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Chris Topping |
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Barry Jackson was a king pin
in the heart of City's defence in the 1960's and in the 1970's
it was another local lad Chris Topping who was the dominant
and commanding figure.
Chris became City's first ever apprentice professional in 1967
and made his Football League debut aged 17 in a home game against
Newport County on 28th December 1968. The following week he
made his FA Cup debut at Bootham Crescent when First Division
Stoke City were the visitors in a third round tie.
In March 1969 he signed full professional terms and quickly
established himself in the senior side.
An outstanding defender he was very good in the air and a keen
tackler and was a most consistent performer. From September
1970 until April 1978 he was an ever present which constituted
a run of 355 consecutive league games - easily a record for
the club.
playing alongside Barry Swallow he was a key figure in the defence
in the promotion seasons of 1970/71 and 1973/74. In City's first
season in the Second Division he was voted "Clubman of
the Year".
A truly worthy successor to Barry Jackson he went on to make
463 senior appearances for the club, a total only bettered by
Jackson and Andy McMillian.
In May 1978 he was transferred to Huddersfield Town for £20,000
where he teamed up again with his former City boss Tom Johnston.
After three years at Leeds Road he joined Scarborough and then
had a spell as player manager with Northallerton Town. He later
played in local football playing alongside his son in the Cliffe
village side near Selby.
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