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Vic Mobley

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Vic Mobley (born 11 October 1943) is a former professional footballer who played for Sheffield Wednesday and Queens Park Rangers. Mobley was a central defender who made 212 League appearances in a career which lasted from 1964 to 1971, scoring eight goals.[1] He was forced to retire at the young age of 28 through injury.

Playing career

Early days

Mobley was born in Oxford, as a youth he played for Oxford Boys, he had a trial for England Schoolboys in February 1959 before signing for Isthmian League side Oxford City. Mobley quickly impressed as a strong centre half and rapidly progressed from City’s Colts side to the first team. He was spotted by Sheffield Wednesday manager Vic Buckingham and signed for The Owls in September 1961.

Sheffield Wednesday

Mobley signed for Wednesday as an 18-year-old, primarily as an understudy to Peter Swan who was then first choice centre half for the England national side. Mobley’s chance to play in the first team probably came quicker than expected as Swan was banned for his part in the 1964 British betting scandal. He made his debut on 4 April 1964 in a 1-1 away draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was an ever present in the following 1964-65 season, playing 44 games in all as Wednesday finished eighth in the league.

Mobley was called up to the England squad in late 1965 but injury problems meant he had to drop out and he never got another chance. That injury was the first of two that season, the other came in the FA Cup semi final against Chelsea, a match Wednesday won 2-0 at Villa Park to reach the final. Mobley was injured after just 30 minutes, at that time substitutes were not allowed and Mobley courageously played the entire match in his injured state, having a hand in Graham Pugh‘s clinching goal. The injury meant that he missed the final against Everton being replaced by a young Sam Ellis. An injury hit 1966-67 season was followed by two season where Mobley was ever present and injury free. He was transferred to Queens Park Rangers in October 1969 for a fee of £55,000 after playing 187 league games for Wednesday (210 including cup games) and scoring eight goals.[2][3]

Queens Park Rangers

Mobley’s time with Q.P.R. was injury plagued, he played only 25 games in two years before giving up the game on medical advice. Q.P.R. maintained that Mobley had been injured before they signed him and they took Sheffield Wednesday to court in February 1973 to claim compensation.[4]

References

  1. ^ Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database. Gives career statistics.
  2. ^ Sheffield Wednesday Archive. Gives details of Sheffield Wednesday career.
  3. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday, Illustrating the Greats", Michael Liversidge & Gary Mackender ISBN 0-9547264-5-6 Gives biographical details.
  4. ^ Yahoo Groups sixties and seventies soccer. States Q.P.R. sued Wednesday.
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