Brian Clifton

Brian Clifton (15 March 1934 – 12 January 2020) was an English retired footballer who played at either inside-forward or half-back for Southampton and Grimsby Town in the 1950s and 1960s.

For the Belgian film composer, see Brian Clifton (composer).

Brian Clifton
Personal information
Full name Brian Clifton
Date of birth (1934-03-15)15 March 1934
Place of birth Whitchurch, Hampshire, England
Date of death 12 January 2020(2020-01-12) (aged 85)
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Inside-forward / Half-back
Youth career
Andover
Whitchurch United
Portals Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1953–1962 Southampton 111 (35)
1962–1966 Grimsby Town 104 (5)
1966–1969 Boston United
1969–1970 Gainsborough Trinity
1970–1973 Boston
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

Clifton was born in Whitchurch, Hampshire[1] and played football for Hampshire Schools as well as for various local clubs in the Hampshire League, while serving his apprenticeship at the Portals papermill at Laverstoke.[2] While playing for Whitchurch United he was spotted by Stan Woodhouse, who had played for Southampton in the 1920s and 1930s.[2]

He joined Southampton in 1952, making his debut in the reserves on 3 January 1953.[3] He signed for Southampton in February 1953,[2] shortly before his 19th birthday and continued to make occasional appearances for the reserves over the next four years. His football career was interrupted by his National service, which he spent with the Royal Air Force,[2] and it was not until 28 September 1957 that he made his first-team debut when he took the place of Derek Reeves at centre-forward for a Third Division South match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Clifton scored twice with a lob and a header as the "Saints" won 5–0. Clifton retained his place at centre-forward for the next six matches, with Reeves returning at inside-left, and scored another brace in a 7–0 rout of Bournemouth on 5 October. In November, he lost his place to Reeves, with Don Roper returning at inside-right, after which he only made five further appearances in 1957–58, this time at inside-right.[4]

Over the next three seasons, Clifton was in and out of the side, playing in various positions in the forward line or as a wing-half, although he did score eight goals from his eight appearances at inside-left in 1959–60.[5] It was not until 1961–62 (with Southampton now in the Second Division) that he became a settled member of the side, playing the entire season at right-half until April when he was switched back to the forward line, with Ken Wimshurst taking over at right-half.[6]

Following the signing of Ian White in the summer of 1962, Clifton only made four further appearances[7] before he was sold to Grimsby Town for £8,000 in October 1962.[2]

At Grimsby, he joined fellow new signings, centre-forward George McLean (signed from Norwich City) and inside-forward Ron Foster (from Leyton Orient), as Grimsby tried to establish themselves in the Second Division.[8] Now playing regularly at centre-half, Clifton became the team captain but he was unable to prevent the "Mariners" being relegated in 1964. He remained with Grimsby until the summer of 1966, before dropping down to non-league football.[2]

He then joined Boston United of the West Midlands (Regional) League,[9] helping them to become champions in 1967,[10] before spells with Gainsborough Trinity and Boston.[2]

Later career

Following his retirement from football, Clifton remained in Lincolnshire, where he worked as a draughtsman for a frozen food company in Grimsby until his retirement. He then settled in the nearby village of Holton-le-Clay.[2]

Death

On 12 January 2020, he died at the age of 85, with both Southampton and Grimsby Town paying tribute to their former player.[11][12]

Honours

Southampton

Boston United

References
  1. Hugman, Barry (1981). Football League Players Records (1946–1981). Aylesbury: Rothmans Publications. p. 102. ISBN 0-907574-08-4.
  2. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. p. 496. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  3. In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. p. 437.
  4. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. pp. 132–133. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.
  5. Saints – A complete record. p. 137.
  6. Saints – A complete record. p. 141.
  7. Saints – A complete record. p. 143.
  8. Thomson, Doug (28 December 2005). "Blast from the past: 1962". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  9. Fox, Ken (2004). "Brian Clifton". Boston United Roll Call. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  10. "Boston United". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  11. "Brian Clifton: An appreciation". Southampton FC.
  12. "Grimsby Town fans pay tribute to former captain Brian Clifton". 16 January 2020 – via www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
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