Geoff Merrick (born 29 April 1951) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender, making over 300 career appearances.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 29 April 1951 | ||
| Place of birth | Bristol, England | ||
| Position(s) | Central defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1967–1982 | Bristol City | 367 | (10) |
| Caroline Hill | |||
| 1983 | Gloucester City[1] | 8 | (0) |
| Total | 375 | (10) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editBorn in Bristol, Merrick played for Bristol City and Caroline Hill in Hong Kong.[2] A cultured defender, his best position was at centre-back, although he was also a capable full-back. Merrick was quick, good in the air and an exceptional reader of the game. These attributes led to at least two attempts from Arsenal to sign him, both of which were rejected by Bristol City.[3] As captain, Merrick was central to Bristol City's promotion to the top flight of English football in 1976. Having been part of this modern high-point for the club, he was unable to arrest its subsequent decline as they endured a series of relegations. With financial difficulties accompanying the decline, Merrick became one of the legendary 'Ashton Gate Eight' who saved the club by ripping up their contracts and taking redundancy.[4]
References
edit- ^ Clark, Timothy R.D.; Kujawa, Rob (2009). The Complete Record of Gloucester City AFC 1883–2009. Gloucester: Tiger Timbo Publications. ISBN 978-0-9557425-1-4.
- ^ "Profile". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database.
- ^ Bristol City Greats by Ivan Ponting, Tom Morgan ISBN 9781904537335
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2005/12/02/ashtongate8_feature.shtm [dead link]
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