
Dennis is acknowledged as one of the finest English footballers never to be capped for his country. Spotted playing on Merseyside by City’s legendary Northern scout Alf Walton, Dennis came to Highfield Road as a 15-year old. A prodigious midfield player he was a key individual in the 1969-70 youth team that reached the FA Youth Cup final only to lose an enthralling four game final. His midfield duel with Spurs’ Graeme Souness was a fascinating battle and Dennis emerged with flying colours. He had already made his first team debut at this time and over the next few years emerged as an exciting attacking midfielder with a great burst of speed and a good passer. Under 23 honours came his way and he won six caps including an outstanding 2-goal display against Holland in January 1973. At Christmas 1975 with the club in a poor financial situation Dennis was sold to Aston Villa for £175,000. The fans were up in arms with Jimmy Hill and the sale of City’s outstanding young player set the tone of Hill’s tenure as a director and later chairman. Much to chagrin of City fans Dennis had an excellent career at Villa Park winning a League Championship medal in 1981 and a year later captaining the side to European Cup triumph over Bayern Munich. He left Villa for Brighton in 1985 but was back in the second city a year later, joining his former Villa boss Ron Saunders for one season at St Andrews. Since retiring Dennis has coached at West Brom and held a coaching role with the PFA.
Own goals (1)
1970-71
6 February 1971 v Stoke City A




























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































England U23, 6 caps, 2 goals
1972-73
29 November 1972 Wales U23 v England U23, Swansea, 0-3
2 January 1973 England U23 v Netherlands U23, Highbury, 3-1, 2 goals
13 February 1973 Scotland U23 v England U23, Kilmarnock, 1-2
7 March 1973 England U23 v Czecholslovakia U23, Villa Park, 1-0
29 May 1973 Netherlands U23 v England U23, Maastricht, 1-0
1 June 1973 Czecholslovakia U23 v England U23, Bratislava, 3-0
England Youth, 1 cap 1970
3 caps with England B while at Aston Villa