Frank Womack
Encyclopedia
Francis "Frank" Womack was an English
association football player and manager born in Stannington
, Sheffield
, Yorkshire
. He still holds the league appearances record for Birmingham City
playing 491 games and holds the league record for most games (511) by an outfield player without scoring a goal. He died in Caistor
, Lincolnshire
, at the age of 80.
from Rawmarsh Albion, having previously played for Lapham Street. He made his league debut in September 1908, away to Gainsborough Trinity
. He spent nearly his entire playing career at Birmingham, never signing a contract, and was club captain for 16 years from 1912 to 1928.
During his time at the club, they twice finished in 3rd place in the Second Division
(1913, 1920) and won the Second Division in 1921 and were still in the First Division
when Womack left in May 1928 to join Worcester City
as player-manager. In his first season with Worcester, Womack guided them to the Birmingham League title and to the first round of the FA Cup
. He returned to League football at the end of the season, joining Torquay United
, where he played a further 19 league games and 1 FA Cup
appearance.
as manager of Torquay. United finished 11th in Division Three (South) in his first season, but slumped to 19th the following season.
In May 1932, Womack was appointed as manager of Grimsby Town
, just after their relegation from the First Division. Whilst manager of Grimsby Town, Womack guided them to their great period of success, with promotion back to the First Division as champions, an all time highest league placing of 5th in 1935 and a FA Cup
semi final in 1936.
In October 1936, Womack moved to Leicester City
as manager, then near the bottom of Division Two. He signed Jack Bowers
from Derby County
, and his goals (33 in 27 games) helped City to the title and promotion. He resigned following their relegation in May 1939. Just before World War II was declared, the local Leicester newspapers published articles that claimed that Womack had several thousand pounds available to spend on players. Womack disputed this and referred all enquirers to his Board of Directors. As a direct result, he resigned and moved to Fleetwood, Lancashire in April 1940.
He returned to management in July 1942, taking over at Notts County
, but left three years later. In February 1945 he took over at Oldham Athletic
, but resigned in April 1947 after Oldham had struggled in the first post-war
season.
Womack went back to Grimsby for a stint as 'guest' manager January in 1951 for 5 months whilst manager Charlie Spencer
was recovering from an illness. He left in May 1951, after Grimsby's relegation.
Leicester City
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...
association football player and manager born in Stannington
Stannington
Stannington Ward—which includes the districts of Loxley, Stannington, and Worrall, and also the small villages of Dungworth, High Bradfield, and Low Bradfield—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the western part of the city and covers an area...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. He still holds the league appearances record for Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
playing 491 games and holds the league record for most games (511) by an outfield player without scoring a goal. He died in Caistor
Caistor
See Caistor St Edmund for the Roman settlement in Norfolk or Caister-on-Sea for the town in NorfolkCaistor is a town and civil parish situated in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. As its name implies, it was originally a Roman castrum or fortress...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, at the age of 80.
Playing career
Frank Womack began his professional football career in July 1908 when he joined BirminghamBirmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
from Rawmarsh Albion, having previously played for Lapham Street. He made his league debut in September 1908, away to Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
. He spent nearly his entire playing career at Birmingham, never signing a contract, and was club captain for 16 years from 1912 to 1928.
During his time at the club, they twice finished in 3rd place in the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
(1913, 1920) and won the Second Division in 1921 and were still in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
when Womack left in May 1928 to join Worcester City
Worcester City F.C.
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
as player-manager. In his first season with Worcester, Womack guided them to the Birmingham League title and to the first round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. He returned to League football at the end of the season, joining Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, where he played a further 19 league games and 1 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
appearance.
Management
In July 1930 Womack took over from Albert HoskinsAlbert Hoskins
Albert Herbert Hoskins was an English football forward and football manager, who managed Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gillingham and Torquay United.-Playing career:...
as manager of Torquay. United finished 11th in Division Three (South) in his first season, but slumped to 19th the following season.
In May 1932, Womack was appointed as manager of Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, just after their relegation from the First Division. Whilst manager of Grimsby Town, Womack guided them to their great period of success, with promotion back to the First Division as champions, an all time highest league placing of 5th in 1935 and a FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi final in 1936.
In October 1936, Womack moved to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
as manager, then near the bottom of Division Two. He signed Jack Bowers
Jack Bowers
John William Anslow "Jack" Bowers was an English footballer, who was twice the top scorer in the Football League and made three appearances for England.-Early days:...
from Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, and his goals (33 in 27 games) helped City to the title and promotion. He resigned following their relegation in May 1939. Just before World War II was declared, the local Leicester newspapers published articles that claimed that Womack had several thousand pounds available to spend on players. Womack disputed this and referred all enquirers to his Board of Directors. As a direct result, he resigned and moved to Fleetwood, Lancashire in April 1940.
He returned to management in July 1942, taking over at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, but left three years later. In February 1945 he took over at Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, but resigned in April 1947 after Oldham had struggled in the first post-war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
season.
Womack went back to Grimsby for a stint as 'guest' manager January in 1951 for 5 months whilst manager Charlie Spencer
Charlie Spencer
Charles William "Charlie" Spencer was an English footballer and manager.-Playing:Spencer joined Newcastle United from non-league football in October 1921. He played for the club until 1928, making a total of 175 appearances and scored 1 goal.In January 1928, Spencer signed for Manchester United...
was recovering from an illness. He left in May 1951, after Grimsby's relegation.
As player
Birmingham- Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Champions: 1921
As manager
Grimsby Town- Second Division Champions: 1934
Leicester City
- Second Division Champions: 1937