With a full-time academic career, Slater played much of his football as an amateur. He won 20 caps at that level and skippered his country and played in the 1952 Olympics.
He joined Blackpool in 1949 and scored their quickest ever goal – after 11 seconds against Stoke in December that year. He played against Newcastle in the 1951 FA Cup final, the last amateur to appear in the showpiece game. After a spell at Brentford his work brought him to Birmingham and he joined Wolves. Cool, calm and commanding, Slater secured his place at half-back in the First Division title-winning side of 1953–4 and was chosen for the full England side the following season. He returned to the England team aged 31 after the tragic death of Duncan Edwards and played in the 1958 World Cup finals. Having played in Wolves’ title-winning teams of 1957–8 and 1958–9, he switched to centre-half to such good effect that he captained his club when they won the FA Cup, was recalled to the England team and voted Footballer of the Year – all in 1960. Awarded OBE and CBE for services to sport.
Date of birth: April 29, 1927.
Years with Club: 1952 to 1963.
Club signed from: Brentford.
Appearances: 339.
Goals: 25.
International caps: 12.
