Proof that John Nicholson was never our manager and we didnt have one until 1932

[Silent Blade]

 

[Dkc]

'He performed managerial duties as well as those of a secretary'.

He didn't like being described as a manager but presumably he was in charge of picking the team and tactics as well as signing players, contracts etc.

 

[Silent Blade]

'He performed managerial duties as well as those of a secretary'.

He didn't like being described as a manager but presumably he was in charge of picking the team and tactics as well as signing players, contracts etc.

The committee and captain picked the team, the captain decided on tactics.

 

[blade too long]

clubs were run ad hoc back then .
secretaries were general dogsbodies
responsible for fixtures booking refs for games. Hed be on the selection committee but not like how we see managers
write to Roy Hodgson he was around then he can explain

 

[Stevo]

I will sleep well tonight

 

[HD8 Blades]

Finally, closure

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Good find - presumably from a Blades matchday programme. Must be early '60s if Len Allchurch is mentioned.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Does this mean a points deduction?

 

[tincan]

So replace Bettis and Hecky with an overlapping secretary and the good times will be back

 

[Dkc]

The committee and captain picked the team, the captain decided on tactics.

Was Nicholson on the committee? If so I expect he had a big say in team selection, and you can't select a team without deciding on formation and tactics.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Good find - presumably from a Blades matchday programme. Must be early '60s if Len Allchurch is mentioned.

On this week’s 60 Years Ago thread

 

[Silent Blade]

Was Nicholson on the committee? If so I expect he had a big say in team selection, and you can't select a team without deciding on formation and tactics.

He was responsible for signings, contracts and secretarial work. Dont think he was involved in team selections

 

[Silent Blade]

Good find - presumably from a Blades matchday programme. Must be early '60s if Len Allchurch is mentioned.

From HodgysBrokenThumb 's 60 year ago thread

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

From HodgysBrokenThumb 's 60 year ago thread

A small favour in return for the great volume of material you have provided me with…

 

[Tom Bott]

Arthur Wharton - The First Black Footballer
During the 1894-5 season Arthur, the fastest man in Britain between 1886-8, played three games for United's first team - in goal. It wasn't some quirk of Blades management to restrict one of the fastest men on Earth to a small area at one or the other end of the pitch. Arthur had played in goal for Darlington, Preston North End and Rotherham before being enticed to Sheffield by Tom Bott, a United director and unofficial team manager. Bott had been Arthur's manager during his professional running days. What may have made Arthur's mind up was the additional offer of taking over the Sportsman Cottage pub in Button Lane. He liked a drink.

Unfortunately for Arthur United had also signed a very promising 19 year old - and 13 stone but bulging fast goalkeeper, William "Fatty" Foulke. For the first time in his sporting life Arthur could not dislodge his competitor for the first team spot. He played only three games, against Leicester Fosse, Linfield of Belfast and Sunderland. In this last game at Roker Park, Arthur made his debut in the first division. The 'Cutlers' as the Blades were then known, lost 2-0. Arthur, the goalkeeper with the 'prodigious punch' was at fault for one. His prodigious punching letting him down when he went to fist the ball away and missed it completely.

During the 1890's to be a goalkeeper you had to be mad, bad or dangerous to know. Goalies could handle the ball anywhere in their half of the pitch and could be charged down with or without the ball. Trying to grab the ball in a crowded goal mouth, the goalie needed the protective and attacking skills of a Thai kick-boxer. Arthur didn't just fist the ball away with his 'prodigious punch', he had to get his retaliation in first.

 

[BladesOnToast]

Goalies could handle the ball anywhere in their half of the pitch and could be charged down with or without the ball. Trying to grab the ball in a crowded goal mouth, the goalie needed the protective and attacking skills of a Thai kick-boxer.

Anyone who saw the first half at Bristol City will finally understand where their 'keeper got his inspiration from