One of the best-loved and -admired figures inside the game, Alan Hodgkinson began his career as a Sheffield United trainee in 1953, where he would make 675 first-team appearances as well as being chosen for England at the finals of two World Cups and, later, as a coach with Scotland, the finals of two World Cups and two European Championships. In his time as a player, and, subsequent glittering coaching career at Manchester United (8 years), Rangers, Everton and Aston Villa among others, Alan played alongside football legends such as Stanley Matthews and Bobby Charlton and against such icons as Pele, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer whilst making his name as one of football's greatest servants.