Allan Sliman


Allan Melrose Sliman was a Scottish professional football centre half who made over 370 Football League appearances for Chesterfield and Bristol City. He had a spell as player-manager of non-league club Chelmsford City.

Career

A centre half, Sliman began his career with Scottish Second Division Arthurlie before Bristol City manager Alex Raisbeck paid a £280 fee to bring him to the Second Division club in September 1928. After making 136 league appearances for Bristol City, Sliman joined Second Division club Chesterfield for a £1,738 fee on 4 March 1932. He remained at Saltergate until October 1938 and was a part of the club's 1935–36 Third Division South title-winning team. Sliman finished his career with a spell as player-manager at Southern League club Chelmsford City during the 1938–39 season.

Personal life

Sliman's younger brother Richard was an amateur footballer. Prior to becoming a professional footballer, he worked as a carpenter. In 1943, during the Second World War, Sliman joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a flight engineer with No. 75 Squadron. He was mortally wounded on his first bombing mission and died at hospital in Ely. Sliman was buried in Chelmsford Cemetery.

Honours

;Chesterfield