Phil Chisnall

Early life Chisnall was born in Manchester on 27 October 1942. He played schools football for both Lancashire and England. Growing up a fan of Manchester United, he signed for the club as an apprentice in April 1958, two months after the Munich air disaster. He suffered a knee injury that almost jeopardised his career but eventually recovered. He subsequently turned professional in November 1959.

Professional career Manchester United Chisnall made his debut for the United first team under Matt Busby in December 1961, at the age of 19, playing against Everton. He played in nine straight games and scored his first goal during a 2–0 victory in the Manchester derby at Maine Road. He spent the following season primarily with the reserve team to develop his skills. Chisnall was given the number 8 shirt at the start of the 1963–64 season, displacing Albert Quixall. He went on to form a strike partnership with Ian Moir and David Sadler, both of whom had also been recently promoted. His performance resulted in his being called up to the England under-23 team in November 1963. Alf Ramsey said at the time that Chisnall was "probably the best passer of a ball in the country".

Liverpool Chisnall was subsequently transferred to Liverpool in April 1964 for a fee of £25,000. He recounted how Busby informed him of the offer but assured him that there was no compulsion for him to leave. which he compared to brothers, as well as father and son. He scored his first goal for the club two days later in the team's first ever European Cup game in a win at KR Reykjavik on 17 August 1964. He proceeded to be the first player to touch the ball on Match of the Day, This was the most expensive transfer fee paid by Southend until it signed Bill Garner two years later. Chisnall appeared in 161 games and scored 32 goals in his four seasons with the club. He died on 4 March 2021 at the age of 78.