Allan "Ollie" Mansley

[JTofBFC]

Those of you over the age of 40 will remember with fondness Allan Mansley who played on the wing for us in the late 60s and early 70s.

I recently noticed that Amanda Mansley had registered on this board so I asked her just out of interest really if she was related and got a very nice but sad PM from her.

It is reproduced below with her agreement.

To be honest Allans last season with the Bees was my first as a fan so I dont have many memories other than that he was a tricky winger who could turn a game and was something of a character. I'm not even sure what happened to him footballwise after he left Brentford as he was still in his early 20s then.

If anyone has any stories or memories of Allan's time at Brentford, I think his family would be interested to hear them so please post them below.

RIP "Ollie" Mansley.

.................................................. .............................................

"Hello,

Yes, I am Allan 'Ollie' Mansley's daughter.
It still surprises me that people would remember my dad from so many years ago!
It was because of something somebody said last week that made me put his name in a search engine - and up came the Griffin Grapevine. There was a thread about remembering worst tackles and favourite players - and there was his name.
He would have been so excited to look this site up himself. Sadly he died suddenly of a massive heart attack 3 yrs ago - and he was just starting to get along with computers.
My dad was the best dad ever and would have done anything for anyone. I read in one of the threads, someone called him a star, they weren't wrong. He didn't drink or smoke, but his passion was hot and fiery food.
He was far to busy all the time with work to go to any matches - but he watched football every spare moment - his team being Everton.
His other passion where my mum and sister - we all miss him more than any words can express.
I am no longer a Mansley as I got married 2 yrs ago, and now have a 9 month old son called Joshua. I met my husband shortly after my dad died, so he didn't get to meet the wonderful person I am going to spend the rest of my life with, or my precious little baby boy.
But I like to think he is an angel in the sky watching down on us - and who knows, some of the family genes might pass down to Joshua. We could have a future England player in the making.
Thankyou for remembering my dad.
Amanda Gleave Xxx"

[Davee]

It's a wee bit hazy, because I was quite young (then!).

I had two heroes in those days: Allan Mansley and George Best. I even asked my mum if I could have my hair cut like his!

He was an amazing winger, could beat people without really trying. My first real football hero.

Trouble was: we were in the lower leagues and his skill just led to him being kicked all over the park.

Match after match...

He often took to the field with what looked like his whole leg covered in a bandage! And then go and take on about 5 players!

I'm sure he's looking down, perhaps he gave a little ray of stardust to Mr Rhodes on Saturday!

A wonderful bloke!

[West Wilts Bee]

I have really had a great last few days with the bees avoiding the drop. But i have just read Amanda's post , and I am really saddened to hear that news. Ollie mansley was my hero at the time, and it is fair to say he was our top player. I can remember him score some really cracking goals, I think we signed him from Skelmersdale.
I know Alan will be fondly remembered by the fans of the 70's era.

RIP Alan.

[Swinedonbee]

Oddly enough, when I saw an Amanda Mansley had logged in as a user, the same thought went through my mind that she might be a relative of Allan Mansley. My memories are increasingly hazy, as I was a mere nipper in those days, but he used to play in the very first Brentford teams I came to see.

What a sad story - he can't have been very old.

[thefatcd]

I'm really quite upset over this sad news, as it was the dazzling wing play of 'Ollie' Mansley that really got me hooked on the Bee's, and i'm sure anybody who remembers a League cup tie with Hull City at Griffin Park in the late 60's when he single handedly tore them apart will tell you he really was Brentford's answer to George Best. I hope in this our centenary season at GP and the celebrations that are planned, that the club can find a small moment to pay tribute to someone who truly was agreat player, probably the most exciting that I have ever seen in those famous red and white stripes.



RIP 'Ollie'

[Nigel Brooks]

I am gutted at the passing of 'the fifth Beatle' (so named because of his mop-top haircut).

I heard someone mention that they were trying to get in touch with him to come back for the 100 years celebration.

Seems I will never have the chance to again shake the hand of one of my early Bees heroes.

RIP 'Ollie' and, sadly all too belated, condolences to Amanda and the other members of the Mansley family.

[love and mercy]

I remember Ollie well . He was a great player with a cracking shot.
Sad news

[Wise old Bee]

What sad news this is. "Ollie" Mansley lit up Griffin Park in an otherwise drab period for the club. I believe he first came to prominence with non-league Skelmersdale who reached the old amateur cup final in 67(?) in the days when you would get 70,000 at Wembley for these finals. They lost to Enfield in a replay after drawing 0-0 and missing a penalty at Wembley. I think he joined us from Blackpool and started slowly but became a real star and a really nice bloke. I was coming home from Stamford Bridge after a midweek game and Alan was on the train having been to the same game. He chatted to us until he got off at South Ealing and autographed our Chelsea programmes. Those of us who saw him injured so badly against Chesterfield (savage foul by Keith Kettleborough) will remember the real anger of Brentford supporters and a big mob gathered in Braemar Road after the match to seek retribution. He was my favourite player during his time at GP and we were sad when he left for Notts County.

To all his family we offer our sorrow and our thanks for a great man. Get any group of Brentford supporters who were around in the late sixties together and it will not be long before the name of Alan Mansley comes up. RIP.

[Green Dragon Bee]

So sorry to hear the news about your dad Amanda. He really was our star player at the time, the sort of guy who could do something special and turn a game for us. Ollie was my favourite player, never seen a better winger play for us!

[Santa Barbara Bee]

I would like to echo all of the above comments - 'Ollie' was easily my favourite player during that period, blessed as he was with amazing speed and control. From what I remember his wing partner for a while was George Dobson, 'Dobbo's' dad. I wonder if George or Michael have any memories to share.

[Woking Bee]

I'd like to offer my condolences to Ollie's family. My greatest ever hero at Brentford and in my opinion the best left winger this club has had in the last 40 years or so if not ever.

He had incredible pace, I remember that he used to play the ball past full backs and then leave them in his wake. He also had a fantastic shot and scored a number of goals from acute angles out on the wing.

As a Bee, the Hull City League Cup game was probably his greatest moment as he took apart an extremely good team and his second goal that night was the greatest goal I have ever seen at Griffin Park.

RIP Ollie.

[Bangor Bee]

Very sad news, but good to hear that he obviously had a very happy family life. Ollie's performance against Hull City in the League Cup was probably the best performance from a Brentford player that I can ever remember. Fantastic atmosphere that night. Ollie certainly came in for a rough time from defenders, and if I bumped into Keith Kettleborough today, I'd still feel inclined to kick him on the shin.

[North London Bee]

What a shock, particularly when Olly died 3 years ago. I can only reiterate what has been said by so many already.

He was my first real Brentford hero and as a teenager I really saw him as our own West London Beatle.

On his day he was unstoppable and we all thought that he was bound for greater things but like a meteor he seemed to fizzle out perhaps due to injury and he was never able to fulfill his vast talent.

I was there on that fantastic night when he tore Hull City apart and will never forget that performance.

Rest in peace Olly and thanks for the wonderful memories.

[Milton Keynes Bee]

Very sad to hear of Ollie's death. One of my first heros. Long hair, amazing speed, great shot.

The Hull City League Cup match was his great night.

I rembember the Kettleborough tackle - he was never quite the same afterwards.

[NW USA Bee]

As a regular Bee of the 60s, 70's and early 80's ( I moved to the States) in 83, Ollie was one of the great characters at the club. On top of this he could play a bit too, had an interesting running style with his arms waving from side to side. Was at the game where Kettleboro broke his leg, was a vicious, nasty tackle and sadly he was never the same after it.

I truly hope that the club recognise Alan in some way he truly deserves it. I had tears in my eyes reading this thread, it is as though another part of the Bees has gone forever:(

[steve bee]

Alan Ollie Mansley will always be one of my all time favourite players. My father and i often still talk about him. He played in my first ever visit to Griffin Park in 1968. A real shock and Very sad news to read this thread, but Ollie will never be forgotten and i will always have my magical memories of him running down the left wing in a bees shirt.

Alan Ollie Mansley a true star.

[gj]

Ollie mansley the reason i love this club

[steve bee]

Just like to add to my reply yesterday, that when it was announced about the up coming 100 years at Griffin park match, the first name i thought of was of course Alan Ollie Mansley.

[Hungerford Bee]

He was one the first players to really make an impression on me when my Dad starting taking me to the shrine.

The crowd seemed to take a sharp intake of breath every time he got the ball - in space or not

RIP

[longdistancebee]

Somebody is ripping our past away. I clearly remember seeing Ollie for the first time. I think it was indeed Blackpool that he came from, and we bought him at the same time as Ron Fenton, and they both made their debuts together, at home, though I cannot remember against whom (100 Years is up in the loft!).

My condolences to your family Amanda. Your father gave me and many others some tremendous memories. I was probably about 12 or 13 when we bought him, and he will always be in my BFC First XI.