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English footballer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alan Willey (born 18 October 1956) is an English former footballer who spent most of his playing career in the United States. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2003.[1]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 18 October 1956 | ||
Place of birth | Houghton-le-Spring, England | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1974–1977 | Middlesbrough | 49 | (7) |
1976–1981 | Minnesota Kicks | 134 | (80) |
1979–1981 | Minnesota Kicks (indoor) | 30 | (39) |
1981–1982 | Montreal Manic (indoor) | 10 | (2) |
1981–1983 | Montreal Manic | 80 | (34) |
1984 | Minnesota Strikers | 24 | (15) |
1984–1988 | Minnesota Strikers (indoor) | 191 | (151) |
1988–1989 | San Diego Sockers (indoor) | 47 | (20) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Born in Houghton-le-Spring, Willey is the second-leading goal scorer in the history of the North American Soccer League (NASL).[2] Willey played most of his career with the Minnesota Kicks and was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2003.
He began his career with the English football club Middlesbrough in 1974.[3] In the NASL, he played for the Minnesota Kicks (1976 to 1981), the Montreal Manic (1981 to 1983) and the Minnesota Strikers (1984).
He finished his NASL career with 129 goals in 238 games[4] and an additional 13 goals in 26 play-off games. He memorably scored five goals in a play-off game against the New York Cosmos in 1978. His nickname was 'The Artful Dodger.'[5]
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