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Former
Chester inside forward Mike Metcalf has sadly passed
away at the age of 79 after a long illness. Mike was
an integral part of the “Famous Five” forward
line, alongside Gary Talbot, Elfed Morris, Jimmy Humes
and Hugh Ryden, that each scored more than 20 goals
in all competitions in the 1964/65 season. He was the
overall leading scorer in that campaign with 37 English
league and cup goals and in a Sealand Road career that
extended from 1963 to 1969 he scored 68 goals in 221
Football League games.
Mike started his career as a junior with Everton and
joined Wrexham in May 1957 as a part time professional
which allowed him to complete a degree course in chemistry.
He made his first appearance for Wrexham against Hartlepools
in 1957 and in a 6 year career at the Racecourse Ground
scored 58 goals in 121 league appearances. Although
born in Liverpool he was brought up in Saltney and as
a Chester supporter Mike leapt at the opportunity to
cross the border in December 1963 for what was then
a record fee of £5,000 and made his debut in a
2-1 win over Workington. A skilful ball player with
a natural ability to find the back of the net Mike quickly
settled into life at Sealand Road and his dynamic performances
were a key feature in one of the most exciting teams
in the club's history.
During
the 1964/65 season Chester reached the 3rd Round of
the FA Cup where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 at
Old Trafford by Manchester United. Mike contributed
five goals in that run, including a hat-trick in a 5-2
win at Barnsley, and his overall total of eight goals
in the competition is a club record he jointly holds
with Foster Hedley. He also scored twice in arguably
the most exciting game ever seen at Sealand Road when
Chester came from behind three times to beat Second
Division Derby County 5-4 in a League Cup tie. His man
of the match performance that evening prompted the visitors
to offer £30,000 for his services after the game.
Between October 1964 and September 1967 Mike created
another club record by starting 127 consecutive league
fixtures, a record that was only broken by John Danby
in 2009.
In 1968 Mike began to look at a career outside football
and having obtained a degree in chemistry and maths
he took the opportunity of studying on a teaching course.
However this meant going part time and so at the start
of 1969 he dropped out of league football and joined
Altrincham. After a season at Moss Lane he had a short
spell at Bangor City before joining Rhyl. While Mike
was at Rhyl the Welsh club reached the 3rd round of
the FA Cup and he scored the equalising goal against
Chester in a Welsh Cup 5th Round game at Sealand Road
in 1972. After leaving Rhyl Mike had a short spell as
manager of Connah's Quay Nomads followed by a similar
position at Witton Albion but the job of player manager
proved to be too time consuming and in the mid 1970s
he left Witton to concentrate on his job running his
own business selling laboratory equipment and chemicals
to industry, colleges and hospitals.
A resident of Connah's Quay Mike was a proud member
of the Blues' Hall of Fame and an active member of the
Chester Former Players Association and will be sorely
missed by everyone. Our condolences go to his family
and friends.
Chas Sumner [28/12/18]
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