Peter McCall obituary: Former Bristol City midfielder dies at age 83

He is fondly remembered by supporters

Former Bristol City star Peter McCall has passed away at the age of the age of 83.

McCall, who joined the Robins in 1952, died on Sunday, February 9 shortly after the passing of his wife Joan.

Born in 1936, McCall was scouted playing for Kings Lynn and joined City shortly afterward but broke his ankle in just his second game for the Colts team.

McCall then had to bide his time in the reserves before he finally made his league debut on April 4, 1958, when he helped the team to a memorable 3-2 win away to Cardiff City.

He held his place at no. 4 - a wing-half position - into the following season (1958/59), during which he scored his only City goal in the 3-0 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion. The other scorers that day were Bobby Etheridge and John Atyeo.

In following seasons he had increased competition for his place in the team so, in 1962, after 84 appearances for the Robins, 78 of which were in the league, he moved to Oldham Athletic.

During McCall's time at the Robins, the club mainly played in Division Two, but were relegated to Division Three in 1959/60.

At Oldham, he renewed his friendship with Alan Williams, who made more than 130 appearances for City in a six-year spell between 1955 and 1961.

The duo helped Oldham to promotion from Division Four to Division Three in the 1962/63 season as they finished second in the old fourth division.

In the final match of the 1964/65 season, both McCall and Williams played for the Oldham at Ashton Gate, with McCall playing at no. 9 opposite John Atyeo. City’s 2-0 win that day clinched promotion as they finished above Mansfield on goal average.

After 108 appearances for the Latics, McCall moved to Southern League side Hereford United in 1965, partly in order to be able to return to live in Bristol. 

Essex-born McCall spent two years with Hereford before opting to hang up his boots in 1967.

In his retirement, Peter took up the game of bowls very successfully and played for England for four seasons.

In 2001, he finished runner-up in the over-60s pairs with Roy Hennessy at the National Indoor Championships.

McCall is survived by two sons, one daughter and several grandchildern.

His funeral will be held on Monday, March 2 at Bristol South Crematorium at 11.15am.