Gary Pallister
Encyclopedia
Gary Andrew Pallister is an English
former footballer, most noted for his nine-year spell at Manchester United
from 1989 until 1998. He was also capped
22 times by England between 1988 and 1996.
, but at the age of 19, he joined his boyhood heroes Middlesbrough
as a defender
, making 156 League appearances over nearly five seasons (helping them win promotion to the Football League Second Division
in 1987 and First Division
in 1988), with a seven-game loan spell at Darlington
in 1985, before he moved to Manchester United on 29 August 1989 for £
2.3 million, by which time Middlesbrough were back in the Second Division after relegation.
return to Liverpool
from Juventus a year earlier.
Already one of the most respected defenders in the English game, he had the rare achievement of representing the English national side before appearing in the top flight, in early 1988 when still playing in the Second Division for Middlesbrough. Later that year he helped Boro win their second successive promotion and reach the First Division just two years after they almost went out of business, but was unable to keep them there and they were relegated on the final day of the 1988–89 season
. As one of the highest regarded defenders in England, his days at Ayresome Park
were looking numbered as soon as Boro were relegated but he did begin the 1989–90 season
still at the club in the Second Division before his move to United was completed.
Although it was his excellent defensive displays that helped Manchester United to the league title along with Steve Bruce
at the heart of the defence, forming one of the best central defensive partnerships in the club's history, in the 1992–93 season, he scored a memorable goal in the final home game of the season against Blackburn Rovers
. Into stoppage time, with his team winning 2–1, he stepped up to drive a free-kick into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. It was his first goal of the season and just about summed up an incredible season for Manchester United. He partnered Bruce in central defence for virtually every game until Bruce left United to join Birmingham City
on a free transfer at the end of the 1995–96 season
. The following campaign saw Pallister partnered with either Bruce's former understudy David May or with new signing Ronny Johnsen
, and ended with United winning their fourth league title in five seasons.
The final season Pallister played for Manchester United was the 1997–98 season in which Manchester United came second in the league table, losing by one point to Arsenal
.
During his time at Manchester United, Pallister won the FA Cup
in 1990, 1994 and 1996, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
in 1991, Football League Cup
in 1992, Premier League title in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997. He was also part of the team that came second in the league in 1992, 1995 and 1998, as well as the team that finished runners-up in the League Cup in 1991 and 1994 and the FA Cup in 1995. By the time of his departure from Old Trafford
after nine years, he was the only player to have collected winner's medals in all of the club's successes under Alex Ferguson
's management, and second only to Brian McClair
(who left United at the same time) he was the club's longest serving player.
He also scored some crucial goals for United. He scored an equaliser in extra time against Crystal Palace
in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park
, forcing a replay which United won and in which Pallister made the scoresheet once again. In April 1997, he scored twice against Liverpool
in a match billed the "title decider" which ended in a 3–1 United win at Anfield
. These would be the last two goals he scored for the club, who went on to win their fourth league title in four seasons shortly afterwards. His first goal for United had come on 12 November 1989, as he scored their only goal in the 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest
in the First Division.
for £2.5million (actually more than he had cost United nine years earlier) in July 1998 (his departure from Old Trafford at least partly prompted by United's acquisition of Jaap Stam
), he scored once against Southampton in 55 League appearances, as well as appearing in two FA Cup matches and four League Cup matches.
His final playing season, in which Middlesbrough finished 14th in the table, was season 2000–01. He was brought back to Teesside
by manager Bryan Robson
, who had played alongside Pallister at Old Trafford
until 1994.
He retired from playing due to a succession of injuries on 4 July 2001, at the age of 36, just three weeks after the appointment of Steve McClaren
as manager following the departure of Bryan Robson
(his former Manchester United colleague).
He has since become a regular TV football pundit, appearing on the BBC and ITV.
In September 2010, Pallister became an Operations Director with former club Darlington
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer, most noted for his nine-year spell at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
from 1989 until 1998. He was also capped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
22 times by England between 1988 and 1996.
Early career
His footballing career started at non-league Billingham TownBillingham Town F.C.
Billingham Town F.C. is a football club based in Billingham, England. In 1982, they joined the newly formed Northern League Division Two. They reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in the 1997–98 season. They are currently members of the Northern League Division One.Their home ground is Bedford...
, but at the age of 19, he joined his boyhood heroes Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, making 156 League appearances over nearly five seasons (helping them win promotion to the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1987 and First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1988), with a seven-game loan spell at Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
in 1985, before he moved to Manchester United on 29 August 1989 for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
2.3 million, by which time Middlesbrough were back in the Second Division after relegation.
Manchester United
It was the national record for a defender at the time, as well as being the highest fee between British clubs and the second highest fee to be paid by a British club – second only to Ian Rush'sIan Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
return to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
from Juventus a year earlier.
Already one of the most respected defenders in the English game, he had the rare achievement of representing the English national side before appearing in the top flight, in early 1988 when still playing in the Second Division for Middlesbrough. Later that year he helped Boro win their second successive promotion and reach the First Division just two years after they almost went out of business, but was unable to keep them there and they were relegated on the final day of the 1988–89 season
1988-89 in English football
The 1988–89 season was the 109th season of competitive football in England.-Hillsborough disaster:On 15 April, a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough killed 94 people and injured more than 300. A 95th Liverpool supporter died in hospital...
. As one of the highest regarded defenders in England, his days at Ayresome Park
Ayresome Park
-External links:**-References:...
were looking numbered as soon as Boro were relegated but he did begin the 1989–90 season
1989-90 in English football
-European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :...
still at the club in the Second Division before his move to United was completed.
Although it was his excellent defensive displays that helped Manchester United to the league title along with Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
at the heart of the defence, forming one of the best central defensive partnerships in the club's history, in the 1992–93 season, he scored a memorable goal in the final home game of the season against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. Into stoppage time, with his team winning 2–1, he stepped up to drive a free-kick into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area. It was his first goal of the season and just about summed up an incredible season for Manchester United. He partnered Bruce in central defence for virtually every game until Bruce left United to join Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on a free transfer at the end of the 1995–96 season
1995-96 in English football
- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
. The following campaign saw Pallister partnered with either Bruce's former understudy David May or with new signing Ronny Johnsen
Ronny Johnsen
Jean Ronny Johnsen is a former Norwegian football player. He played as a centre back or defensive midfielder, but was often sidelined because of his many injuries.-Career:...
, and ended with United winning their fourth league title in five seasons.
The final season Pallister played for Manchester United was the 1997–98 season in which Manchester United came second in the league table, losing by one point to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
During his time at Manchester United, Pallister won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1990, 1994 and 1996, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
in 1991, Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in 1992, Premier League title in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997. He was also part of the team that came second in the league in 1992, 1995 and 1998, as well as the team that finished runners-up in the League Cup in 1991 and 1994 and the FA Cup in 1995. By the time of his departure from Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
after nine years, he was the only player to have collected winner's medals in all of the club's successes under Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
's management, and second only to Brian McClair
Brian McClair
Brian John McClair is a former Scottish international football player who played as a forward, notable for his near 11-year spell at Manchester United, as well as important tenures at Scottish clubs Celtic and Motherwell...
(who left United at the same time) he was the club's longest serving player.
He also scored some crucial goals for United. He scored an equaliser in extra time against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
, forcing a replay which United won and in which Pallister made the scoresheet once again. In April 1997, he scored twice against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in a match billed the "title decider" which ended in a 3–1 United win at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. These would be the last two goals he scored for the club, who went on to win their fourth league title in four seasons shortly afterwards. His first goal for United had come on 12 November 1989, as he scored their only goal in the 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in the First Division.
Return to Middlesbrough and retirement from playing
Transferred back to MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
for £2.5million (actually more than he had cost United nine years earlier) in July 1998 (his departure from Old Trafford at least partly prompted by United's acquisition of Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam
Jakob "Jaap" Stam is a retired Dutch football player who was twice voted best defender in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League. He played for several European clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, S.S. Lazio, A.C. Milan and AFC Ajax before retiring in October 2007...
), he scored once against Southampton in 55 League appearances, as well as appearing in two FA Cup matches and four League Cup matches.
His final playing season, in which Middlesbrough finished 14th in the table, was season 2000–01. He was brought back to Teesside
Teesside
Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in the north east of England made up of the towns of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, Billingham and surrounding settlements near the River Tees. It was also the name of a local government district between 1968 and 1974—the County Borough of...
by manager Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
, who had played alongside Pallister at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
until 1994.
He retired from playing due to a succession of injuries on 4 July 2001, at the age of 36, just three weeks after the appointment of Steve McClaren
Steve McClaren
Stephen "Steve" McClaren is an English football manager and former player.McClaren was previously manager of VfL Wolfsburg in Germany between May 2010 and February 2011, having left his post at Dutch side FC Twente, with whom he won the club's first Eredivisie championship in the 2009–10 season...
as manager following the departure of Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
(his former Manchester United colleague).
He has since become a regular TV football pundit, appearing on the BBC and ITV.
In September 2010, Pallister became an Operations Director with former club Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
.
Manchester United
- Premier League (4): 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
(3): 19901990 FA Cup FinalThe 1990 FA Cup Final was a football match contested by Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium, London, England. The match finished 3–3 after extra time. Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes scored for United; Gary O'Reilly and Ian Wright for Palace...
, 1994, 19961996 FA Cup FinalThe 1996 FA Cup Final was the 51st to be held at Wembley Stadium after the Second World War and was held between two of the biggest rivals in English football, Manchester United and Liverpool.- Build-up :... - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(1): 19921992 Football League Cup FinalThe 1992 Football League Cup Final took place at Wembley Stadium, and was played between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.Manchester United won 1–0 in what was their first League cup win... - FA Charity ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
(5): 19901990 FA Charity ShieldThe 1990 FA Charity Shield was the 68th Charity Shield, a football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Football League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 18 August 1990 between 1989–90 Football League champions Liverpool and 1989–90 FA Cup winners...
*, 19931993 FA Charity ShieldThe 1993 FA Charity Shield was the 71st FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 7 August 1993 at Wembley Stadium and contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1992–93...
, 19941994 FA Charity ShieldThe 1994 FA Charity Shield was the 72nd FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 19961996 FA Charity ShieldThe 1996 FA Charity Shield was the 74th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 19971997 FA Charity ShieldThe 1997 FA Charity Shield was the 75th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 3 August 1997 at Wembley Stadium and contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1996–97 FA...
(* joint holders) - UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
(1): 19911991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup FinalThe 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match played between Manchester United and Barcelona on 15 May 1991 at Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1990–91 and the 31st European Cup Winners' Cup Final... - UEFA Super Cup (1): 19901991 UEFA Super CupThe 1991 European Super Cup was the 16th UEFA Super Cup, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup competitions. The match featured the 1990-91 European Cup winners, Red Star Belgrade, and Manchester United, winners of the 1990-91...
External links
- Gary Pallister blog at 4sportsake.com
- Gary Pallister profile at thefa.com