Ivor Allchurch (1958/59 to 1961/62)
Ivor was known as the Golden Boy of Soccer and was a national hero in his home country of Wales, but he wanted to test himself in the First Division. Ivor was 28 when he signed the transfer forms on a good trolley at Manchester's Exchange Station in October 1958. A graceful, cultured player with a powerful shot he made his international debut against England in 1950-51.
Ivor formed
He linked up superbly with fellow forwards George Eastham and Len White. He was a taker and maker of goals and had thunder in his boots. shots. In more than 700 first class games during his distinguished career he scored well over 250 goals. Ivor moved fluidly and had body swerve Ivor was possessed of a cool temperament and was never cautioned during his career. Very highly thought of on Tyneside AIIchurch became United's highest paid player at £60 a week when the George Eastham contract dispute led to the lifting of the maximum wage for footballers He made his international debut at the age of 20 and won caps in total Newcastle’s policy of refusing to allow players to play in Saturday internationals was a bone of contention. Captain AUchurch first pulled on football boots with Plesmark Juniors, joining his hometown club Swansea Town in May of 1947. During army service he turned out for Shrewsbury Town returning to Swansea on his demob. . He was only 20 when he won his first cap for Wales and had made 329 appearances for Swansea scoring 130 goals. Wales in those days possessed some great footballers But manager Dave Bowen reckoned that Ivor was the best of them all. "He possessed that extra bit of magic which makes great players stand apart." Ivor spent less than four full seasons at St. James's Park skippering the side which sadly went down to the Second Division despite the goalscoring exploits of Len White and himself. In those dark days of relegation Allchurch's ageless fluency was one of the few consoling sights for loyal fans. his wife Esme yearned to return to wales,and in August of 1962 he joined Cardiff City for £15,000. Four "years later his magnificent service to footbaU was recognised with the award of the MBE. Ivor later made the nostalgic move back to his old club Swansea where he ended his League career in 1968 though he loved the game so much he played on in local leagues until 50 years of age in 1980. IVOR ALLCHURCH (inside from right).-No official figure has International transfer from Swansea two months agoit was A £30.000. Has been good, brilliant and medicore in patches since arriving on Tyneside but it has to be said that the most is not made of the chances he makes for the other forwards IVOR ALLCHURCH (Inside-left): Signed from Swansea in 1958 for £20,000, plus Reg Davies, a fellow Welsh international, Allchurch has played forty times for Wales, Started his career in Swansea junior football and turned professional on his 17th birthday. Last season he was absent from League duty only once record bettered only by George Eastham, 1958/59 He was an instant success scoring twice on his debut against Leicester City at St. James's Park.Stat Box
| Birth | 16/12/29 | Swansea | |
| P/H/W | Outside-Right | 5-10 | |
| Joined | 10/58 (28) | Swansea | £28,000 |
| Debut | |||
| Left | 08/62 (32) | Cardiff | £15,000 |
| App/Gls | 154 | 51 |
Season by Season
This section is work in progress.
1958/59 (27) (8,10)
Signs from Swansea for 28,000 in October.