 McAlinden in 1979 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert McAlinden[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1946-05-22)22 May 1946 (age 79)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Salford, England[2] | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1961–1963 | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1963–1965 | Manchester City | 1 | (0) |
| 1965–1966 | Port Vale | 0 | (0) |
| 1966 | Glentoran | ||
| Durban City | |||
| 1976–1978 | Los Angeles Aztecs | 77 | (9) |
| 1977 | →Bournemouth (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1979 | Memphis Rogues | 14 | (0) |
| 1980–1981 | San Jose Earthquakes (indoor) | 18 | (8) |
| Total | 111 | (17) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert McAlinden (born 22 May 1946) is an English former professionalfootballer who played as awinger in England, Northern Ireland, South Africa and the United States, making over 100 career appearances.
McAlinden was born to Irish parents inSalford.[3] Between the age of 13 and 15 he played for Salford Boys. After interest from several League clubs, he joinedAston Villa,[2] but homesickness meant he soon returned.[3] A successful trial atManchester City followed.[4] At City, McAlinden was in the sameyouth team asMike Doyle andGlyn Pardoe. His sole Manchester City appearance came in a 3–2 defeat in theFootball League toPreston North End in October 1963, at a time when the Manchester City squad was severely depleted by injury.[5] McAlinden was released by Manchester City at the end of the 1964–65 season, upon the expiry of hiscontract.[6] He then spent the summer in North America at the invitation ofRoy Gratrix.[7] While in North America McAlinden metStanley Matthews, who offered him a contract atPort Vale. McAlinden joined the club but did not progress beyond thereserve team.[8]
From Port Vale, McAlinden joinedBelfast clubGlentoran. During the week, McAlinden trained atStockport County and flew to Belfast on Fridays to play at the weekend. At Glentoran, McAlinden was part of the team that won theIrish Cup in 1966.[8] At the end of the season, he joined the South African teamDurban City. His stay in South Africa was brief, and upon his return to England, he quit playing and became a roofer.[9] Five years later he returned to the game part-time withStalybridge Celtic.[9]
McAlinden was friends withGeorge Best through a mutual interest in gambling.[9] When Best joined theLos Angeles Aztecs of theNorth American Soccer League in 1975, he recommended McAlinden to AztecsmanagerJohn Chaffetz.[10] McAlinden joined Best at the club in time for the 1976 season; the pair also shared a house. Given a second chance for a career in the sport, McAlinden played for the Aztecs for three years. Off the field, McAlinden, Best and three others bought a bar in Los Angeles. McAlinden eventually bought the others out and owned the bar for 20 years.[11] McAlinden was also best man when Best married his first wifeAngie Janes in 1978.[12]
WhenRinus Michels became Aztecscoach in 1978, McAlinden found himself out of favour. He was traded to theMemphis Rogues, where his former Aztecs teammateCharlie Cooke was the coach.[11] McAlinden also played forBournemouth, and theSan Jose Earthquakes.[13][14][15]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City | 1963–64 | Second Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Port Vale | 1965–66 | Fourth Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Aztecs | 1976 | NASL | 23 | 3 | — | — | 23 | 3 | ||
| 1977 | NASL | 25 | 2 | — | — | 25 | 2 | |||
| 1978 | NASL | 29 | 4 | — | — | 29 | 4 | |||
| Total | 77 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 9 | ||
| Bournemouth (loan) | 1976–77 | Fourth Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Memphis Rogues | 1979 | NASL | 14 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | ||
| San Jose Earthquakes | 1981 | NASL Indoor | 18 | 8 | — | — | 18 | 8 | ||