In 1919-20, Wednesday were relegated and this prompted the board to appoint Bob Brown as their first professional secretary-manager. He was to last 13 years in the job and restored the club s fortunes with one Second Division title and two League Championships. Although Eric Taylor was to spend longer in the job, the intervening war years mean that Bob Brown s 13 seasons were the longest in playing terms. Since then the average number of seasons for each of the previous 17 managers has been just under four years. The four months that Peter Eustace spent as manager being the shortest.
Four managers have both played for, and managed the club - Derek Dooley, Howard Wilkinson, Peter Eustace and Trevor Francis. Jimmy McMullan, a Scot, is the only non-english manager, he also played for his country and captained the Wembley Wizards who beat England 5-1 in 1928. Billy Walker, Jack Charlton and Trevor Francis are the other managers who won international caps as players.
Manager Start End Bob Brown June 1920 December 1933 Billy Walker December 1933 November 1937 Jimmy McMullan December 1937 April 1942 Eric Taylor April 1942 July 1958 Harry Catterick August 1958 April 1961 Vic Buckingham May 1961 March 1964 Alan Brown July 1964 February 1968 Jack Marshall February 1968 April 1969 Danny Williams July 1969 January 1971 Derek Dooley January 1971 December 1973 Steve Burtenshaw January 1974 October 1975 Len Ashurst October 1975 October 1977 Jack Charlton October 1977 May 1983 Howard Wilkinson June 1983 October 1988 Peter Eustace October 1988 February 1989 Ron Atkinson February 1989 May 1991 Trevor Francis June 1991 May 1995 David Pleat June 1995
If you have any comments, or are aware of any errors / omissions then please email me :- Stuart Jackson