James West was the second full-time secretary and de facto manager of football club Newton Heath

Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

, the precursor to Manchester United

Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

; the term "manager" was not in common usage at the club until the arrival of Jack Robson

Jack Robson

John "Jack" Robson was an Englishman who was the full-time secretary manager of Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as manager of Manchester United...

 in 1914.) West oversaw Newton Heath's financial collapse and near bankruptcy, followed by the club's re-birth as Manchester United on 28 April 1902.