Members News: Happy 56th Birthday To Our Nineties Full Back, Ally

Ally Pickering

Birthday greetings are in order today for our member, former Sky Blue nineties full back Ally Pickering.  Born in Manchester on 22nd June 1967 Ally is therefore celebrating his 56th birthday today.

Starting out locally for Gorton Albion and Droylsden, Ally was with Buxton FC by 1989. His first big break was with Rotherham United who picked him up for £18.5k in February 1990. After 110 appearances for the Yorkshire club (and a couple of goals) CCFC came calling in October 1993 signing him up for £110k. Ally made his Premier League debut from the subs bench in the following February in a 1-0 defeat by Liverpool at Highfield Road.

Ally Pickering in Sky Blue action

Nearly three years later (Aug.1996) Ally was allowed to move on to Stoke City for £280k having turned out for the Sky Blues on 75 occasions and chipping in a single goal in his time at CCFC! He became a regular for the Potters clocking up a further 93 appearances (and the obligatory solo goal) before moving to Burnley on a free in December 1988.

Spells followed at the likes of Altrincham (1999), Cambridge United (1999 on loan), Chesterfield (1999), Chester City (2000-loan) before moving down to non-league football with Gainsborough Trinity (2000), Hyde United and Mossley (both 2001), eventually becoming ‘gaffer’ at the latter club. Leaving in 2003 he joined Woodley Sports FC as Manager from 2005-07 and again 2008), then managed New Mills 2010-12.

Most recently Ally has been Reserve manager with Hyde FC (2013). He has clocked up a professional career total as a player of 306 games and six goals.

Though he has promised to return to CCFPA events several times he has not yet made it due to a variety of reasons so we look forward to seeing him back at a CCFPA event some time next season for a Sky Blues game in Coventry in the  Championship.

In the meantime ‘Many Happy Returns’ Ally and have a great birthday today!