Allenby Chilton

Infobox Football biography
playername = Allenby Chilton


fullname = Allenby C. Chilton
height = convert|6|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on
dateofbirth = birth date|1918|9|16|df=y
cityofbirth = South Hylton
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = death date and age|1996|6|16|1918|9|16|df=y
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
position = Centre half
youthyears =
youthclubs = Hylton Colliery
Seaham Colliery
years = 1938
1938–1955
1955–1956
clubs = Liverpool
Manchester United
Grimsby Town
caps(goals) = 000 (0)
352 (3)
063 (0)
nationalyears = 1950–1951
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 002 (0)
manageryears = 1955–1959
1960–1961
1962–1963
managerclubs = Grimsby Town
Wigan Athletic
Hartlepools United

Allenby C. Chilton [cite book |last=Ponting |first=Ivan |title=Manchester United: Player by Player |edition=8th edition |year=2008 |publisher=Know The Score Books |location=Studley |isbn=978-1-84818-300-1 |pages=p.44 ] (16 September 1918 – 15 June 1996) was an English football player.

Chilton started his career with Seaham Colliery before joining Liverpool as an amateur in the summer of 1938. Chilton transferred to Manchester United soon after in November 1938 and made his first team debut against Charlton Athletic in September 1939. Chilton's early career was cut short by the second world war although he made guest appearances for Airdrieonians, Cardiff City, Hartlepool United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic who he helped to win the League South Cup Final in 1944. He served in the Durham Light Infantry and saw active service in the D Day Landings in 1944.

Chilton established himself as a centre half in Matt Busby's first post-war team and helped United to triumph in the 1948 FA Cup and was a key member of the 1952 league championship winning team. He was made club captain during the 1953–54 season. Having missed just 13 games in nine seasons at United and with 175 consecutive appearances to his name, Chilton requested a rest from first team action in early 1955. He was replaced by Mark Jones, one of the rising Busby Babes, and never returned to first team action. He left the club in March 1955 to become player-manager with Grimsby Town. He joined the Mariners late in the 1954–55 season and was unable to stop them having to apply for re-election, but the following season under his management they were Champions of Division Three North - the only club ever to go from re-election to promotion in one season.

Chilton continued as manager at Grimsby Town until April 1959 when he joined Wigan Athletic as manager for one season during 1960–61. Chilton joined Hartlepool United as a scout for the 1961–62 season and became manager during 1962–63. Chilton made 432 appearances and scored three goals for United and made two international appearances for England.

Chilton died on 15 June 1996, aged 77.

References