Former Yeovil Town manager Colin Addison, who oversaw one of the club’s most memorable FA Cup campaigns in living memory, has died aged 85.
The Taunton-born boss was in charge when the Glovers claimed the Football League scalps of both Blackpool and Colchester United in the 2000-01 season as we reached the competition’s third round and ran Championship side Bolton Wanderers close.
He took charge of the team in October 2000 following the shock departure of David Webb as manager and was in charge for a 5-1 hammering of Colchester at Huish Park in the first round before a Nick Crittenden goal sunk Blackpool in the pouring rain on the Lancashire coast.
In the Nationwide Conference, he saw masterminded a 2-1 win away at the expensively assembled Ru$hden & Diamonds at the start of November, but Yeovil’s form took a dip towards following the exit from the Cup at the start of January and they were pipped to the title by Ru$hden.
Addison departed immediately at the end of the season after remarks made by chairman John Fry who told Western Gazette cub reporter David Coates: “If you don’t do the job, you have to walk the plank.”
That sparked a stinging response from the ex-Atletico Madrid and Hereford United manager who told the more experienced Steve Sowden, then a reporter for the Yeovil Express: “To say I was shocked by the allegations and criticism levelled against me is an understatement.”
It was a departure which led to the arrival of the then unknown quantity of Gary Johnson for the start of the 2001-02, but was a sour footnote for a period in the club’s history which left many supporters from that time with happy memories.
Before he arrived at Huish Park, Addison had enjoyed an impressive CV both as a player and manager. In his playing days he turned out 160 times for Nottingham Forest before signing for Arsenal in 1967 before ending his career at Hereford United.
It was at Edgar Street that his cut his managerial teeth as player-boss and made his first piece of FA Cup history as he took charge of the Bills’ side which beat Newcastle United in a replay with Ronnie Radford scoring an equaliser – and probably the competition’s most replayed goal.
In 1988, he took charge of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid for a season having taken over from Ron Atkinson, who he had joined assisted in Spain. In 1998, he was the Scarborough manager whose side was relegated out of the Football League on the final day of the season by a last minute goal scored by Carlisle United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass.
Financial issues dogged Scarborough and Addison resigned in summer 2000 and was without a job when Yeovil Town chairman John Fry came calling for his services following the exit of Dave Webb at Huish Park – yes, that’s Danny’s father.
‘Addo’, as he was known by many, was one of the most positive and jovial characters you could have wished to have met and a true gentleman. We are sure the Gloverscast speaks for all Yeovil Town supporters when we send our condolences to his family and friends and say – rest easy, Col, thanks for all the memories.
Read an article written for the legendary Ciderspace fans’ website by Jon ‘Taff’ Morgan following the departure of Colin Addison as Yeovil Town manager – HERE.