Quick Facts
Biography
Michael John "Mick" Morris (born 20 January 1943) is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He spent time with Barking, Grays Athletic, West Ham United (without making a first-team appearance), and Faversham Town, before he joined Oxford United in 1964. He helped the club to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1964–65, before he moved on to Port Vale in July 1967. He helped the "Valiants" to also win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1969–70, before he was moved on to Stafford Rangers in May 1972. After five years with Rangers he ended his career at Leek Town.
Playing career
Morris played for Barking (Isthmian League), Grays Athletic, West Ham United (without making a first-team appearance), and Faversham Town, before he joined Oxford United. He helped Arthur Turner's "U's" to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in the 1964–65 campaign. United managed to establish themselves in the Third Division in 1965–66 and 1966–67. He scored 15 goals in 90 league games during his time at the Manor Ground.
Morris signed with Stanley Matthews's Port Vale in July 1967. He scored six goals in 31 appearances in the 1967–68 season and scored five goals in 38 games during the 1968–69 season. He then found himself as a utility player at Vale Park under manager Gordon Lee, and missed just two of the "Valiants" 52 games in the 1969–70 Fourth Division promotion-winning campaign. He nevertheless had a fractured relationship with Lee. Morris was an ever-present 1970–71 season, scoring eight goals in 48 appearances. He then scored three goals in 33 games in the 1971–72 campaign. He was given a free transfer in May 1972, after becoming disillusioned with Lee's defensive tactics. He then spent five years with nearby Northern Premier League side Stafford Rangers; he appeared for them at Wembley. He later played for Leek Town and Jubilee W.M.C.
Post-retirement
After retiring as a player he settled in North Staffordshire. He also ran the first ten Potteries marathons, as well as twice in the London Marathon. In 2006 he underwent a double heart bypass operation.
Statistics
- Sourced from Mick Morris profile at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
| Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | Other | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Oxford United | 1964–65 | Fourth Division | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 3 |
| 1965–66 | Third Division | 27 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 5 | |
| 1966–67 | Third Division | 34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 7 | |
| Total | 90 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 95 | 15 | ||
| Port Vale | 1967–68 | Fourth Division | 30 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 6 |
| 1968–69 | Fourth Division | 33 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 5 | |
| 1969–70 | Fourth Division | 45 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 3 | |
| 1970–71 | Third Division | 46 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 8 | |
| 1971–72 | Third Division | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | |
| Total | 184 | 24 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 200 | 25 | ||
| Career Total | 274 | 39 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 295 | 40 | ||
Honours
- with Oxford United
- Football League Fourth Division fourth place promotion winner: 1964–65
- with Port Vale
- Football League Fourth Division fourth place promotion winner: 1969–70
- Kent, Jeff (1990). "Surviving on a Shoestring (1969–1979)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 227–257. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.