Roy Bailey (footballer)

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Roy Bailey (26 May 1932 – 1993) was an English-born professional footballer.

Bailey was born in Epsom, Surrey, the fifth child in a family of thirteen. During World War II, he was evacuated to Somerset, and was educated in Weston-super-Mare, before returning to his native Surrey at the age of 15. He played for Tottenham Juniors; however, it was a long way to travel from Epsom to North London, so he joined nearby Crystal Palace F.C. as an Amateur. During his National Service, he served in Germany, where he represented B.A.O.R., also reaching the quarter finals of the Army Cup.

He made his League debut against Torquay United F.C. at the age of 17 when Palace lost 3-1. However, he did not make regular appearances until after his Army days. He signed for Ipswich Town F.C. on the day before the transfer deadline in March 1956, and came into the League side in the Easter local derby match with Norwich City F.C. at Carrow Road. He conceded two goals in the first three minutes. Despite this start, he soon displaced George McMillan as the Town's regular 'keeper, and won Championship medals in the First, Second, and Third Divisions of the Football League. He became a qualified M.C.C. coach and F.A. coach.

During the summer, he played cricket for Ipswich and East Suffolk, one of the leading clubs in Suffolk, for whom he kept wicket. He also ran the Ipswich footballers' darts team, which played weekly matches against local clubs.

He retired from football in 1964, and emigrated to South Africa. He was the father of former Manchester United F.C. goalkeeper Gary Bailey.

Roy Bailey, Larry Carberry, John Elsworthy, Ted Phillips, and Jimmy Leadbetter became the first, and remain the only, players who have won First, Second, and Third Division Championship medals with the same club.

He died in 1993, aged 61.