January 31 – England’s First Gaffer

BACK in the day the English national team was a bit a Titus Brambles. So convinced were they that they were the best in the world at the nation’s game, they didn’t even both entering the first three World Cups. In fact, they didn’t even bother with a manager until Walter Winterbottom, who was born today in 1913, took over ‘football’s hardest job’ (thank you, The Sun), in 1947.

Walter was obviously ahead of his time, as, like today managerial heavyweights Wenger, Mourinhio et al, he led an uneventful playing career, turning put 26 times for Manchester United in the pre-WWII period.

Despite being given the lofty title of ‘England Manager’, Walter had no say over the selection of his team and had to deal with the internal politics of the FA, just as his successor Sir Alf would find out during his World Cup winning reign.

Walter’s first game in charge of the Three Lions was a 7-2 victory over Ireland, and he would go on to manage in four World Cups. If anyone beats that in our lifetime we’ll eat out ‘Fabio 2010’ baseball caps.

Unfortunately, Winterbottom was in charge for two of England’s worst ever results – even worse than Schteve McClaren’s dual efforts against Croatia.

The 1950 World Cup loss against the USA was known as the ‘Miracle on Grass’ by the part-timers that made up the American team of part-timers and, worse than that, was the footballing lesson that Hungary taught England in 1953.

Still, in addition to training the team, Walter was also in charge of travel, accommodation and meals. Check out Walter’s most infamous moment below and see what else happened today here and if you need some Super Sunday action that doesn’t involve SkySports over-hyping make sure you mosey your way back here.