Andy Mullen, who played in Workington Reds’ first-ever game in the Football League has died at the age of 94.
A left-winger, Andy went on to represent Reds 70 times in League and Cup matches, scoring six times.
Following Jack Vitty’s death in 2021 aged 98, Andy became Reds oldest surviving player from their Football League days.
Newcastle-born, Andy was the younger brother of Wolves and England left winger Jimmy Mullen.
Andy had originally signed for Aston Villa but after just one season in the reserves was back on Tyneside with his parents.
He signed for South Shields and then Annfield Plain where he was spotted by Reds manager Bert Flatley.
He played for Reds in the old North Eastern League at the time the club was canvassing for a place in the Third Division North.
They were successful ahead of the 1951/52 season and Andy was in the side which lost 3-1 at Halifax in their very first game.
He had the pleasure of scoring his first League goal for the club at Borough Park against Darlington in October.
In his book Reds Remembered, author Tom Allen – who got to know Andy well in later years – tells of one particular amusing tale told by the player about a game at Borough Park.
Andy recalled: “I was having a particularly bad game and I remember over the loudspeaker system came the message that a train ticket to Newcastle had been found in the ground.
“Suddenly a wag in the crowd shouted “Give it to Mullen” and the popular side, including myself, just collapsed with laughter.”
The highlight of his time at Workington was when Reds played Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup and only lost 1-0.
Again in Reds Remembered Andy recalls: “I had one of my best games for Workington that day and can remember being very proud of the team’s and my own performance.
“I can remember rounding Les Jones, their Welsh international full-back and then squaring the ball across goal for George Dick who was narrowly wide with his shot.
“We were the better side for long periods and had the ball in the back of the net just as the referee blew for time denying us an equaliser.
“The directors were so pleased with our performance that we were awarded a £4 win bonus (illegal in those days) and those of us who wanted were allowed to stay on in Liverpool that evening, all expenses paid.”
After to years at Workington he joined Tunbridge Wells in the Southern League for another two years before being signed by Scunthorpe Utd for another tilt at League football.
His move earned Reds £1,000 for the transfer fee they had demanded but a cartilage operation restricted his appearances to just ten.
He ended his career in the Midlands League with Goole Town.
