Background
Coleman was born in Prescot and joined Stoke City in 1953 as an amateur from Gorleston, Norfolk where he was completing his National Service at the local Royal Air Force base.
Coleman was born in Prescot and joined Stoke City in 1953 as an amateur from Gorleston, Norfolk where he was completing his National Service at the local Royal Air Force base.
He holds the record for most goals scored in a match by a Stoke City player (7). Stoke helped Coleman secure his released from the services in January 1954 although rules meant he could not turn professional for a year. However a career ending injury to John Malkin in October 1956 handed Coleman his chance in the first team
Whilst he lacked pace he was very difficult to dispossess.
In the 1956-1957 season Coleman hit a rich vain of form in-front of goal scoring 27 goals, including a hat-trick against Middlesbrough. Although he failed to find the Netto again thereafter.
Coleman scored 14 goals in 37 games in 1957-1958 before Taylor decided to sell Coleman to Crewe Alexandra in February 1959 for £1,000. He later worked for Rolls Royce before emigrating to Australia.
He quickly became a key member of the Stoke team although an often frustrating one becoming notoriously inconstant.