Football Programmes Centre

Pete’s Picture Palace · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:39 pm Post subject: Tony Millington, RIP

I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I opened my paper and there was the CPFC 1965/6 team photo staring back at me. But sad to relate it was used in the obituary for the eccentric keeper Tony Millington, of WBA, Palace, Peterborough, Swansea, Glenavon and (21 times) Wales. What I didn't know was that he spent over 40 years of his life in a wheelchair after a car crash when aged only 31. The obit mentions his work for the disabled in Wrexham so maybe a reader here can enlighten us on that, please?

He only played 16 times for Palace, losing his place to the brilliant young John Jackson, but I do recall he was the first keeper I saw who swung from the crossbar, grinning at us boys at the front, when a shot went over the top.

Obit with team photo here and I follow that with a few pics from the website. In the team photo, he's middle row, 5th left with Jackson on his right as we look. There's a plethora of ex-WBA players there due to manager Dick Graham's connections. House points available to anyone who can spot them all!

http://www.independent.co.uk/n.....52554.html

At Peterborough 1966

At Swansea early 70's

For Wales at Wembley when standing in for Gary Sprake

littlewiggy · Joined: 07 Apr 2013 Posts: 1814 Location: Newport

Chris Marustik too, another former Swan who played for County in their ill-fated Conference season of 1988/9.

54 is no age ...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/s.....ty-9847310

derby1884 · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:29 pm Post subject:

Great obit, Pete - eating an ice lolly whilst taking a goal kick!
Imagine doing that in today's sterile footballing environment?

I seem to recall Tony Millington playing a blinder for Swansea in a Cup tie at Anfield. Late 60s, perhaps?
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SeasideMark · Joined: 24 Oct 2014 Posts: 612

Very sad news - as a Chester and Rhyl follower I recall being taken with my Dad on the Football Special train to the 70/1 FA Cup tie between Swansea and Rhyl at the Vetch Field. This is the only time two brothers have faced each other between the sticks in the competition - Tony for Swansea and Grenville for Rhyl. Gren of course went on to become a legend with the Seals and in my view was slightly the better keeper - but hey!, that's just an opinion. Genuinely saddened to learn of Tony's passing. RIP.