Brian Robert Attley (born 23 August 1955) is a Welsh former professional footballer. Able to play in either defence or midfield, he made over 200 appearances in The Football League during his career.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brian Robert Attley[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 23 August 1955 | ||
| Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||
| Position(s) | Defender/Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1973–1979 | Cardiff City | 79 | (1) |
| 1979–1982 | Swansea City | 89 | (6) |
| 1982–1984 | Derby County | 55 | (1) |
| 1982–1983 | → Oxford United (loan)[2] | 5 | (0) |
| 1984–1986 | Gresley Rovers | ||
| 1986–? | Stapenhill | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early life edit
Attley was born in Cardiff and attended Fitzalan High School.[1][3]
Career edit
In Wales edit
Attley began his career at Cardiff City, where his uncle Len Attley had played in the 1930s, making his professional debut in March 1975 against Blackpool.[4] He was involved in the club's 1975–76 promotion season, scoring his first professional goal against Port Vale,[4] as well as their FA Cup run the following season.[5] He joined Swansea City in February 1979 for £20,000 and played for them in the First Division.[5] However, Attley was unable to hold down a starting place in the team at this higher level and fell out of favour.[6] In February 1982 he left the club to join Derby County in a £25,000.[5]
Derby County edit
He made his Derby debut against Leicester City on 6 February 1982 and altogether made 55 appearances for the Baseball Ground side.[7] He also spent part of the 1982–83 season on loan at Oxford United.
Non-league edit
Attley left the Football League in the 1984 close season to sign for Gresley Rovers, having been convinced to sign by player-manager Roger Davies,[8] and made his debut for the club in August against Oldswinford. He remained with the club until 1986 when he joined Stapenhill for a time,[9] having been convinced to join the club by manager Mick Allsopp and an offer of a full-time job by one of the club's sponsors.[8] Attley left the game following his retirement and settled in Rhoose where he works in floor tiling.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b "Brian Attley". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ Brian Attley at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- ^ "Double delight for Cardiff goal Wizard Attley". South Wales Echo. Cardiff, Wales. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 5 November 2023 – via TheFreeLibrary.
- ^ a b Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 15–16. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
- ^ a b c d Swansea City past players Archived 27 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Caught in Time: Swansea City win promotion to the First Division, 1981
- ^ Brian Attley Derby County F.C.
- ^ a b "Attley's swan song". Burton Mail. 12 March 1986. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- ^ "Brian Attley". Gresley F.C. Retrieved 18 September 2018.