
The son of a Rugby League international, Cattlin had been tutored as a full-back at Huddersfield’s Leeds Road where many famous England full-backs had been developed. City beat off several top teams, including Chelsea to win his signature, and paid a fee of £70,000. Chris made a dream debut marking George Best as City beat Man United 2-0 and repaid City with an eight-year career at the club. He wasn’t always flavour of the month with City’s management and Gordon Milne rarely picked him in two seasons, preferring a young Jimmy Holmes one season and then the veteran Scot Jim Brogan. Chris did regain his place but in 1976 he was given a free transfer. His fan club collected signatures for a petition for his reprieve but it was all to no avail.
A stylish left-back, who won two England under 23 caps, Chris could also mix it with the best and twice received his marching orders whilst at City. The first occasion, at Everton, was a case of mistaken identity and Chris took the rap for Jeff Blockley, the second, at West Ham was a no-brainer for the referee after Cattlin and Bobby Gould got embroiled with their handbags.
Chris joined Brighton and helped the Seagulls to rise from Division Three to Division One in three seasons. After hanging up his boots Chris bought a rock shop on the sea front at Brighton but in 1983, just weeks after Brighton’s first FA Cup final appearance (they were beaten in a replay by Manchester United) he was appointed manager of the club. He had three reasonably successful years before losing his job.
Since then he has built up substantial property investments in Brighton and Spain and splits his time between the two locations.
Red cards (2)
1971-72
2 October 1971 v Everton A, push on David Johnson. later rescinded
1974-75
19 April 1975 v West Ham United A, kicking out at Bobby Gould






























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































England U23, 2 caps
1968-69
2 October 1968 Wales U23 v England U23, Wrexham, 1-3, replaced
13 November 1968 England U23 v Netherlands U23, St Andrews, 2-2