Alan Mansley

Allan Mansley (31 August 1946 – 4 February 2001) was an English professional football left winger, best remembered for his four years in the Football League with Brentford. In a short league career, he also played for Notts County, Lincoln City and Fulham.

Early years

Mansley began his career as a schoolboy in Liverpool with Everton and later spent time with league clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Crewe Alexandra. He dropped into non-league football in 1966, when he joined Lancashire Combination First Division club Skelmersdale United. He reached the final of the FA Amateur Cup with the team during the 1966–67 season and caught the attention of Football League Second Division club Blackpool, with whom he signed a contract in June 1967. He departed Bloomfield Road in January 1968, after failing to make an appearance for the Tangerines.

Brentford

Mansley dropped down to the Fourth Division to sign for Brentford in January 1968. He quickly established himself in the team and made 19 appearances during what remained of the 1967–68 season. Flourishing under the management of Jimmy Sirrel, he made what would be a career-high 46 appearances during the 1968–69 season, top-scoring with 17 goals. Mansley held a regular place in the team until the appointment of Frank Blunstone as manager in December 1969, under whom he made just seven appearances in what remained of the 1969–70 season. He began the 1970–71 season as a regular in the team, but fell out of favour in late September 1970 and made just 9 appearances before being released at the end of the campaign. Mansley made 105 appearances and scored 30 goals during two-and-a-half years at Griffin Park.

Fulham (loan)

Mansley moved to Third Division club Fulham in November 1970 and was the club's first-ever loan signing. He made just one appearance for the Cottagers before the loan expired.

Notts County (loan and permanent transfer)

Mansley joined Third Division club Notts County on loan in March 1971, a move which reunited him with his former Brentford manager Jimmy Sirrel. He failed to make an appearance, but impressed enough to join the club on a free transfer at the end of the season. Mansley failed to make an impression in his only full season at Meadow Lane, making just 14 appearances and scoring two goals.

Lincoln City (loan)

In search of regular football, Mansley signed on loan with Fourth Division club Lincoln City in December 1971 and made three appearances before departing the following month.

Mansley died in February 2001 of a heart attack.