Alan Warboys
Encyclopedia
Alan Warboys is an English
former professional footballer who played as a striker.
, making his debut in April 1967 at the age of 17, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday
in 1968. Following Wednesday's relegation in 1970, he joined Cardiff City
for a fee of £42,000, as a replacement for John Toshack
who had joined Liverpool
. On his home debut for the club, Warboys scored twice against the team he had just left, Sheffield Wednesday and went on to finish the season having scored 13 goals in 17 league games, including scoring four times in one match during a 4–0 win over Carlisle United
, as the club missed out on promotion by one place. After spending one more year at Cardiff, he returned to Yorkshire
to join Sheffield United
as part of a swap deal which saw Gil Reece
and Dave Powell move the other way to Ninian Park
.
After a brief spell with Sheffield United
, Warboys joined Bristol Rovers
. In his five seasons at the club, he forged a lethal forward pairing with Bruce Bannister
which would be much-celebrated, taking Rovers to promotion to the Second Division and earning the duo the nickname Smash and Grab in reference to Warboys' physical playing style and Bannisters ability to grab the resulting chances created by Warboys. He later played for Fulham
and Hull City
before returning to Doncaster Rovers. In his first season back at the club he was awarded the club's Player of the Year award before later moving into Defence
. Following an operation to remove a disc from his back, he retired in 1982.
, working as a lorry driver.
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 professional footballer who played as a striker.
Career
Warboys began his career at Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, making his debut in April 1967 at the age of 17, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in 1968. Following Wednesday's relegation in 1970, he joined Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
for a fee of £42,000, as a replacement for John Toshack
John Toshack
John Benjamin Toshack OBE is a Welsh former footballer and manager. He is currently the manager of Macedonia. He has also managed several others clubs including Swansea City, who he took from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons.As a player, he is remembered for being part of the...
who had joined 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...
. On his home debut for the club, Warboys scored twice against the team he had just left, Sheffield Wednesday and went on to finish the season having scored 13 goals in 17 league games, including scoring four times in one match during a 4–0 win over Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
, as the club missed out on promotion by one place. After spending one more year at Cardiff, he returned to Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
to join Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
as part of a swap deal which saw Gil Reece
Gil Reece
Gilbert Ivor Reece was a Welsh international footballer.Reece was working as a plumber when he joined Cardiff City as a part-timer in May 1961 and made his way into the reserve side before spending a period on loan at Ton Pentre...
and Dave Powell move the other way to Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
.
After a brief spell with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, Warboys joined Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
. In his five seasons at the club, he forged a lethal forward pairing with Bruce Bannister
Bruce Bannister
Bruce Ian Bannister is a retired professional footballer who played as a striker.He played in the Football League for Bradford City, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Hull City before finishing his playing career in France with USL Dunkerque. While at Bristol Rovers, Bannister and teammate Alan...
which would be much-celebrated, taking Rovers to promotion to the Second Division and earning the duo the nickname Smash and Grab in reference to Warboys' physical playing style and Bannisters ability to grab the resulting chances created by Warboys. He later played for Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
and Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
before returning to Doncaster Rovers. In his first season back at the club he was awarded the club's Player of the Year award before later moving into Defence
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....
. Following an operation to remove a disc from his back, he retired in 1982.
After football
After retiring from football, Warboys settled in DoncasterDoncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
, working as a lorry driver.