Norman Low
Encyclopedia
Norman Harvey Low was a Scottish
football player and manager. He was the son of Scottish
international footballer, Wilf Low
.
A central defender
, he played for Newcastle United
between 1931 and 1933, before a three years spell with Liverpool
. From 1936 up until the end of World War II
he turned out for Newport County
, before he spent 1946 to 1950 with Norwich City
.
In 1950 he was appointed as Norwich City's manager, a position he held for five years. He spent 1956 to 1957 as Workington
manager, before he was installed in the hotseat at Port Vale
. He led the club to the Fourth Division
title in 1958–59
, before resigning in October 1962. Spending time as a scout at Stoke City
and Liverpool
, he was made Witton Albion
manager in 1967, before he took to the United States
for a brief spell in charge of the Cleveland Stokers
in 1968.
, but the dominant centre-half struggled to get into the first team. Though he did play eleven consecutive games in place of Tom Bradshaw for the First Division
club during the first half of the 1934–35 season.
Leaving Anfield
in 1936, he then spent ten years with Newport County
. During World War II
he also guested for Bristol City
, Everton
, Liverpool
, Swindon Town
and Lovell's Athletic
. In 1946 he moved onto Norwich City
, where he played 150 league games in four years.
Norwich City
in 1950, before he left the club in April 1955.
After a short spell in charge at Workington he was made manager of Port Vale
in February 1957. Replacing Freddie Steele
who developed the Steel/Iron curtain, Low adopted an attacking policy, instructing his players 'to go out an entertain the public'. Despite the fact that 'he never discussed the opposition' he led the club to the Fourth Division
title in 1958–59
. The club adapted well to life in Third Division
and he also helped the club lift the Supporters' Clubs' Trophy in 1961. However he could not 'see eye to eye with the board on their buying policy' and tendered his resignation in October 1962. He had travelled to Huddersfield Town
to sign Willie Davie
for a £20,000 fee; however during his absence the Port Vale directors finalized agreements for Freddie Steele to return to the club, and upon his return he found himself out of a job.
He later served as a scout at Stoke City
and Liverpool
before taking up the reigns at Witton Albion
in 1967. He later emigrated to North America
, where he became the coach of Cleveland Stokers
.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
football player and manager. He was the son of Scottish
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
international footballer, Wilf Low
Wilf Low
Wilfrid "Wilf" Lawson Low was a footballer who played as a centre-half for Aberdeen and Newcastle United....
.
A central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, he played for Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
between 1931 and 1933, before a three years spell with Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. From 1936 up until the end of World War II
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...
he turned out for Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, before he spent 1946 to 1950 with Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
.
In 1950 he was appointed as Norwich City's manager, a position he held for five years. He spent 1956 to 1957 as Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
manager, before he was installed in the hotseat at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. He led the club to the Fourth Division
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...
title in 1958–59
1958–59 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's forty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South. They scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division...
, before resigning in October 1962. Spending time as a scout at Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, he was made Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
manager in 1967, before he took to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for a brief spell in charge of the Cleveland Stokers
Cleveland Stokers
The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based out of Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium....
in 1968.
Playing career
Low began his professional career with LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, but the dominant centre-half struggled to get into the first team. Though he did play eleven consecutive games in place of Tom Bradshaw for 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....
club during the first half of the 1934–35 season.
Leaving Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
in 1936, he then spent ten years with Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. During World War II
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...
he also guested for Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
and Lovell's Athletic
Lovells Athletic F.C.
Lovell's Athletic F.C. was the works team for Lovell's sweet factory in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, which played professional football from 1918 until 1969.-History:...
. In 1946 he moved onto Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, where he played 150 league games in four years.
Management career
Low was appointed manager of Third DivisionFootball League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
in 1950, before he left the club in April 1955.
After a short spell in charge at Workington he was made manager of Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in February 1957. Replacing Freddie Steele
Freddie Steele (footballer)
Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title...
who developed the Steel/Iron curtain, Low adopted an attacking policy, instructing his players 'to go out an entertain the public'. Despite the fact that 'he never discussed the opposition' he led the club to the Fourth Division
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...
title in 1958–59
1958–59 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's forty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South. They scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division...
. The club adapted well to life in Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
and he also helped the club lift the Supporters' Clubs' Trophy in 1961. However he could not 'see eye to eye with the board on their buying policy' and tendered his resignation in October 1962. He had travelled to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
to sign Willie Davie
Willie Davie
William Clark "Willie" Davie was a Scottish professional footballer, who played for a number of Scottish and English football clubs during the 1940s and 1950s.- References :*, www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com...
for a £20,000 fee; however during his absence the Port Vale directors finalized agreements for Freddie Steele to return to the club, and upon his return he found himself out of a job.
He later served as a scout at Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
before taking up the reigns at Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
in 1967. He later emigrated to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, where he became the coach of Cleveland Stokers
Cleveland Stokers
The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based out of Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium....
.
as a Manager
with Port Vale- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe 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...
champion: 1958–591958–59 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1958–59 season was Port Vale's forty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South. They scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division... - Supporters' Clubs' Trophy winner: 1961