Grenville Hair
Encyclopedia
Grenville Hair was a footballer
who played his entire professional career for Leeds United
between 1948 and 1964. He later became the manager of Wellington Town
and Bradford City
. He died of a heart attack, aged 36, after supervising a training session at Bradford City.
. He had been signed by manager Major Frank Buckley in 1948, and went on to make 474 appearances for the clubs as a left-back scoring just two goals. He was an almost ever-present in the Leeds side for ten years until the emergence of Willie Bell and Paul Reaney
. In a poll of the 100 greatest ever Leeds United players, he was voted in at number 19.
. He stayed there until 1967, when he became coach at Bradford City
and was soon promoted to the position of manager. He started an upturn in the club's fortunes in his short role as manager before his death, from a heart attack during a training session in March 1968.
He guided City to 11th in Division Four
in 1966-67
. The following season a run of seven wins from eight games was key to City's position towards the top of the table. On the day of his death, Hair had secured the services of Tony Leighton
and Denis Atkins
. They proved to be key additions to the squad as the club narrowly missed out on promotion but did so a season later.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played his entire professional career for Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
between 1948 and 1964. He later became the manager of Wellington Town
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
and Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. He died of a heart attack, aged 36, after supervising a training session at Bradford City.
Playing career
Grenville Hair was a one-club man playing his entire professional career with Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He had been signed by manager Major Frank Buckley in 1948, and went on to make 474 appearances for the clubs as a left-back scoring just two goals. He was an almost ever-present in the Leeds side for ten years until the emergence of Willie Bell and Paul Reaney
Paul Reaney
Paul Reaney was a long-serving full back with the Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s.Reaney wore the No.2 shirt for Leeds and in a team renowned for its hard approach to the game, he more than held his own....
. In a poll of the 100 greatest ever Leeds United players, he was voted in at number 19.
Playing statistics
| Club | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
| |Apps (goals) | Apps (goals) | Apps (goals) | Apps (goals) | |
| Leeds United | 443 (1) | 21 (1) | 10 (0) | 474 (2) |
Managerial career
He stayed with Leeds until 1964, when he took up a player-manager position at Wellington TownTelford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
. He stayed there until 1967, when he became coach at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and was soon promoted to the position of manager. He started an upturn in the club's fortunes in his short role as manager before his death, from a heart attack during a training session in March 1968.
He guided City to 11th in Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 1966-67
1966-67 in English football
The 1966–67 season was the 87th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Queens Park Rangers won the Football League Cup on the first occasion it was played at Wembley, coming from 2-0 down at half-time to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2....
. The following season a run of seven wins from eight games was key to City's position towards the top of the table. On the day of his death, Hair had secured the services of Tony Leighton
Tony Leighton
Anthony "Tony" Leighton was a professional footballer who played as a striker for a number of Yorkshire clubs.Born in Leeds, Leighton played for Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley, Huddersfield Town and Bradford City....
and Denis Atkins
Denis Atkins
Denis Atkins is a former professional footballer who played as a defender for Huddersfield Town and Bradford City during his 12 year career between 1959 and 1971.-Playing career:...
. They proved to be key additions to the squad as the club narrowly missed out on promotion but did so a season later.
Bradford City managerial statistics
| Played | Won | Drew | Lost | Success Rate |
| 55 | 27 | 10 | 18 | 55.15% |