John Lyall
Encyclopedia
John Angus Lyall was an English
footballer
and manager
of Scottish descent. His mother, Catherine, was from the Isle of Lewis, his father, James, was from Kirriemuir
. He was born in Ilford
, Essex
.
, and chief scout Wally St Pier
, Lyall was offered a place at West Ham aged fifteen. In October 1955 he joined West Ham United
as a groundstaff boy, with duties such as boot
cleaning, painting the football stands and wages clerk. He played youth team football as a left back. In February 1957 he won his only significant international honour when he played for England Youth
in a 7–1 victory over Luxembourg at Upton Park
. In 1957 he was also a member of the West Ham side which lost 8–2, on aggregate, to Manchester United
in the FA Youth Cup Final.
.
In January 1964 after making 36 appearances in all competitions, aged 23, he was diagnosed with an inoperable, generally disarranged knee and retired from playing professional football.
Lyall was granted a testimonial
game by West Ham which was played in April 1964 and netted him £3797. He was offered the role of part-time youth team manager.
to succeed Ron Greenwood as team manager in September 1974, managing West Ham for 15 years (1974–1989). In 1975, at the end of his first season as manager, West Ham won the FA Cup final
and reached the final of the European Cup Winners Cup the following year, losing 4–2 to Anderlecht
. However, West Ham slipped down to the Second Division
in 1978. Lyall attempted to rebuild the side and made significant purchases in Phil Parkes, £565,000 from Queens Park Rangers
, a world record for a goalkeeper and Ray Stewart
from Dundee United
for £430,000, a British record for a teenager. West Ham returned to the First Division
in 1981 winning the title by a thirteen point margin.
During their exile from the top flight, on 10 May 1980, West Ham beat Arsenal
in the FA Cup final
, the last lower league side to do so. In their 1981 promotion season, Lyall also led the Hammers to the final of the League Cup – where they drew 1–1 against Liverpool
, before losing the replay 2–1, having led early in the match. They also reached the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners Cup in the same year.
West Ham spent the first four years back in the top flight consolidating their position. Long serving Trevor Brooking
and Frank Lampard both retired and Billy Bonds
was struggling with the effects of first team football. Lyall again attempted to rebuild the team bringing Frank McAvennie
from St Mirren and Mark Ward from Oldham Athletic. 28 goals from McAvennie, 25 from Tony Cottee
and an eighteen game unbeaten run saw Lyall take West Ham to their highest ever league finish in the 1985–1986 First Division campaign when they finished third behind champions Liverpool
and runners-up Everton
. Unfortunately they were unable to compete in the UEFA Cup
because of the ban on English teams from European competition arising from the previous year's Heysel Disaster
.
Lyall failed to build on the side which finished third in the First Division. McAvennie was sold to Celtic in 1987 and Cottee to Everton in July 1988 for a British transfer record of £2.05 million. Their replacements combined with the additions of Tommy McQueen
, Gary Strodder
, David Kelly
, Allen McKnight
, Liam Brady
, Julian Dicks
and the return of McAvennie in March 1989 failed to save West Ham from relegation in May 1989.
Lyall was sacked in June 1989. He was awarded an ex gratia payment of £100,000 but left the club in what Lyall described as 'upsetting' circumstances, meriting only 73 words in a terse acknowledgement of his service in the club programme, Lyall left West Ham after 34 years service.
. During the 1989–90 season, he acted as technical advisor to Terry Venables
.
At the end of 1991–1992, Lyall guided Ipswich Town to the Second Division championship and promotion to the newly-formed Premier League. In January 1993, Ipswich were fourth in the Premiership and fans were hoping for at least a UEFA Cup place, maybe even the Premiership title. But a dip in form during the final weeks of the season saw Ipswich finish 16th and 1993–94 brought a similar pattern, a good start following by a slump – Ipswich finished 19th in the final table and were only saved from relegation by Sheffield United
's last gasp 3–2 defeat at Chelsea
. Lyall then 'moved upstairs' and took on the role of Director of Football with Mick McGiven
taking control of 1st team management at Portman Road
.
Lyall resigned as Ipswich Town manager in December 1994, with the club bottom of the Premiership, and never returned to football management.
, at his home in Tattingstone
, Suffolk
, at the age of 66. His wife and family still live in Suffolk.
When West Ham played Middlesbrough
in the FA Cup Semi Final on 23 April 2006 at Villa Park, a one minute silence was held in Lyall's honour, although after only a few seconds the West Ham fans started a chant of "Johnny Lyall's Claret and Blue Army" in tribute to their most successful ever manager. West Ham won the match 1–0 to reach their first FA Cup Final
since 1980 when Lyall was their manager.
On 5 December 2007 it was announced that the Heritage Foundation
charity would be erecting a blue plaque
in Lyall's memory at West Ham's Upton Park ground
on 20 January 2008.
In December 2009, West Ham renamed the main gates to Upton Park
, The John Lyall Gates.
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
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...
and manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of Scottish descent. His mother, Catherine, was from the Isle of Lewis, his father, James, was from Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir, sometimes called Kirrie, is a burgh in Angus, Scotland.-History:The history of Kirriemuir extends to the early historical period and it appears to have been a centre of some ecclesiastical importance...
. He was born in Ilford
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
.
Youth team career
Watched by West Ham manager, Ted FentonTed Fenton
Edward "Ted" Fenton was manager of English football club West Ham United between 1950 and 1961.- West Ham United :...
, and chief scout Wally St Pier
Wally St Pier
Stanley Walter St Pier was an English footballer and scout.-Career :St Pier arrived at West Ham United from Ilford in April 1929 making his senior debut in October 1929 against Leicester City. Spending most of his time as understudy to Jim Barrett, St Pier managed only 24 appearances for The...
, Lyall was offered a place at West Ham aged fifteen. In October 1955 he joined West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
as a groundstaff boy, with duties such as boot
Football boot
Football boots, called cleats or soccer shoes in North America, are an item of footwear worn when playing association football. Those designed for grass pitches have studs on the bottom to aid grip...
cleaning, painting the football stands and wages clerk. He played youth team football as a left back. In February 1957 he won his only significant international honour when he played for England Youth
England national youth football team
England national youth football team can refer to the following age group teams:* England national under-23 football team* England national under-22 football team* England national under-21 football team* England national under-20 football team...
in a 7–1 victory over Luxembourg at Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
. In 1957 he was also a member of the West Ham side which lost 8–2, on aggregate, to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the FA Youth Cup Final.
First team career
He made his senior debut in April 1959. His first team career was interrupted and prematurely ended by a serious injury to his left kneeKnee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
.
In January 1964 after making 36 appearances in all competitions, aged 23, he was diagnosed with an inoperable, generally disarranged knee and retired from playing professional football.
Lyall was granted a testimonial
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
game by West Ham which was played in April 1964 and netted him £3797. He was offered the role of part-time youth team manager.
West Ham United
Impressing at part-time youth manager Lyall was offered the role on a full-time basis in 1967. He rose through the coaching ranks at Upton ParkBoleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
to succeed Ron Greenwood as team manager in September 1974, managing West Ham for 15 years (1974–1989). In 1975, at the end of his first season as manager, West Ham won the FA Cup final
1975 FA Cup Final
The 1975 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Fulham at Wembley. The Fulham team contained two former England captains in former West Ham captain Bobby Moore, making his last appearance at Wembley, and Alan Mullery. West Ham won 2–0, with the two goals scored by Alan Taylor...
and reached the final of the European Cup Winners Cup the following year, losing 4–2 to Anderlecht
Anderlecht
Anderlecht is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region.There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts within the Anderlecht municipality.-Pronunciation:* Dutch: * French:...
. However, West Ham slipped down to 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 1978. Lyall attempted to rebuild the side and made significant purchases in Phil Parkes, £565,000 from Queens Park Rangers
Queens 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...
, a world record for a goalkeeper and Ray Stewart
Ray Stewart (footballer)
Raymond "Ray" Strean McDonald Stewart is a former Scottish international footballer of the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. During his career he played for Dundee United, West Ham United, St...
from Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
for £430,000, a British record for a teenager. West Ham returned to 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....
in 1981 winning the title by a thirteen point margin.
During their exile from the top flight, on 10 May 1980, West Ham beat 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...
in the FA Cup final
1980 FA Cup Final
The 1980 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Arsenal at Wembley. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking.To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup...
, the last lower league side to do so. In their 1981 promotion season, Lyall also led the Hammers to the final of the League Cup – where they drew 1–1 against Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, before losing the replay 2–1, having led early in the match. They also reached the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners Cup in the same year.
West Ham spent the first four years back in the top flight consolidating their position. Long serving Trevor Brooking
Trevor Brooking
Sir Trevor David Brooking CBE is a football player turned manager, on-air analyst, and administrator.Brooking attended Ripple Infants School and left Ilford County High School with 11 O-levels and 2 A-levels....
and Frank Lampard both retired and Billy Bonds
Billy Bonds
William Arthur "Billy" Bonds MBE is a former professional footballer and manager, who is most often associated with West Ham United with whom he spent 27 years as player and manager...
was struggling with the effects of first team football. Lyall again attempted to rebuild the team bringing Frank McAvennie
Frank McAvennie
Francis "Frank" McAvennie is a former Scottish football striker best known as a player with West Ham United and Celtic, having had two spells with both of these clubs.-Early life:...
from St Mirren and Mark Ward from Oldham Athletic. 28 goals from McAvennie, 25 from Tony Cottee
Tony Cottee
Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...
and an eighteen game unbeaten run saw Lyall take West Ham to their highest ever league finish in the 1985–1986 First Division campaign when they finished third behind champions 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...
and runners-up 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...
. Unfortunately they were unable to compete in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
because of the ban on English teams from European competition arising from the previous year's Heysel Disaster
Heysel Stadium disaster
The Heysel Stadium disaster occurred on 29 May 1985 when escaping fans were pressed against a wall in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, as a result of rioting before the start of the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool of England and Juventus of Italy...
.
Lyall failed to build on the side which finished third in the First Division. McAvennie was sold to Celtic in 1987 and Cottee to Everton in July 1988 for a British transfer record of £2.05 million. Their replacements combined with the additions of Tommy McQueen
Tommy McQueen
Tommy McQueen , is a former Scottish football defender. His primary position was full back.McQueen began his career with Clyde, making over 100 appearances in all competitions, before moving to Aberdeen in 1984, where he made 53 appearances, scored four goals and was part of the 1986 Scottish Cup...
, Gary Strodder
Gary Strodder
Gary Strodder was a centre half who played for West Ham United for four seasons, making 71 starts in total with a further eight appearances as substitute. His two goals were both scored against South Coast opposition, Portsmouth and Bournemouth. He joined in March 1987 from Lincoln City...
, David Kelly
David Kelly (footballer)
David Thomas Kelly is a retired footballer and former assistant manager of Nottingham Forest. As a child, Kelly suffered from Perthes Disease, but recovered to forge a long and successful career in professional football.-Playing career:Kelly turned out for Walsall, West Ham United, Leicester City,...
, Allen McKnight
Allen McKnight
Allen Darrell McKnight is a Northern Irish former international footballer who played professionally in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Hong Kong as a goalkeeper.-Club career:...
, Liam Brady
Liam Brady
Liam Brady is a former Irish association football player, and former assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team....
, Julian Dicks
Julian Dicks
Julian Andrew Dicks , is a retired football player and manager, last attached to Isthmian League Division One North club Grays Athletic.-Playing career:...
and the return of McAvennie in March 1989 failed to save West Ham from relegation in May 1989.
Lyall was sacked in June 1989. He was awarded an ex gratia payment of £100,000 but left the club in what Lyall described as 'upsetting' circumstances, meriting only 73 words in a terse acknowledgement of his service in the club programme, Lyall left West Ham after 34 years service.
Ipswich Town
He made his return to football management on 11 May 1990 with Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. During the 1989–90 season, he acted as technical advisor to Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
.
At the end of 1991–1992, Lyall guided Ipswich Town to the Second Division championship and promotion to the newly-formed Premier League. In January 1993, Ipswich were fourth in the Premiership and fans were hoping for at least a UEFA Cup place, maybe even the Premiership title. But a dip in form during the final weeks of the season saw Ipswich finish 16th and 1993–94 brought a similar pattern, a good start following by a slump – Ipswich finished 19th in the final table and were only saved from relegation by Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
's last gasp 3–2 defeat at Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. Lyall then 'moved upstairs' and took on the role of Director of Football with Mick McGiven
Mick McGiven
Mick McGiven is a former professional footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Sunderland and West Ham United. After retiring as a player he joined the coaching staff at West Ham United, then worked with Chelsea's youth team and coached Ipswich Town alongside John Lyall...
taking control of 1st team management at Portman Road
Portman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
.
Lyall resigned as Ipswich Town manager in December 1994, with the club bottom of the Premiership, and never returned to football management.
Death
Lyall died suddenly on 18 April 2006, after suffering from a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, at his home in Tattingstone
Tattingstone
Tattingstone is a village in Babergh district in Suffolk, about south of Ipswich with a population over 500. It is the location of Tattingstone Place and also of the folly known as the Tattingstone Wonder...
, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, at the age of 66. His wife and family still live in Suffolk.
Legacy
When West Ham played 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...
in the FA Cup Semi Final on 23 April 2006 at Villa Park, a one minute silence was held in Lyall's honour, although after only a few seconds the West Ham fans started a chant of "Johnny Lyall's Claret and Blue Army" in tribute to their most successful ever manager. West Ham won the match 1–0 to reach their first FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
since 1980 when Lyall was their manager.
On 5 December 2007 it was announced that the Heritage Foundation
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
charity would be erecting a blue plaque
Blue plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
in Lyall's memory at West Ham's Upton Park ground
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
on 20 January 2008.
In December 2009, West Ham renamed the main gates to Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
, The John Lyall Gates.
Honours
- European Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
- Runners-up: 1976
- First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe 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....
- 1986 Third Place (West Ham's highest finish in the top-flight)
- 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...
- Champions: 1980–81
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
- Winners: 19751975 FA Cup FinalThe 1975 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Fulham at Wembley. The Fulham team contained two former England captains in former West Ham captain Bobby Moore, making his last appearance at Wembley, and Alan Mullery. West Ham won 2–0, with the two goals scored by Alan Taylor...
, 19801980 FA Cup FinalThe 1980 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Arsenal at Wembley. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking.To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup...
- Winners: 1975
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- Runners-up: 19811981 Football League Cup FinalThe 1981 Football League Cup Final was played on Saturday 14 March 1981 at Wembley Stadium between Liverpool and West Ham United, with both clubs appearing in their second League Cup finals....
- Semi-finalists: 1989
- Runners-up: 1981
- FA Charity ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
- Runners-up: 19751975 FA Charity ShieldThe 1975 FA Charity Shield was the 53rd FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's First Division and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 9 August 1975 at Wembley Stadium and contested by Derby County, who had won the 1974–75 First...
, 19801980 FA Charity ShieldThe 1980 FA Charity Shield was the 58th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Football League and FA Cup competitions. The match took place on 9 August 1980 at Wembley Stadium and was played between 1979-80 Football League champions...
- Runners-up: 1975