ONE of the all-time greats of Manx football, Peel’s Terry Vincent, died in the early hours of Christmas Day after a long illness.
He would have been 84 next month.
Known by many as the ‘Gentleman of football’, he played a long and distinguished career at club and international level without once being booked.
He made his debut for Peel in March 1946 and was an outstanding outside right and inside forward. He was the first Peel player to make 500 senior appearances, scoring 342 goals in a total of 513 games.
Terry represented the Isle of Man 12 times (when internationals were only played once or twice a year), scoring three goals.
Although an avid Manchester United supporter, he was invited for trials at Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers.
His final match was the 1968 Railway Cup final in which Peel defeated Pulrose United 4-2.
His domestic honours included 12 Division One titles, 10 FA Cup wins, four Railway Cups and two Woods Cups.
He began coaching Peel’s junior sides in 1973 and continued until 2002 when illness reluctantly forced him to retire.
Terry was also a keen tennis and badminton player, again coaching many children in those sports.
He leaves a wife, Shirley, and son Alan.