Frank Hill
Encyclopedia
Frank Robert Hill was a Scottish football
player and manager.
and started his career at Forfar Athletic
, joining the club in 1924. He moved to Aberdeen
in 1928 and played over 100 Scottish First Division
matches. A right-half (which was more or less the equivalent of a defensive midfield position), Hill earned the nickname
"Tiger" for his "tigerish" tackling. During his four years at Aberdeen, he also won three caps for Scotland
(between 1930 and 1931).
Hill left Aberdeen under something of a cloud, being one of five players dropped by manager Paddy Travers
in November 1931. At the time, the reasons were not clear, but the club's official history claims that several players had been involved in a betting scandal. No players were ever charged with any offence, but none of them ever played for Aberdeen again. Hill had played a total of 106 times for Aberdeen, scoring 10 goals.
's Arsenal
, who had just finished runners-up in both the First Division
and FA Cup
. He made his debut against Blackburn Rovers
on 15 October 1932. Although Arsenal were spoilt for choice for wing-halves (he had to compete for a place with Charlie Jones, Bob John
, Wilf Copping
and Jack Crayston
), "Tiger" Hill still featured heavily in all three of Arsenal's hat-trick of League titles (1932–33
, 1933–34
and 1934–35
), earning winner's medals for each, as well as the 1933–34 Charity Shield; Hill usually played at right half but also ably deputised at left half or even on the wing
.
Hill was squeezed out of the side by Copping and Crayston, and only featured in ten matches in 1935–36
and did not play in Arsenal's FA Cup final victory that season. He requested a transfer and was duly sold to Second Division
Blackpool
in the summer of 1936. In all he played 81 games for Arsenal, scoring four goals.
season, helping them win runners-up spot and thus promotion to the First Division. However he didn't stay in the top flight for long; in September 1937 he moved back to Second Division football, joining Southampton
.
to join Southampton
as part of his drive to strengthen the team in an attempt to gain promotion from the Second Division
, along with David Affleck
(from Clapton Orient), Billy Bevis
(from Portsmouth
) and Ray Parkin (from Middlesbrough
). Southampton paid £2000 for his services and acquired "a half-back with a strong personality and ball-winning abilities". Frank's resolve and leadership helped steer Saints away from relegation during 1937–38
, only for him to suffer a series of injuries the following season which sidelined him for long periods.
He eventually fell out with the Board of Directors when it was revealed that he had secretly applied for various managerial positions and he left the club in 1939 to take up a position as assistant trainer at Preston North End
, although Southampton refused to release his player registration until 1943. He made 53 appearances for Southampton, scoring three goals.
During the Second World War, when football was suspended, Hill served in the Royal Air Force
in India.
, playing until he was 42. He then became manager of Burnley
(1948–1954), then Preston North End
(1954–1956).
He then moved abroad in January 1957, coaching the Iraqi military team
, before returning to take over at Notts County
in 1958. He helped County to promotion to the Third Division
in 1959–60
, and moved to Charlton Athletic
, who were bottom of the Second Division, in 1961. He saved Charlton from relegation that season and took them to fourth in 1963–64
. However, he could not make the good form last and was sacked in the summer of 1965.
Hill finished his career as a scout for Manchester City
, before retiring. He moved with his wife Doris and Son David to Lafayette, California
, USA in 1967 where they owned "Picadilly Circus Fish'n Chips" and he refereed locally at the college level well into his 70s.
He died in California in June 1993, aged 87.
Blackpool
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...
player and manager.
Forfar and Aberdeen
Hill was born in ForfarForfar
Forfar is a parish, town and former royal burgh of approximately 13,500 people in Angus, located in the East Central Lowlands of Scotland. Forfar is the county town of Angus, which was officially known as Forfarshire from the 18th century until 1929, when the ancient name was reinstated, and...
and started his career at Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
, joining the club in 1924. He moved to Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in 1928 and played over 100 Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
matches. A right-half (which was more or less the equivalent of a defensive midfield position), Hill earned the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
"Tiger" for his "tigerish" tackling. During his four years at Aberdeen, he also won three caps for Scotland
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...
(between 1930 and 1931).
Hill left Aberdeen under something of a cloud, being one of five players dropped by manager Paddy Travers
Paddy Travers
Patrick "Paddy" Travers was a football player and manager in the first half of the 20th century. He played for many clubs in his native Scotland and for Barnsley in England, before becoming involved in coaching, and later, managing....
in November 1931. At the time, the reasons were not clear, but the club's official history claims that several players had been involved in a betting scandal. No players were ever charged with any offence, but none of them ever played for Aberdeen again. Hill had played a total of 106 times for Aberdeen, scoring 10 goals.
Arsenal
In 1932 he was signed by Herbert ChapmanHerbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman was an English association football player and manager. Though he had an undistinguished playing career, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential managers in early 20th century English football, before his sudden death in 1934.As a player, Chapman played for...
's Arsenal
Arsenal 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...
, who had just finished runners-up in both 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....
and 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...
. He made his debut against 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....
on 15 October 1932. Although Arsenal were spoilt for choice for wing-halves (he had to compete for a place with Charlie Jones, Bob John
Bob John
Robert Frederick "Bob" John was a Welsh football player and coach.Born in Barry, John played for Barry Town and Caerphilly, before joining English club Arsenal, who signed him amongst stiff competition, in January 1922 for a fee of £750...
, Wilf Copping
Wilf Copping
Wilfred "Wilf" Copping was an English footballer who played for Leeds United, Arsenal and the England national team.-Leeds United:...
and Jack Crayston
Jack Crayston
William John "Jack" Crayston was an English football player and manager.-Playing career:Born in Grange-over-Sands, Lancashire, Crayston played for local school sides and Ulverston Town before moving to Third Division North Barrow in 1928...
), "Tiger" Hill still featured heavily in all three of Arsenal's hat-trick of League titles (1932–33
1932-33 in English football
The 1932–33 season was the 58th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, 1933–34
1933-34 in English football
The 1933–34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
and 1934–35
1934-35 in English football
The 1934–35 season was the 60th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Arsenal become only the second team to win the League three consecutive times.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
), earning winner's medals for each, as well as the 1933–34 Charity Shield; Hill usually played at right half but also ably deputised at left half or even on the wing
Winger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
.
Hill was squeezed out of the side by Copping and Crayston, and only featured in ten matches in 1935–36
1935-36 in English football
The 1935–36 season was the 61st season of competitive football in England.-Events:Sunderland AFC won the league, and in doing so they remain the last team to win the English League while wearing striped jerseys...
and did not play in Arsenal's FA Cup final victory that season. He requested a transfer and was duly sold to 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...
Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in the summer of 1936. In all he played 81 games for Arsenal, scoring four goals.
Blackpool
Hill captained Blackpool in the 1936–371936-37 in English football
The 1936–37 season was the 62nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
season, helping them win runners-up spot and thus promotion to the First Division. However he didn't stay in the top flight for long; in September 1937 he moved back to Second Division football, joining Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
Southampton
In May 1937, Hill was recruited by Tom ParkerTom Parker (footballer)
Thomas Robert "Tom" Parker was an English football player and manager.-Southampton:Born in Woolston, Southampton, Parker began playing with local sides, such as Sholing Rangers and Sholing Athletic, before joining Southern League side Southampton as an amateur in 1918, just before the end of the...
to join Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
as part of his drive to strengthen the team in an attempt to gain promotion from 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...
, along with David Affleck
David Affleck
David Roy Affleck was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre-half for Clapton Orient and Southampton in the 1930s.-Playing career:...
(from Clapton Orient), Billy Bevis
Billy Bevis
William Ernest "Billy" Bevis D.S.M. was an English footballer who played for Southampton as an outside right in the years either side of World War II.-Portsmouth:...
(from Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
) and Ray Parkin (from Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
). Southampton paid £2000 for his services and acquired "a half-back with a strong personality and ball-winning abilities". Frank's resolve and leadership helped steer Saints away from relegation during 1937–38
1937-38 in English football
The 1937–38 season was the 63rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season is notable as the reigning champions Manchester City became the only team to have won the League title one season then been relegated the next.-Honours:...
, only for him to suffer a series of injuries the following season which sidelined him for long periods.
He eventually fell out with the Board of Directors when it was revealed that he had secretly applied for various managerial positions and he left the club in 1939 to take up a position as assistant trainer at 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...
, although Southampton refused to release his player registration until 1943. He made 53 appearances for Southampton, scoring three goals.
During the Second World War, when football was suspended, Hill served in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in India.
Managerial career
Hill returned to Britain in 1944 and became player-manager of Crewe AlexandraCrewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, playing until he was 42. He then became manager of Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
(1948–1954), then 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...
(1954–1956).
He then moved abroad in January 1957, coaching the Iraqi military team
Iraq Military Football Team
Iraq Military Football Team is a CISM team representing Iraq. It has been a member of the Council since 1952.The team won the Military World Cup three times, in 1972 then in 1977 and 1979....
, before returning to take over at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in 1958. He helped County to promotion to the 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...
in 1959–60
1959-60 in English football
The 1959–60 season was the 80th season of competitive football in England.-Diary of the season:17 November 1959: Phil Taylor resigns as manager of Liverpool after three years as manager, with all three of his seasons in charge ending with a narrow failure to win promotion to the First...
, and moved to Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, who were bottom of the Second Division, in 1961. He saved Charlton from relegation that season and took them to fourth in 1963–64
1963-64 in English football
The 1963–1964 season was the 84th season of competitive football in England, from August 1963 to May 1964:-Overview:* Liverpool won the League Championship.* West Ham United won the FA Cup.* Leicester City won the League Cup.-Diary of the season:...
. However, he could not make the good form last and was sacked in the summer of 1965.
Hill finished his career as a scout for Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, before retiring. He moved with his wife Doris and Son David to Lafayette, California
Lafayette, California
Lafayette is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 23,893. It was named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War...
, USA in 1967 where they owned "Picadilly Circus Fish'n Chips" and he refereed locally at the college level well into his 70s.
He died in California in June 1993, aged 87.
As a player
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...
- Football League championship: 1932–331932-33 in English footballThe 1932–33 season was the 58th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, 1933–341933-34 in English footballThe 1933–34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
and 1934–351934-35 in English footballThe 1934–35 season was the 60th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Arsenal become only the second team to win the League three consecutive times.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour... - Charity Shield: 1934
Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
- Football League Division 2, runners-up: 1936-371936-37 in English footballThe 1936–37 season was the 62nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
As a manager
Notts CountyNotts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
- Football League Division 4, runners-up: 1959-601959-60 in English footballThe 1959–60 season was the 80th season of competitive football in England.-Diary of the season:17 November 1959: Phil Taylor resigns as manager of Liverpool after three years as manager, with all three of his seasons in charge ending with a narrow failure to win promotion to the First...