John Beck (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Alexander Beck is an English former footballer and manager
. As a player he made nearly 500 league appearances between 1972 and 1988.
He is also known for his role as manager of Cambridge United
from 1990 to 1992, where he had previously been assistant to Chris Turner
. In 2010, he was appointed manager of Conference National
club Histon
,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/histon/8696366.stm but resigned two games into the 2010-11 season.
signing in May 1972 and made his debut in the 3-1 win against Leyton Orient
in December 1972. Beck was unable to hold down a regular place in the immensely successful QPR side of the mid 70's competing with England captain Gerry Francis
and Scottish international Don Masson
for the creative midfield role. In 1976 he moved to Coventry City
after playing 40 league games for Rangers, scoring once. The 1978-79 saw John playing in Coventry's most exciting top flight team. A side containing Tommy Hutchison
, Mick Ferguson
, Ian Wallace
, Terry Yorath
, Graham Oakey
, Bobby MacDonald and Jim Blyth
played scintillating attacking football that swept many teams aside, often by large margins of victory. He also played for Fulham
, Bournemouth
and finally joined Cambridge United in July 1986.
Beck's career was ended by injury in 1988, and he was appointed Assistant Manager. Following the dismissal of Chris Turner he was appointed manager of Cambridge United in January 1990. In his first season United won the Fourth Division playoffs, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
(an exceptional achievement for a Fourth Division side). The following season (1990–91) they won the Third Division title after an excellent finish to the season saw them climb from 10th to top in less than three months, and they repeated the feat of reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals. During the Summer Beck turned down the opportunity to manage Leicester City, saying he wanted to take the club all the way to the First Division. In 1991-92 they finished 5th in the Second Division, the highest position ever achieved by the club, but lost to Leicester City
in the play off semi-finals, ending their hopes of a third successive promotion and denying them the chance of becoming Premier League founder members.
Beck's long ball playing style, despite its success, was heavily criticised in the media, and by fans and managers of other clubs, particularly Glenn Hoddle
then of Swindon Town
. Their style of play was similar to that of Wimbledon
, who had climbed from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons leading up to 1986, staying there for 14 years and winning an FA Cup
just two seasons after promotion.
However, he remained popular with United fans. He also oversaw many unorthodox developments at the club, including the tactical repositioning of the away team dugout, ensuring the grass around the corner area was longer so as to slow the ball down when played in that part of the pitch, and the practice of throwing buckets of cold water over players before a match.
The club made a poor start to the 1992-93 season, and Beck was dismissed in October 1992, marking the start of a sharp decline for the club; Cambridge ended the season relegated from the new Division One and just two years after that they fell into Division Three.
He made a quick comeback with Preston North End
, but was unable to prevent them from being relegated to Division Two. He spent two more seasons at Deepdale
, enduring successive Division Three playoff disappointments, before resigning.
Beck's next stop was at Lincoln City
. They won automatic promotion to Division Two in 1998, but Beck had been controversially sacked just weeks earlier.
In 1999, Beck teamed up with Shane Westley
, his assistant at Lincoln City
and joined Barrow in a short lived advisory role.
Beck returned to Cambridge in March 2001, and kept them in Division Two, but he resigned the following November with relegation looking increasingly likely.
After a short period out of football, Beck became assistant manager to Steve Fallon
at Histon
, in what proved to be the most successful period in the club's history as the club rose from the lower leagues up to the Conference National
. The club even came close to being promoted to the Football League in the 2008-09 season, but missed out due to a loss to eventual champions Burton Albion
late in the season (if Histon had won the match, they would have been champions rather than Burton). In September 2009 however, Beck was sacked from the club after a fall-out with Fallon. Beck once again remained out of football until May 21, 2010, when he returned to Histon as manager, after Fallon himself had been sacked in January of that year, and interim manager Alan Lewer declined to apply for the job on a permanent basis. However, Beck resigned from the club on 19 August, following a league defeat away to AFC Wimbledon
.
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
. As a player he made nearly 500 league appearances between 1972 and 1988.
He is also known for his role as manager of Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
from 1990 to 1992, where he had previously been assistant to Chris Turner
Chris Turner (footballer born 1951)
Christopher James "Chris" Turner is an English former professional footballer and manager, best known for a nine year association as a player with Peterborough United.-Playing career:...
. In 2010, he was appointed manager of Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
club Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/histon/8696366.stm but resigned two games into the 2010-11 season.
Career
Beck started his playing career at Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
signing in May 1972 and made his debut in the 3-1 win against Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in December 1972. Beck was unable to hold down a regular place in the immensely successful QPR side of the mid 70's competing with England captain Gerry Francis
Gerry Francis
Gerald Charles James Francis is an English former footballer and manager, now working as First Team coach at Stoke City.-Playing career:Francis made his debut for Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool in March 1969...
and Scottish international Don Masson
Don Masson
Donald "Don" Sandison Masson is a Scottish former footballer.-Club career:Masson began his career with Middlesbrough in 1964 before going on to Notts County in 1968...
for the creative midfield role. In 1976 he moved to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
after playing 40 league games for Rangers, scoring once. The 1978-79 saw John playing in Coventry's most exciting top flight team. A side containing Tommy Hutchison
Tommy Hutchison
Thomas "Tommy" Hutchison is a Scottish former footballer.-Club career:Beginning his professional career with Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Second Division, being spotted by Archie McPherson...
, Mick Ferguson
Mick Ferguson
Michael John "Mick" Ferguson is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent the best years of his playing career at Coventry City...
, Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace is the name of:*D. Ian M. Wallace, ornithologist*Ian Wallace , science fiction author*Ian Wallace , pioneer of Vancouver's conceptual art movement...
, Terry Yorath
Terry Yorath
Terence Charles Yorath is a former footballer and has been a manager at both club and international level. He is also the father of television presenter Gabby Logan....
, Graham Oakey
Graham Oakey
Graham Oakey is an English former football player. Oakey made 88 league appearances for Coventry City.Born in Droitwich, Worcestershire in 1954, Graham was a product of Coventry's youth development system. He made his league debut in a home 2-2 draw against Manchester City in September 1974...
, Bobby MacDonald and Jim Blyth
Jim Blyth
For the player of the same name see Jim Blyth James Anton 'Jim' Blyth is a former Scottish football goalkeeper, and current goalkeeping coach at Middlesbrough....
played scintillating attacking football that swept many teams aside, often by large margins of victory. He also played for Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and finally joined Cambridge United in July 1986.
Beck's career was ended by injury in 1988, and he was appointed Assistant Manager. Following the dismissal of Chris Turner he was appointed manager of Cambridge United in January 1990. In his first season United won the Fourth Division playoffs, and reached the quarter-finals of 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...
(an exceptional achievement for a Fourth Division side). The following season (1990–91) they won the Third Division title after an excellent finish to the season saw them climb from 10th to top in less than three months, and they repeated the feat of reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals. During the Summer Beck turned down the opportunity to manage Leicester City, saying he wanted to take the club all the way to the First Division. In 1991-92 they finished 5th in the Second Division, the highest position ever achieved by the club, but lost to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in the play off semi-finals, ending their hopes of a third successive promotion and denying them the chance of becoming Premier League founder members.
Beck's long ball playing style, despite its success, was heavily criticised in the media, and by fans and managers of other clubs, particularly Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
then of 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...
. Their style of play was similar to that of Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
, who had climbed from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons leading up to 1986, staying there for 14 years and winning an 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...
just two seasons after promotion.
However, he remained popular with United fans. He also oversaw many unorthodox developments at the club, including the tactical repositioning of the away team dugout, ensuring the grass around the corner area was longer so as to slow the ball down when played in that part of the pitch, and the practice of throwing buckets of cold water over players before a match.
The club made a poor start to the 1992-93 season, and Beck was dismissed in October 1992, marking the start of a sharp decline for the club; Cambridge ended the season relegated from the new Division One and just two years after that they fell into Division Three.
He made a quick comeback with 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...
, but was unable to prevent them from being relegated to Division Two. He spent two more seasons at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
, enduring successive Division Three playoff disappointments, before resigning.
Beck's next stop was at Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
. They won automatic promotion to Division Two in 1998, but Beck had been controversially sacked just weeks earlier.
In 1999, Beck teamed up with Shane Westley
Shane Westley
Shane Lee Mark Westley is an English former professional footballer and coach.A defender, Westley began his career at Charlton Athletic in 1983 but he made his big breakthrough with Southend United, for whom he made 142 appearances, twice winning promotion out of the Division Four...
, his assistant at Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
and joined Barrow in a short lived advisory role.
Beck returned to Cambridge in March 2001, and kept them in Division Two, but he resigned the following November with relegation looking increasingly likely.
After a short period out of football, Beck became assistant manager to Steve Fallon
Steve Fallon
Stephen Paul Fallon is an English former footballer who made 410 appearances in the Football League playing as a defender for Cambridge United. From 1999 to 2010 he was manager of Histon.-Career:...
at Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
, in what proved to be the most successful period in the club's history as the club rose from the lower leagues up to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. The club even came close to being promoted to the Football League in the 2008-09 season, but missed out due to a loss to eventual champions Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
late in the season (if Histon had won the match, they would have been champions rather than Burton). In September 2009 however, Beck was sacked from the club after a fall-out with Fallon. Beck once again remained out of football until May 21, 2010, when he returned to Histon as manager, after Fallon himself had been sacked in January of that year, and interim manager Alan Lewer declined to apply for the job on a permanent basis. However, Beck resigned from the club on 19 August, following a league defeat away to AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
.
Promotions
- 1989–901989-90 in English football-European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :...
: 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...
play-off winner (promotion to Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe 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...
) - Cambridge UnitedCambridge United F.C.Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... - 1990–911990-91 in English footballThe 1990–91 season was the 111th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Arsenal won the league. Runners-up spot was achieved by Liverpool, who had led the table for much of the first half of the season but had been shell-shocked in February by the sudden resignation of manager...
: Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe 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...
champion (promotion to Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 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...
) - Cambridge UnitedCambridge United F.C.Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...