Allan Melrose Sliman (27 February 1906 – 14 April 1945), sometimes known as Jack Sliman, was a Scottish professional footballer who made over 370 Football League appearances for Chesterfield and Bristol City as a centre half. He also had a spell as player-manager of non-League club Chelmsford City.
Career A centre half, Sliman began his career with Scottish League Second Division club Arthurlie, before Bristol City manager Alex Raisbeck paid a £280 fee to bring him to the Second Division club in September 1928. After making 136 league appearances for Bristol City, Sliman joined Second Division club Chesterfield for a £1,738 fee on 4 March 1932. He remained at Saltergate until October 1938 and was a part of the club's 1935–36 Third Division South title-winning team. Sliman finished his career with Southern League club Chelmsford City during the 1938–39 season, becoming the first signing for the newly formed club."Chelmsford City F.C. make first capture", Evening Standard, 10 May 1938, p. 32 Aside from captaining the club, he held the role of player-manager between October 1938 and March 1939.
Personal life Sliman's younger brother Richard was an amateur footballer. Before and after his professional football career, he worked as a carpenter. In 1943, during the Second World War, Sliman joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a flight engineer with No. 75 Squadron. On 14 April 1945, Sliman took part in his first bombing mission, targeting a location southwest of Potsdam. During the return trip to England, Sliman's bomber was attacked by Junkers Ju 88s and he was fatally wounded by cannon fire. He died in hospital in Ely and was buried in Chelmsford Cemetery.
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsArthurlie1925–26Scottish Second Division32130—3511926–2720000—2001927–2811000—1101928–297000—70Total70130—731Chesterfield1931–32Second Division110—001101932–33393401Appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup04431933–34Third Division North371201Appearances in Third Division North Cup04011934–353931054 appearances and 1 goal in Third Division North Cup, 1 appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup14441935–364213052 appearances in Third Division North Cup, 1 appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup, 1 appearance in Chesterfield Hospital Senior Cup05011936–37Second Division4111131 appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup, 1 appearance in Chesterfield Hospital Senior Cup, 1 appearance in Mansfield Charity Cup04521937–383206100381Total241917215127312Career total3111020315134614
Honours Chesterfield Football League Third Division North: 1935–36 Derbyshire Senior Cup: 1932–33, 1936–37 Chesterfield Hospital Senior Cup: 1935–36, 1936–37 Mansfield Charity Cup: 1936–37
References