Gil Merrick

ABOUT GIL MERRICK

One of England's best goalkeepers of the 1940s and '50s, he spent more than two decades with Birmingham City.

He signed with Birmingham at age 18 after being scouted in a trial game. He was the team's third-choice keeper to start his career.

He helped Birmingham reach to FA Cup final in 1956 and played internationally in 23 matches, winning 11 of them.

He was born in Sparkhill, Birmingham, his father a sheet metal worker who played for Birmingham semi-professionally.

Jack Bultland later became a star goalkeeper for Birmingham City.