Chandler: Jeffrey George (Jeff)

1979-1981 (Player Details)

Midfield/Winger

Born: Hammersmith, London: 19-06-1959

Debut v Manchester City (h) (substitute): 29-09-1979

5’61/2” 10st 1lb (1979)

Chandler’s displays on the left side of midfield made him an effective player. He started at Blackpool in August 1976, after serving his apprenticeship, and arrived at Leeds for £100,000 in September 1979 after seven goals in thirty-seven games. It was not an easy time to play for Leeds United as it was a time of great upheaval, but he won two caps for the Republic of Ireland, through parental qualification, but left for Bolton Wanderers in October 1981 for £40,000 after generally underachieving at Leeds. He shone at Bolton Wanderers, top scoring with twenty goals in 1984-85, and making over one hundred and fifty appearances and scoring thirty-six, before moving to Derby County for £35,000 in July 1985. He played his part in Derby County’s Second Division Championship campaign in 1986-87, although he was loaned to Mansfield Town in November 1986. He returned to Burnden Park in August 1987, for £20,000, but was soon injured. He snapped the cruciate ligament in his left knee after only four games, and was out for nine months. After playing for Bolton in the Sherpa Van Trophy Final win over Torquay United at Wembley, he joined Cardiff City in November 1989 for £15,000 before a knee injury caused him to retire in June 1991. His time in the game was, by his own admission, littered with fall-outs with managers, poor self-discipline and inconsistent performances. Chandler lives in Blackpool, is a youth justice worker, helping youngsters aged between ten and seventeen with criminal convictions back towards the straight and narrow. He is also a qualified counsellor.