Malcolm Waldron
Encyclopedia
Malcolm Waldron born 6 September 1956 is a former footballer who played for various clubs, including Southampton
and Portsmouth.
He played as a Centre back during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
, Hampshire
, Waldron was initially spotted playing for Havant
and Hampshire school teams and was snapped up by Southampton, joining them as an apprentice in July 1973 before signing professional papers on reaching 18 in September 1974.
He made his debut on 12 April 1975 in a 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest
. He made 3 appearances that season and 2 the following before establishing himself as a regular member of the Saints' defence in 1976-77. Although he could player anywhere in the back four, his best position was as sweeper, with his strength lying mainly in heading and tackling.
Waldron is described in Holley & Chalk's The Alphabet of the Saints as being "extememly agile and lithe for a big man, he also packed a thunderbolt of a shot and scored some memorable gals for the club".
During Southampton's promotion season 1977-78
, he played "second fiddle" to Chris Nicholl
and Mike Pickering and was often replaced by Manny Andruszewski
in the centre of defence. He really came to the fore in Saints' first season back in Division 1, when he was an ever-present. He also played in all of Southampton's matches as they reached the final of the League Cup
in 1979, only to lose 3-2 in the final. He was voted Saints' "Player of the Season" for 1978-79 and in the following season he was called up for the England
B team against New Zealand.
The following season he lost his place to David Watson as Lawrie McMenemy
once again started to re-build the Southampton team. Injury forced him to miss most of the 1980-81 season in which Saints finished in sixth place in Division 1, thus qualifying for European football.
He spent the summer of 1981 playing in the United States for Washington Diplomats
before returning to The Dell
. His return was disappointing and a succession of irritating injuries and a loss of form led to a transfer to Burnley
for £90,000 in September 1983.
Waldron made a total of 218 appearances for Southampton over 8 years, scoring 11 goals.
was not a happy time and after falling out with John Bond
he moved to his home-town club, Portsmouth
the following May.
At Fratton Park
he continued to suffer from injuries and was unable to return to his previous high standard. He eventually retired from professional football in December 1986.
in their final 1986-87 season. He subsequently worked for Abbey Life and latterly as health care adviser for BUPA
in Poole
.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and Portsmouth.
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
He played as a Centre back during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Southampton
Born in EmsworthEmsworth
Emsworth is a large village the south coast of England, situated on the Hampshire side of the border between Hampshire and West Sussex. The village lies at the north end of an arm of Chichester Harbour, a large but shallow inlet of the English Channel....
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, Waldron was initially spotted playing for Havant
Havant
Havant is a town in south east Hampshire on the South coast of England, between Portsmouth and Chichester. It gives its name to the borough comprising the town and the surrounding area. The town has rapidly grown since the end of the Second World War.It has good railway connections to London,...
and Hampshire school teams and was snapped up by Southampton, joining them as an apprentice in July 1973 before signing professional papers on reaching 18 in September 1974.
He made his debut on 12 April 1975 in a 0-0 draw away to 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...
. He made 3 appearances that season and 2 the following before establishing himself as a regular member of the Saints' defence in 1976-77. Although he could player anywhere in the back four, his best position was as sweeper, with his strength lying mainly in heading and tackling.
Waldron is described in Holley & Chalk's The Alphabet of the Saints as being "extememly agile and lithe for a big man, he also packed a thunderbolt of a shot and scored some memorable gals for the club".
During Southampton's promotion season 1977-78
1977-78 in English football
The 1977–1978 season was the 98th season of competitive football in England, from August 1977 to May 1978:-First Division:Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side took on the First Division by storm, by winning the League Cup on 22 March and confirming themselves as league champions the following month...
, he played "second fiddle" to Chris Nicholl
Chris Nicholl
Christopher John "Chris" Nicholl is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer.-Playing career:Nicholl was born in Macclesfield...
and Mike Pickering and was often replaced by Manny Andruszewski
Manny Andruszewski
Emanuel Franciszek Andruszewski, born 4 October 1955 in Eastleigh, Hampshire of Polish parents, is a former footballer who played for Southampton F.C. He played at full back and centre back during the late 1970s.-Southampton:...
in the centre of defence. He really came to the fore in Saints' first season back in Division 1, when he was an ever-present. He also played in all of Southampton's matches as they reached the final of the 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 1979, only to lose 3-2 in the final. He was voted Saints' "Player of the Season" for 1978-79 and in the following season he was called up for the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
B team against New Zealand.
The following season he lost his place to David Watson as Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club...
once again started to re-build the Southampton team. Injury forced him to miss most of the 1980-81 season in which Saints finished in sixth place in Division 1, thus qualifying for European football.
He spent the summer of 1981 playing in the United States for Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
before returning to The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
. His return was disappointing and a succession of irritating injuries and a loss of form led to a transfer to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
for £90,000 in September 1983.
Waldron made a total of 218 appearances for Southampton over 8 years, scoring 11 goals.
Burnley and Portsmouth
His brief spell at Turf MoorTurf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
was not a happy time and after falling out with John Bond
John Bond (footballer)
John Frederick Bond is an English former professional football player and manager. His son Kevin Bond is also a former footballer.-Playing career:...
he moved to his home-town club, Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
the following May.
At Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
he continued to suffer from injuries and was unable to return to his previous high standard. He eventually retired from professional football in December 1986.
After retirement
He turned out for Road-Sea Southampton F.C.Road-Sea Southampton F.C.
Road-Sea Southampton F.C. were a powerful football club best known for moving directly from playing in amateur Sunday league parks football to the semi-professional Southern League during their short fourteen year existence.-History:...
in their final 1986-87 season. He subsequently worked for Abbey Life and latterly as health care adviser for BUPA
Bupa
Bupa is a large British healthcare organisation, with bases on three continents and more than ten million customers in over 200 countries. It is a private healthcare company, in direct contrast to the UK's National Health Services, which are tax-funded healthcare systems and do not require private...
in Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
.