Milton Graham
Encyclopedia
Milton Graham was a professional footballer with A.F.C. Bournemouth
, Chester City
and Peterborough United
in the 1980s. He is best remembered for scoring for Bournemouth in their 2-0 giantkilling win over Manchester United
in the FA Cup
in January 1984.
and Tottenham Hotspur
, Graham signed a professional contract with AFC Bournemouth
in May 1981. His Football League
debut followed against Bury
in October 1981 and the skillful midfielder remained involved in the first-team squad (but could not always command a regular place) over the next four years, with his overhead kick against Manchester United opening the scoring in one of the biggest FA Cup
shocks of modern times.
In 1985 he dropped down a division by joining Division Four
side Chester City
, where he was to enjoy tremendous popularity over the next four years. He quickly struck up an effective midfield partnership with fellow new signing John Kelly
that helped seal promotion in their first season at the club and Graham was named the club's player of the season award in 1986-87
. He remained at the club for two more years before opting to join Peterborough United
in the summer of 1989 for £70,000.
Unfortunately, the injury problems that had blighted his final years at Chester continued and he managed just 15 more Football League
appearances before dropping into non–league football. He has since been involved at several southern-based non-league clubs, including Poole Town
, Spalding United, Bourne Town
, Grantham Town
, King's Lynn
and Holbeach United
, where he has also been part of the coaching staff. Graham's goal for Peterborough United against Exeter City in 1989 was recently voted second best ever goal at London Road with none other than George Best claiming first place. Graham now works at Perkins Engines in Peterborough where he has lived since joining the club. His son, Jamie (born 1981), has played as a striker for clubs including Holbeach.
Chester City
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
in the 1980s. He is best remembered for scoring for Bournemouth in their 2-0 giantkilling win over 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...
in 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 January 1984.
Career Summary
A former schoolboy with ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Graham signed a professional contract with AFC Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in May 1981. His 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...
debut followed against Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
in October 1981 and the skillful midfielder remained involved in the first-team squad (but could not always command a regular place) over the next four years, with his overhead kick against Manchester United opening the scoring in one of the biggest 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...
shocks of modern times.
In 1985 he dropped down a division by joining Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
side Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, where he was to enjoy tremendous popularity over the next four years. He quickly struck up an effective midfield partnership with fellow new signing John Kelly
John Kelly (footballer born 1960)
John Kelly is a former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Tranmere Rovers, Preston North End, Chester City, Swindon Town, Oldham Athletic, Walsall & Huddersfield Town....
that helped seal promotion in their first season at the club and Graham was named the club's player of the season award in 1986-87
1986-87 in English football
The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off...
. He remained at the club for two more years before opting to join Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
in the summer of 1989 for £70,000.
Unfortunately, the injury problems that had blighted his final years at Chester continued and he managed just 15 more 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...
appearances before dropping into non–league football. He has since been involved at several southern-based non-league clubs, including Poole Town
Poole Town F.C.
Poole Town F.C. is a football club based in Poole, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Western League Division Two in 1930. They won the Western League title in 1957 and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup four times in their history. They are currently members of the...
, Spalding United, Bourne Town
Bourne Town F.C.
Bourne Town Football Club is an English football team based in Bourne, England, currently playing in the United Counties Football League Division One. They were established in 1883 and joined the United Counties Football League in 1947, where they have been champions on three occasions - in...
, Grantham Town
Grantham Town F.C.
Grantham Town F.C. is a football club, based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. They are nicknamed The Gingerbreads and they play their home matches at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium . They were established in August 1874...
, King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
and Holbeach United
Holbeach United F.C.
Holbeach United F.C. is an English football club based in Holbeach, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Carters Park.-History:...
, where he has also been part of the coaching staff. Graham's goal for Peterborough United against Exeter City in 1989 was recently voted second best ever goal at London Road with none other than George Best claiming first place. Graham now works at Perkins Engines in Peterborough where he has lived since joining the club. His son, Jamie (born 1981), has played as a striker for clubs including Holbeach.
Honours
AFC Bournemouth- Associate Members Cup winners: 1983–841983-84 in English footballThe 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
.
Chester City
- Division FourFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
runners-up: 1985–861985-86 in English footballThe 1985–86 season was the 106th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The championship crown went to Liverpool for the 16th time in their history at the end of their first season under the management of Kenny Dalglish, but they had to fight off some very stiff competition to... - Player of the Season: 1986–871986-87 in English footballThe 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off...
.