John Atyeo

Peter John Walter Atyeo (7 February 1932 – 8 June 1993) was an English footballer who played as a striker.

He spent the majority of his career at Bristol City.

He played as an amateur for Portsmouth in 1950/51, then as a part-time professional for Bristol City while qualifying as a quantity surveyor until signing full-time ahead of the 1958/59 season.

His first competitive games were for Westbury United, then Football League champions Portsmouth gave him two first team appearances in the 1950/51 season as an amateur, but he signed as a professional for Bristol City in the following season.

He enjoyed a fifteen-year career with Bristol City despite offers from Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and AC Milan which were worth around £20 million in today's money and could have made him the most expensive player in England.

He played semi-professionally for Bristol City (1951/52 to 57/58 seasons) while qualifying as a quantity surveyor, until signing full-time ahead of the 1958/59 season.

Dolman had a friend of his William Grant C.B.E. take the contract for the services of Atyeo down to Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire on 14 June 1951.

He walked along the main railway line to the signal box where Atyeo's father worked and returned with a signed contract.

The contract was unusual in having six specific clauses at the insistence of Atyeo's father.

of 1951.

Atyeo made his Football League debut at centre forward in the opening game of the 1951–52 season in a 3–1 win v Newport County on 18 August 1951.

Cyril Williams made his debut for City on his return from West Bromwich Albion in the same match.

Both Atyeo and Williams were scorers in the win.

The other goalscorer was Arnold Rodgers who had been the top scorer for Bristol City in the previous season with 20 goals in the no.9 shirt.

Rodgers played inside left in 1951–52 as newcomer Atyeo took the centre forward role.

Atyeo made 44 appearances scoring 12 goals in 1951–52 finishing joint top scorer with Arnold Rodgers who netted his 12 goals from 36 appearances.

In the FA Cup Atyeo scored both goals on his FA Cup debut in the 1st round 2–1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Atyeo should always be on top wages at Bristol City; he should always be allowed to live at home and continue his apprenticeship as a quantity surveyor; he should be allowed to drive to training on Tuesdays and Thursdays; City would donate £100 to Westbury United; City would play a friendly at Westbury United at the end of season 1952–1953 and Atyeo would not be put on the transfer list without the consent of his father.

Atyeo joined Bristol City, a mid-table side in the Third Division South, in the summer

This was the first time that Atyeo (2) appeared in the list of goalscorers, the second time was when Bristol City took a team to Westbury United on 24 April 1952 and won 2–0.

On that occasion Atyeo was helped by scoring one goal from a penalty.

He won six England caps between 1955 and 1957, scoring five goals.

Atyeo made 645 appearances for Bristol City and scored a record 351 goals for them.

Atyeo won six England caps from 1955 to 1957.

There was conjecture that Atyeo's part-time status led to his being dropped by the England selectors despite his never having been on a losing side in his six international appearances, and scoring five goals including the goal that enabled England to qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.

In 1963/64 he reverted to part-time status to prepare the way for his post-football career as a mathematics teacher.

Atyeo was born at Clivey on the outskirts of Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire.

He went to Berkley Primary School, near Frome, Somerset after his parents had moved the short distance over the county line to Standerwick when he was about six months old.

He went on to Trowbridge Boys' High School (now The John of Gaunt School).

As a schoolboy he played competitive football, rugby and cricket.

In 1963 he reverted to part-time status to prepare the way for his post-football career as a mathematics teacher.

Following his retirement from football, Atyeo became a full-time mathematics teacher at Kingdown School, Warminster, where he served for over 20 years, rising to head of mathematics, House Master of Arn House and Deputy Headmaster.

He was regarded as a dedicated teacher.

Atyeo also wrote a regular football column for the Plymouth-based Sunday Independent newspaper.

He captained the team during their promotion-winning season in 1965.

He made 645 appearances and became Bristol City's all-time top scorer with 351 goals by the time he retired in May 1966.

He died at home in Warminster of heart failure on 8 June 1993, survived by his wife Ruth and five children: Julie, Carol, Alison, Linda and Philip.

As a teenage amateur, Atyeo played twice in the top flight for the then-League Champions Portsmouth.

Both were home matches at Fratton Park and finished as draws: vs Charlton Athletic 3–3, 11/11/50 and vs Arsenal 1–1, 26/03/51.

It was due to the endeavours of the then Bristol City chairman, Harry Dolman, that Atyeo was signed by Bristol City rather than Portsmouth or other interested clubs.