Will Scott
Encyclopedia
William Scott was an English
footballer and football
manager who managed in England in the 1940s and 1950s.
Scott began his career as an amateur with South Shields
prior to the First World War
, but joined the Navy
in 1914. He guested for Crystal Palace
during the war and was offered a professional contract with Palace when the war ended. However, he chose to remain as an amateur with South Shields where he was assistant manager and masseur in addition to being a player.
In January 1923 Shields' manager Jimmy Lawrence
left to manage Preston North End
with Scott joining him as trainer. He continued in that role until March 1941 when he became club secretary, leaving in April 1947 to become manager of Blackburn Rovers
. His term at Blackburn was cut short when he fell ill, and in his time in charge between March and the start of December 1947, Blackburn Rovers struggled, winning just 8 and losing 16 of his 28 games. Despite his ill health, he remained with the club as a scout.
Having recovered from illness, Scott became manager of Preston in June 1949. Preston won 78, lost 49 and drew 36 of his 163 matches at the helm. He led Preston to the Second Division title in the 1950-51 season and when he left in March 1953 Preston were challenging for the Football League title, eventually finishing as runners-up on goal average.
He was later assistant manager of Sunderland
.
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...
footballer and 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 who managed in England in the 1940s and 1950s.
Scott began his career as an amateur with South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
prior to the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, but joined the Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in 1914. He guested for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
during the war and was offered a professional contract with Palace when the war ended. However, he chose to remain as an amateur with South Shields where he was assistant manager and masseur in addition to being a player.
In January 1923 Shields' manager Jimmy Lawrence
Jimmy Lawrence
James "Jimmy" Lawrence was a Scottish football player and later manager. A goalkeeper he played for Newcastle United between 1904 and 1921....
left to manage Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
with Scott joining him as trainer. He continued in that role until March 1941 when he became club secretary, leaving in April 1947 to become manager of Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn 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....
. His term at Blackburn was cut short when he fell ill, and in his time in charge between March and the start of December 1947, Blackburn Rovers struggled, winning just 8 and losing 16 of his 28 games. Despite his ill health, he remained with the club as a scout.
Having recovered from illness, Scott became manager of Preston in June 1949. Preston won 78, lost 49 and drew 36 of his 163 matches at the helm. He led Preston to the Second Division title in the 1950-51 season and when he left in March 1953 Preston were challenging for the Football League title, eventually finishing as runners-up on goal average.
He was later assistant manager of Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.