Askey scored four goals in 39 Second Division games in 1954–55.[1] He made 26 appearances in 1955–56, before he scored five goals in 39 games in 1956–57, as Vale suffered relegation under new boss Norman Low.[1] He scored seven goals in 37 games in 1957–58, before he departed Vale Park when he was sold to Walsall for 'a fairly substantial fee' in July 1958.[1] However, he continued to train at Vale Park until 17 December 1960, when he angered Norman Low by "celebrating too much" after helping Walsall beat Vale 6–2.[3] Following that incident he trained at the Victoria Ground.[3]
Askey joined Mansfield Town on a free transfer in 1962.[6]
He had spent 18 months on the sidelines after a horrific challenge from Port Vale's Roy Pritchard.[3] The "Stags" won promotion out of the Fourth Division in fourth place in 1962–63 under Raich Carter's stewardship, and then finished seventh in the Third Division in 1963–64 under Tommy Cummings.
Former teammate Roy Sproson said: "Only his lack of real speed stopped Colin from becoming a great player because he had all the other equipment. A good crosser of the ball, Colin would take defenders on and was as brave as a lion, too", with a good "overall consistency."[7] He was fit enough to track back and defend when the opposition was in possession – a rare trait for attackers of the 1950s.[3] His former goalkeeper at Port Vale, Ray King, said that "He would consistently display a level of skill and an indomitable strength that were quite amazing" and he was impressed with his "phenomenal work rate" and the way that he "beat an opponent with comparative ease and passed and crossed the ball using either foot with supreme accuracy."[8]
Management career
After finally retiring from football, he became the manager, later chairman, of Milton United.[1] He also managed the Ind Coope Sunday League team before becoming the northern area manager of the Staffordshire Football Association.[1] After retiring as a player he worked in the insurance industry.[3]
Personal life
Askey met his wife June at the Palace Cinema in Hanley when they were 15 years old and they married in May 1953 St John's Church in Abbey Hulton.[9] They had five children: Bob, Mark, Steve, John and Joanne.[10] John played for and managed Macclesfield Town before becoming manager of Port Vale, his father's club.[11] Bob managed Newcastle Town.[12] His grandson, James Askey, played amateur football for Newcastle Town.[13] Askey was inducted int the Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of fame in November 2021.[14]
