Graham Atkinson
Encyclopedia
Graham Atkinson is an English
former football player. He was a stalwart at Oxford United
in their initial years in the Football League
(1962–1974). His brother is Ron Atkinson
.
groundstaff at the age of 15, but like his brother Ron, failed to make the first team. He was released for the occasional game for Headington United (the team later to become Oxford United) during 1959-1960 and before reaching his 17th birthday (when he could have signed full-time for Aston Villa), he signed for the Southern Leaguers
. He developed in the Reserves during his first season, but came to the fore at inside-right in the second of the two successive championship years (1961–1962).
Graham Atkinson made history by scoring Oxford United's first goal in the Football League on 18 August 1962 at Barrow
. He often found it difficult to score consistently and received criticism from sections of the home crowd. After being tried at right-half in the Reserves, he left in April 1963 for a loan spell at Cambridge United
. He missed out on Oxford United's F.A. Cup glories of 1963-64, but after his return from loan, midway through the following term, he was a revelation.
He was a far more complete striker and for four years was the mainstay of the goalscoring department. From 1968, Atkinson's vision and passing ability were used to excellent effect in the Second Division
. The bulk of the 1972-73 season was lost to injury, bit he came back as good as ever until he left at the end of the 1973-74 season to join Ron Atkinson at Kettering Town
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football player. He was a stalwart at Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in their initial years in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
(1962–1974). His brother is Ron Atkinson
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
.
Playing career
Graham Atkinson joined Aston Villa'sAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
groundstaff at the age of 15, but like his brother Ron, failed to make the first team. He was released for the occasional game for Headington United (the team later to become Oxford United) during 1959-1960 and before reaching his 17th birthday (when he could have signed full-time for Aston Villa), he signed for the Southern Leaguers
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
. He developed in the Reserves during his first season, but came to the fore at inside-right in the second of the two successive championship years (1961–1962).
Graham Atkinson made history by scoring Oxford United's first goal in the Football League on 18 August 1962 at Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
. He often found it difficult to score consistently and received criticism from sections of the home crowd. After being tried at right-half in the Reserves, he left in April 1963 for a loan spell at Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
. He missed out on Oxford United's F.A. Cup glories of 1963-64, but after his return from loan, midway through the following term, he was a revelation.
He was a far more complete striker and for four years was the mainstay of the goalscoring department. From 1968, Atkinson's vision and passing ability were used to excellent effect in the 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...
. The bulk of the 1972-73 season was lost to injury, bit he came back as good as ever until he left at the end of the 1973-74 season to join Ron Atkinson at Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
.