Thomas Mitchell (football manager)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Brown Mitchell was a multiple FA Cup
winning Scottish
football
manager.
in 1884. The club then went on to five FA Cup wins in eight seasons between 1884 and 1891. The final win in 1891 was against the Notts County side featuring David Calderhead
. It does not appear documented if Mitchell was on board for the first of the FA Cup finals. Even with 4 FA Cups, he remains the most successful major trophy winner in the history of Blackburn Rovers.
Mitchell left Blackburn after 12 years as manager in 1896.
, after the club decided to appoint a professional manager following their defeat at the hands of Millwall
in the FA Cup
. There is some doubt over whether he was Arsenal's first- or second-ever manager; Sam Hollis
is credited on the club's official website as being the club's first manager, other historical sources claim Hollis was only the club's trainer
and thus Mitchell was the club's first manager – a view reinforced by the club's own official history, amongst other sources.
Regardless of whether Hollis was properly in charge of the club during his time there, Mitchell is nevertheless credited as being Arsenal's first professional manager. However, he only lasted less than a season in the job, and although the club would reach fifth in the Second Division
in 1897-98
, neither he nor most of his signings stayed long with the club. Mitchell resigned as Arsenal manager on 10 March 1898.
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...
winning Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
football
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...
manager.
Blackburn Rovers
Mitchell became secretary-manager of Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in 1884. The club then went on to five FA Cup wins in eight seasons between 1884 and 1891. The final win in 1891 was against the Notts County side featuring David Calderhead
David Calderhead
David Calderhead was a Scottish footballer who later became a manager, notably of Chelsea.-Playing career:...
. It does not appear documented if Mitchell was on board for the first of the FA Cup finals. Even with 4 FA Cups, he remains the most successful major trophy winner in the history of Blackburn Rovers.
Mitchell left Blackburn after 12 years as manager in 1896.
Arsenal
Mitchell joined Woolwich ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, after the club decided to appoint a professional manager following their defeat at the hands of Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
in 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...
. There is some doubt over whether he was Arsenal's first- or second-ever manager; Sam Hollis
Sam Hollis
Sam Hollis was an English football trainer and manager.Born in Nottingham as Samuel Woodroffe Moore, he had comparatively little football experience, having previously worked in the local registry and as a landlord in a pub...
is credited on the club's official website as being the club's first manager, other historical sources claim Hollis was only the club's trainer
Athletic trainer
An athletic trainer is a certified, health care professional who practices in the field of sports medicine. Athletic training has been recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession since 1990....
and thus Mitchell was the club's first manager – a view reinforced by the club's own official history, amongst other sources.
Regardless of whether Hollis was properly in charge of the club during his time there, Mitchell is nevertheless credited as being Arsenal's first professional manager. However, he only lasted less than a season in the job, and although the club would reach fifth 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...
in 1897-98
1897-98 in English football
The 1897–98 season was the 27th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, neither he nor most of his signings stayed long with the club. Mitchell resigned as Arsenal manager on 10 March 1898.