FORMER York City star Colin Addison has sadly passed away aged 85.
Addison represented York from 1957 to 1961, beginning his playing days with City before going on to establish himself both on the field and in the dugout throughout an illustrious career.
Whilst he was born in Taunton, Addison grew up in York, attending schools in both Fishergate and Fulford, before joining the football club as an amateur player in May 1957.
Having broken into the first-team, Addison registered ten goals in his second season with York, helping City to promotion to the third division under the management of Sam Bartram.
Midway through the 1960/61 campaign, Addison transferred to the first division, now known as the Premier League, joining Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £12,000.
He topped the scoring charts three times with Forest, making over 150 appearances, before moving on to Arsenal, becoming Bertie Mee's first signing for the North London side.
A season with Arsenal was followed by a move back to Yorkshire with Sheffield United, who Addison helped to promotion back into the first division, before an approach from non-league Hereford United persuaded the striker to move into a player-management role.
Addison would go on to become a legend for Hereford, gaining the club election into the Football League, and steered United to a huge giant-killing when dumping Newcastle United out of the FA Cup in 1972.
He would leave Hereford in 1974 and went on to have a colourful managerial career, taking charge of Durban City in South Africa, Al-Alhi (Doha) in Qatar, Atletico Madrid in Spain, Al-Arabi SC in Kuwait and Barry Town in Wales.
Managerial spells also took place with Newport County (1977-78), Derby County (1979-82), Newport County (1982-85), Celta Vigo (1986-87), Cadiz (1990), Badajoz (1995-96), Merthyr Tydfil (1996-98), Scarborough (1999-00), Yeovil Town (2000-01), Swansea City (2001-02) and Forest Green Rovers (2002-03).
Addison did return to York when being invited back as a guest of honour for City's 2-0 home defeat to Stevenage in 2007, 50 years on from making his debut with the Minstermen.
On his return in 2007, Addison had commented: "It was a dream for me. I had stood behind the goal watching these players beat Tottenham and, just two years later at the age of 17, I was playing with them.
"It was a good start for me to play alongside such great, skilful players who also had a wealth of experience. It is hard to single out individuals but we all loved Arthur Bottom because he was a legend.
"He wasn't the quickest but he was solid, held the ball up well and his goalscoring record was great. Sid Storey gave the team a lovely balance in midfield. He was good technically and a play-maker.
"Gordon Brown was also a lovely footballer as was Ron Spence. They were great passers of the ball for wing halves.
"Players like Ernie Phillips, George Howe and Norman Wilkinson always had a word for me as well. I was young and naïve and learning all the time and everybody was keen to help."
Following retirement from management, Addison did punditry and commentary work with BBC Radio Wales, Sky Sports and ESPN, and consulted for football clubs and media in Spain, the USA and Asia.
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