Alick Jeffrey


Alick Jeffrey was an English professional footballer who played as a striker. Jeffrey made nearly 300 appearances in the Football League, scoring over 100 goals.

Career

Born in Rawmarsh, Jeffrey made his senior debut for Doncaster Rovers in 1954, at the age of just 15. Jeffrey had agreed a move to Manchester United when he sustained a badly broken leg playing for England U23 v France in October 1956. He was forced to retire due to that injury in January 1959. He received compensation from the FA because his injury was sustained whilst on International duty. However, he then met the former Sweden International Manager George Raynor and who assisted Jeffrey in being able to play again, despite his former injuries. Unfortunately, an attempted come back with Skegness in August 1959, ended when he broke his leg again on his debut. Jeffrey then moved to Australia, and began his long road back to professional football with Sydney Prague in 1961 and Auburn in 1962. Later that same year, he returned to England to play non-league football with Skegness Town F.C. before finally returning to professional football with Doncaster Rovers in December 1963, where he made in his debut in a reserve team game in front of almost 4,000 supporters. Jimmy Murphy, the ex Manchester United Assistant Manager, called Jeffrey the "English Pele".
He also played in the Football League with Lincoln City, before playing non-league football with Worksop Town in 1970.

Legacy

The road around the Doncaster Rovers stadium opened in 2006 was named Alick Jeffrey Way, whilst five apartment blocks built on the site of the former Doncaster Rovers ground at Belle Vue were named after five of the Rovers' greatest ever players - Alick Jeffrey, Walter Langton, Tom Keetley, Syd Bycroft and James Coppinger.