Colin Addison

Playing career

Addison was born in Taunton

In his second season, he scored 10 league goals helping York win promotion to the recently created Third Division, and midway through the 1960–61 season he was transferred to First Division side Nottingham Forest for £12,000, a then-record fee for City.

Addison was a regular at the City Ground scoring 62 goals in 160 league appearances, before being signed by Bertie Mee's Arsenal in 1966 for £45,000. His time at Highbury was hampered by injury and, after scoring an average of one goal in every three games for the Gunners, he was sold to First Division side Sheffield United at the end of the 1967 season.

Addison joined United on the recommendation of assistant manager Andy Beattie who he had played with whilst at Nottingham Forest, signing for £40,000. Signed as a centre forward and to provide goals, he remained a first-team regular until the 1971 season, when he opted to move into management, joining leading non-league side Hereford United as player-manager.

Managerial career

Player-manager

Addison arrived at Hereford United in October 1971, succeeding the legendary John Charles as player-manager. He inherited a strong group of players which he led through the club's famous giant-killing FA Cup run and ultimately election to the Football League.

In the Second Round, Addison and his team needed two replays to get past Northampton Town but it was worth the effort as a trip to top-flight Newcastle United awaited. After going 2–1 down in the tie, it was Addison who hit the 25-yard equaliser to take the Magpies to the return fixture at Edgar Street.

In front of a capacity crowd and on a quagmire of a pitch, Addison and Hereford won 2–1 after extra time with Radford and George scoring. They went on to take West Ham United to another replay in the Fourth Round before eventually losing 3–1 at Boleyn Ground.

Hereford were elected to the Football League at the end of Addison's first season as a manager, and the success continued the following season when Hereford finished as runners-up in Division Four.

Management

Addison carried on playing until November 1973, but with a broken leg, he proceeded as manager until 1974 when he left to manage South African side Durban City F.C.

He returned to England in December 1975, joining Notts County as assistant to Ronnie Fenton. His next managerial position was at Newport County achieving the 'Great Escape' of the 1976–77 season before he returned to West Bromwich Albion as assistant manager to Ron Atkinson.

After two seasons in charge at Derby County, Addison departed in 1982, returning to Newport County where he led the team to their highest post-war league finish in the 1982–83 season. In May 1985 Addison moved to Qatar to guide Al-Ahli to second position in the Qatari league. Subsequently, Addison took Celta Vigo into 'La Liga' First Division in his first season in charge.

A second spell at West Bromwich Albion as assistant manager to Ron Atkinson followed, before he and Atkinson departed for Atlético Madrid in October 1988. However, Atkinson left after only two months, with Addison taking over the leadership of the club. Addison departed Atlético Madrid leaving the capital's side fifth in La Liga, moving to Cádiz CF, where he garnered a string of victories to ensure Cadiz's position in the First Division. Addison then moved to Kuwait where he won the league with Al-Arabi, finishing above the second-placed team managed by Felipe Scolari. Returning to the UK, Addison once again took up the reins at Hereford United.

Later management roles included Yeovil Town, Swansea City and the Conference National side Forest Green Rovers, leading the club to their highest league finish at the time. He was manager of Scarborough in the 1998–99 season, when goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored a memorable goal for Carlisle United that changed the course of the season in the dying minutes, subsequently relegating Scarborough.{{cite web

Radio career

Addison was a pundit on BBC Radio Wales until 2008.

Personal life and death

Addison resided in the city of Hereford. His death there at the age of 85 was announced on 31 October 2025 .

Honours

• Football Conference Manager of the Month: February 2003
• A road, Addison Court, near the football ground in Hereford, is named in his honour.

References

References

1. (1965). "Soccer Who's Who". The Sportsmans Book Club.
2. (10 March 1999). "Addison depends on principles". The Independent.
3. "Manager History". Hereford United.
4. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39804433 Newport County Great Escape]
5. (November 2025). "Colin Addison – an appreciation". Ciderspace.
6. (5 January 2001). "On the Spot: Colin Addison". The Telegraph.
7. "Well known managers". Welsh Premier Football.
8. (3 November 2025). "Colin Addison, footballer and manager who led Hereford United to a famous FA Cup victory". The Telegraph.
9. [https://yourherefordshire.co.uk/all/sports-news/football-former-hereford-united-player-and-manager-colin-addison-has-died-at-the-age-of-85/ Former Hereford United player and manager Colin Addison has died at the age of 85] Your Herefordshire
10. (31 October 2025). "Colin Addison: Legendary Hereford United manager dies aged 85".
11. (14 June 2003). "Conference end of season awards". ConfGuide.com.