Alan Oakes

Oakes signed for Manchester City on amateur terms in 1958 at the age of 15, signing as a professional a year later; he cleaned the boots of legendary goalkeeper Bert Trautmann. His first-team debut came under the stewardship of Les McDowall on 14 November 1959, in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1975. ==Player-manager at Chester==

Oakes moved to Third Division side Chester in the summer of 1976, who had to pay Manchester City a £15,000 fee for his services. Although he initially signed just as a player, he was soon in charge of team affairs at Sealand Road after manager Ken Roberts moved upstairs. Oakes was to be player-manager throughout his six years with the club, where he continued to break playing appearance records. In his first season at the club, Oakes led Chester to the last-16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1891. He would repeat the feat three years later and lead the club to the Debenhams Cup title in 1977. In 1977–78, he came within a whisker of taking the "Seals" into the top two divisions for the first time, as they finished just two points and places outside the three promotion places. Oakes also gave the legendary Ian Rush his big break in the professional game, handing him his Chester debut in April 1979. Oakes was widely regarded as having done a good job at Chester, but the 1981–82 season saw the "Blues" relegated. Oakes left the club in March 1982 and never again managed in the Football League. ==Coaching career==

Oakes made an FA Cup appearance for Northwich Victoria against Scunthorpe United in December 1982. He then became part of the coaching staff with Port Vale, serving as reserve team manager from January 1983. While at Vale Park, Oakes was forced to make one final Football League appearance during an injury crisis – his 776th match in the league. Sacked to save money in December 1983, he was brought back to the club as a coach in August 1984. After being demoted to the position of youth coach in December 1987, he resigned in protest. In 1992, Oakes returned to Chester on the coaching staff, and in 1993–94, he assisted Graham Barrow and Joe Hinnigan as Chester were promoted to the Second Division. ==Family==

Alan Oakes is the best-known member of a prominent football family. His cousin Glyn Pardoe was also a member of the Manchester City side in the 1960s and 70s. His son Michael is a professional footballer who has played for Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City as a goalkeeper. His nephew, Chris Blackburn, played for Chester, Morecambe, and Wrexham. ==Career statistics==

Playing statistics • Includes FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup, Charity Shield, Texaco Cup, Anglo-Italian Cup and Anglo-Scottish Cup. Managerial statistics ==Honours==

As a player Manchester City • Football League First Division: 1967–68 • Football League Second Division: 1965–66 • FA Cup: 1968–69 • Football League Cup: 1969–70, 1975–76 • FA Charity Shield: 1968, 1972 • European Cup Winners' Cup: 1969–70 Individual • Manchester City Player of the Year: 1974–75 As a player-manager Chester • Debenhams Cup: 1977 ==References==