Tony Waddington
Encyclopedia
Anthony Waddington was an English
football player and manager. He managed Stoke City F.C.
from 1960 until 1977 and guided them to their only major trophy - the League Cup
in 1972. He later managed his only playing club, Crewe Alexandra
, from June 1979 to July 1981. His son, Steve
, was also a footballer.
-born Waddington was an amateur with Manchester United
before playing over 200 games for Crewe Alexandra
. His career was ended after he suffered a knee injury while serving with the Royal Navy
in World War II
.
Within three years he had the club back in Division One, collecting the Second Division title in the club's centenary season of 1962/63, after enticing Stanley Matthews
back from Blackpool
. On 7 October 1961, the two had met in the Russell Hotel in London, where both Blackpool and Stoke City had played that day. Three weeks later, a transfer deal was completed. Waddington then established Stoke in Division One, reached two FA Cup
semi-finals, and won the League Cup in 1972.
He had a knack for squeezing 'Indian Summers' from players thought past their peak, whilst at the same time getting the best out of home-grown youngsters. Waddington also brought World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks
to Stoke in 1967, and later paid a world record fee for goalkeeper Peter Shilton
in 1974.
In 1976, a severe gale blew the roof off the Butler Street Stand at the Victoria Ground, and the bank refused to fund the rebuild, forcing the sale of key players, such as Jimmy Greenhoff
to Manchester United
and Alan Hudson
to Arsenal
. Waddington resigned in March 1977, disillusioned with seeing the team he had built up over several years sold off.
He then had a spell in charge of Crewe
from 1979-81. However, he returned to Stoke when he was appointed an associate director of the club in 1991 - a position he retained until his death in January 1994 at the age of 69.
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...
football player and manager. He managed Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
from 1960 until 1977 and guided them to their only major trophy - the League Cup
Football League Cup
The 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...
in 1972. He later managed his only playing club, Crewe Alexandra
Crewe 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...
, from June 1979 to July 1981. His son, Steve
Steve Waddington
Steven Waddington is an English former footballer. His father is the former Stoke City manager Tony Waddington.-Playing career:...
, was also a footballer.
Playing career
ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
-born Waddington was an amateur with 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...
before playing over 200 games for Crewe Alexandra
Crewe 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...
. His career was ended after he suffered a knee injury while serving with the Royal 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 World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Management career
Waddington became Stoke City's manager in 1960. His initial task was to stop the declining fortunes of the club, and to prevent relegation from Division Two.Within three years he had the club back in Division One, collecting the Second Division title in the club's centenary season of 1962/63, after enticing Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
back from 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...
. On 7 October 1961, the two had met in the Russell Hotel in London, where both Blackpool and Stoke City had played that day. Three weeks later, a transfer deal was completed. Waddington then established Stoke in Division One, reached two 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...
semi-finals, and won the League Cup in 1972.
He had a knack for squeezing 'Indian Summers' from players thought past their peak, whilst at the same time getting the best out of home-grown youngsters. Waddington also brought World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
to Stoke in 1967, and later paid a world record fee for goalkeeper Peter Shilton
Peter Shilton
Peter Leslie Shilton OBE is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently holds the record for playing more games for England than anyone else, earning 125 caps....
in 1974.
In 1976, a severe gale blew the roof off the Butler Street Stand at the Victoria Ground, and the bank refused to fund the rebuild, forcing the sale of key players, such as Jimmy Greenhoff
Jimmy Greenhoff
James "Jimmy" Greenhoff is an English former football player. He was a skilful forward and although capped five times at under-23 level, once as an over-age player, he never played for the full side, and is labelled as the finest English player never to play for England...
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...
and Alan Hudson
Alan Hudson
Alan Anthony Hudson is a former English footballer.-Biography:Born and brought up near the King's Road, Hudson was rejected by boyhood club Fulham as a schoolboy before signing for Chelsea Juniors...
to 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...
. Waddington resigned in March 1977, disillusioned with seeing the team he had built up over several years sold off.
He then had a spell in charge of Crewe
Crewe
Crewe is a railway town within the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census the urban area had a population of 67,683...
from 1979-81. However, he returned to Stoke when he was appointed an associate director of the club in 1991 - a position he retained until his death in January 1994 at the age of 69.
Career statistics
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
June 1960 | March 1977 | 764 | 265 | 216 | 283 | |
| Crewe Alexandra Crewe 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... |
June 1979 | March 1981 | 93 | 24 | 27 | 42 | |
| Total | 857 | 289 | 243 | 325 | |||