MALCOLM Allison, the man who many of us recognise as the main instigator of the famed West Ham United Academy in the 50s, has died today (Oct 15) at the age of 83.

During his playing days, Allison made 238 league and 17 cup appearances at centre-half for West Ham, scoring 10 goals, and became a powerful figure on an off the field.

A fitness fanatic, he introduced his Hammers’ team-mates to weight training and other habits that he had learned from studying the great Hungarian team of the early 50s. He paid attention to detail and it was he who persuaded manager Ted Fenton to introduce continental-style kit and lightweight boots. He was years ahead of his time.

After signing from Charlton Athletic in February 1951, he assumed an air of authority around the Boleyn Ground that some believed undermined manager Ted Fenton, who always seemed happy to let Allison run things much the way he pleased.

Tragically, Allison’s playing career ended after he lost a lung as the result of tuberculosis. He was cruelly struck down by the illness eight games into Hammers’ 1957-58 promotion-winning season back to the top flight.

Although forced into early retirement, his immense contribution to the club cannot be measured by his efforts on the field. In many ways, this innovator and tactician did more than anyone to shape the future of West Ham as one of the most influential figures in the club’s history.

His celebrated role as a part-time youth coach in the 50s (assisted by his great friends and team-mates Noel Cantwell and John Bond), nurturing along many of the talented youngsters who would go on to international success, was what marked him out as a football visionary.

Undoubtedly his greatest success was his coaching of the young Bobby Moore. While some at the club were ready to dismiss the chubby boy from Barking who supposedly ‘couldn’t run or head the ball’, the perceptive Allison encouraged, educated and inspired Moore and set him on the path to greatness.

Moore was one who visited Allison at Midhurst, Surrey where he had been convalescing after TB struck. They enjoyed a master-pupil relationship that flourished. The irony is that Allison’s illness opened the door for Moore to make his Hammers’ debut at 17 in September 1958.

England’s World Cup-winning skipper always credited Malcolm, his mentor, most for what he went on to achieve in the game. They always shared a great mutual friendship and respect. Moore once wrote: “He was the be-all and end-all for me. I would do anything for him.”

John Cartwright, an ex-Hammer who developed as a player under Allison and went on to become one of Britain’s most respected coaches, once said: “Malcolm Allison should be revered for what he put in place at West Ham. They should have a statue to honour him.”

Most people in football remember the charismatic ‘Big Mal’ for his flamboyant champagne lifestyle - smoking big cigars, frolicking with Bunny Girls and wearing fedoras, all of which helped to keep him in the public eye long into his illustrious career.

But there was clearly much, much more to this great ‘football man’ than his thirst for the limelight and his outspoken manner that made him one of the best-ever TV pundits during ITV’s coverage of the 1970 World Cup.

His greatest achievements were as the coach who inspired Manchester City to their greatest triumphs. Having arrived at Maine Road in 1965 as assistant manager to Joe Mercer, Allison guided City to the Second Division crown in 1966, the League championship in 1968, FA Cup glory in 1969 and European Cup-Winners’ Cup and League Cup victories in 1970.

Allison managed 11 clubs at home and abroad, leading Sporting Lisbon to the Portuguese League and Cup in 1982.

He took charge of Crystal Palace on two separate occasions, and also had spells as manager of Bath, Plymouth, Galatasaray, Toronto City, Middlesbrough and Bristol Rovers.

After retiring from football, Allison worked as a radio pundit in the North-East for a while – before he was axed after unwittingly swearing on air.

Sadly, in recent years his deteriorating dementia kept him out of the public eye, although his good friend Francis Lee, another former player who owed Allison much for the way he developed his career, would often bring him from his home near Altrincham to watch City games until it was no longer possible.

We should never forget what Malcolm Allison did for West Ham.