Ernie Tagg
Encyclopedia
Ernie Tagg was an English
professional football player and manager, particularly associated with Crewe Alexandra
.
county side and had trials for England schoolboys, Tagg originally joined Crewe in October 1937 as an inside forward. His first team debut was on 15 January 1938 against Oldham Athletic, and he scored his first senior goal three weeks later, against Rochdale. In 1939, he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers
for a then club record fee of £1800, but made just one appearance due to the start of the Second World War. Post-war, he played for Bournemouth
and Carlisle United
before returning to south Cheshire to play for non-league Nantwich Town
.
, becoming manager himself in 1964. He retained the post until effectively sacking himself in 1971 because he felt a younger manager should take charge of the club. He was replaced by Dennis Viollet
(though he also acted as club secretary until 1972; at different times, other roles included ball-boy and groundsman). He returned as manager during 1974 before Harry Gregg
arrived at the club in January 1975.
Players developed during his time at Crewe included internationals Stan Bowles
and John Mahoney
. Tagg is often quoted in respect of Bowles's gambling problems; he used to give Stan's wages direct to his wife, saying: "If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a football, he would be all right." Tagg was also acknowledged by soccer coach Alan Hargreaves for giving him the opportunity to enter professional football.
Being manager at Crewe was not well-paid, and Tagg supplemented his income by delivering milk
and managing a beer delivery round. He later managed a Crewe pub
, The Vine.
He was made an Honorary Life Vice President of the club in 1984, and was included in Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's Roll of Honour.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional football player and manager, particularly associated with Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
.
Playing career
A promising schoolboy player who represented the CheshireCheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
county side and had trials for England schoolboys, Tagg originally joined Crewe in October 1937 as an inside forward. His first team debut was on 15 January 1938 against Oldham Athletic, and he scored his first senior goal three weeks later, against Rochdale. In 1939, he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
for a then club record fee of £1800, but made just one appearance due to the start of the Second World War. Post-war, he played for Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
before returning to south Cheshire to play for non-league Nantwich Town
Nantwich Town F.C.
Nantwich Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Nantwich, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1884 and is nicknamed The Dabbers. The club is currently a member of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with home matches played at the Weaver Stadium.Nantwich...
.
Management career
Tagg returned to Crewe in the early 1950s as coach under the then manager Ralph WardRalph Ward
Ralph Ward was an English professional footballer who played for Hinckley United, Tottenham Hotspur, Bradford Park Avenue, Crewe Alexandra and represented England at schoolboy level...
, becoming manager himself in 1964. He retained the post until effectively sacking himself in 1971 because he felt a younger manager should take charge of the club. He was replaced by Dennis Viollet
Dennis Viollet
Dennis Sydney Viollet was an English footballer best remembered for his time with Manchester United in the 1950s and early 1960s.-Club career:...
(though he also acted as club secretary until 1972; at different times, other roles included ball-boy and groundsman). He returned as manager during 1974 before Harry Gregg
Harry Gregg
Henry "Harry" Gregg, MBE is a former Northern Ireland international footballer and manager.He played 25 times for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper and played for Manchester United during the reign of Sir Matt Busby with a total of 210 appearances.-Playing career:Gregg started his career with...
arrived at the club in January 1975.
Players developed during his time at Crewe included internationals Stan Bowles
Stan Bowles
Stanley Bowles was a leading English footballer who gained a reputation as one of the game's greatest mavericks. He was a cousin of Paul Bowles.-Career:...
and John Mahoney
John Mahoney (footballer)
John Mahoney is a former Welsh international footballer who played as a midfielder between the 1960s and 1980s. He attained 51 caps for Wales.-Career:...
. Tagg is often quoted in respect of Bowles's gambling problems; he used to give Stan's wages direct to his wife, saying: "If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a football, he would be all right." Tagg was also acknowledged by soccer coach Alan Hargreaves for giving him the opportunity to enter professional football.
Being manager at Crewe was not well-paid, and Tagg supplemented his income by delivering milk
Milkman
A milkman is a person, traditionally male, who delivers milk in milk bottles or cartons. Milk deliveries frequently occur in the morning and it is not uncommon for milkmen to deliver products other than milk such as eggs, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt or soft drinks...
and managing a beer delivery round. He later managed a Crewe pub
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, The Vine.
He was made an Honorary Life Vice President of the club in 1984, and was included in Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's Roll of Honour.