chelsea, Leeds or Sunderland can tell you what a great time we had.

Malcolm Allison was a crap manager, but he gave hope to this club like it's never had. A game against City would be a fantastic thenk-you to the man.

[henryhallandhisbasque]

I have sent a letter to Simon Jordan today, re some sort of tribute for Mr Allison.

I only hope he will actually get to read it,(yes I did send it to the right address!) When I wrote to Mark Goldberg about two years ago I never even got a reply. Still I did call him a thieving incompetent toerag intent on destroying the club for the sake of his Walter Mitty ego! Maybe my letter to him stayed in the 'pending' tray.

[This message has been edited by henryhallandhisbasque (edited 21 July 2000).]

[This message has been edited by henryhallandhisbasque (edited 21 July 2000).]

[richmondeagle]

i agree that we should try and help him out if we could ,i can still see him with his hat and cigar ....he built the team that venables took over and got all the credit for and then took most of the best platers with him to spurs but i say it again that we should try and help if we can

[This message has been edited by richmondeagle (edited 22 July 2000).]

[Archiebald Leitch]

After the dour days of Bert Head, Malcolm certainly brought glamour to the club. He arrived too late to save us from relegation from Div 1, but at least we beat Chelsea. Who could believe the next season, we were going to walk Div2 but ended up relegated again, but behind the scenes Malcolm had laid the foundations. Its already been said on this thread, and I have said it many times before and been laughed at, Malcolm Allison made the 'Team of the Eighties', Venables just inherited.

He smokes cigars
and he drinks champagne
Malcolm, Malcolm
He smokes cigars
and he drinks champagne
Malcolm Allison

[dickie]

Yup, just garee with everything already said, what a great man. i too went to all the cup matches, never a dull moment. If there is anything we can do to help like a testemonial, Im all for it!

[Egg Sample]

A Top Man - A legend

However, I remember when Big Mal was our manager and we were drawn away to Man City in the 3rd round of the cup - there manager was John Bond - and Malcolm came on the pitch to wave etc. and the City fans absolutely slated him - we then got duly stuffed ( 4-0 I think)

I wish him well - can anyone get an address for him - perhaps we can organise a BBS thread to send him?

[Pistike]

Big Mal's testimonial would have to be against Brighton you dozzy bunch.
Big Mal against the Devil's select XI in one last **** or bust, to the death encounter.

"We'll be running round Brighton with our willies hanging out.
Singing we've got bigger..."

[henryhallandhisbasque]

If I get one, I'll post Mr Jordan's response.

[Del Boy]

Originally posted by henryhallandhisbasque on 07-24-2000 04:07 PM
If I get one, I'll post Mr Jordan's response.

I should have remembered to post that the Soundbyter has told me he will pass the question of Malcolm Allison on to Jordan in the questions he is putting to him from CPFRIS/BBS.

Adder tomorrow: the power of the BBS!

Malcolm Allison could make an emotional return to Selhurst for Palace’s first home match of the season against Queens Park Rangers on August 20.
Jordan plans to invite him as a guest and is also hoping many of the Second Division championship side of 1979 will be there.

[Pistike]

Can I ask a rather obvious question?
I went to Palace vs QPR with my grandfather about 10 years ago (Roberts and Wilkins in the middle of the park for them, we got stuffed).
I don't recall that his attendance at the game helped his health or his pocket much.

So how is being paraded around at Selhurst gonna help the great man greet the following Monday morning with a smile?

[richmondeagle]

i agree with pistike how is showing him off to the crowd going to help him he needs money not more memories he has enough of them

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[This message has been edited by richmondeagle (edited 29 July 2000).]

[viking's no1]

MA was a top man. Any more news on a testemonial?

[Slimbloke'H']

Yet another thread I should have found earlier!!

I was working at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago, and sneaked up to the Directors’ box in the west stand. I went down to the front, and doffed an imaginary fedora. Wonderful memories.

We really should try and do something for him.

[henryhallandhisbasque]

I did say I would post any reply I received from Simon Jordan regarding Malcolm Allison.

After what he has done to Steve Coppell, i.e: sacking him after lining up a replacement behind his back, I won't hold my breath for the man to the decent thing and issue a reply to me.

The letter has probably gone in Mark Goldberg's shredder.

[This message has been edited by henryhallandhisbasque (edited 01 August 2000).]

[Dobbo]

Dare I suggest a Malcolm Allison XI vs. a Steve Coppell XI ?

[Al From Bromley]

Don't worry, Big Mal will be back if Palace's managaerial appointments follow a similar pattern in the future!

[selhurst]

Big Mal has still got a lot of fans at the club, me included. Let's hope a Palace v Man City benefit match can be arranged.