Cecil Bertram Potter (14 November 1888 – 17 October 1975) was an English professionalfootball player and manager.
Born inWest Hoathly,West Sussex, he played for Melton,Ipswich Town andNorwich City. Potter served inWorld War I, and played forTottenham Hostpur during this period. After a spell withHull City. He began his managerial career as a player-manager forHartlepools United in 1920 and led the club into its inauguralFootball League season. He subsequently managedDerby County. He succeededHerbert Chapman atHuddersfield Town and secured the club's third successiveFirst Division title. He left the club in 1926, joining former club Norwich City of theThird Division South, remaining in this role until 1929.
Cecil Bertram Potter was born on 14 November 1888 inWest Hoathly.[1]
He began his footballing career with local team Melton.[1] Potter then signed for then-amateur clubIpswich Town.[1] Ahead of the 1911–12 season, he signed for professionalSouthern Football League clubNorwich City after a successful trial.[2] He played 133 times scoring 33 goals during his spell with Norwich.[3]World War I interrupted Potter's footballing career.[3] During the war, Potter served as a sergeant in theRoyal Flying Corps.[3] He played for the 17th Footballers' Battalion Middlesex Regiment as well asTottenham Hotspur during this period.[3]
When the war ended, Potter earned a move toSecond Division clubHull City ahead of the 1919–20 season.[3] He made ten appearances for Hull City in total.[3]
On 1 May 1920, he was appointed as player-manager ofNorth Eastern League sideHartlepools United at the age of 31.[3] Potter played for the club at half-back. In January 1921, Potter suffered a serious ankle injury, effectively ending his playing career.[3] In March 1921, the club's directors decided to effectively demote Potter to secretary-manager in a surprise move.[3] He led the club into their first season in theFootball League and oversaw Hartlepools' first Football League match, a win againstWrexham.[3] The club experienced positive form during the winter period, eventually finishing their inaugural campaign in 4th position.[3] He played one match for the club that season, in theFA Cup.[3] He left Hartlepools on 1 July 1922, taking a position at Second Division clubDerby County.[3]
Potter failed to earn promotion to theFirst Division and subsequently left the club.[4] After working as a dairy farmer in Sussex, Potter succeededHerbert Chapman atHuddersfield Town ahead of the 1925–26 season.[4] Huddersfield had won the two previous First Division titles prior to Chapman's departure toArsenal.[4] Potter won a third successive First Division title for the club in his first season, finishing five points clear of Arsenal.[4] However, Potter resigned the role in August 1926, citing 'failing health and that of his family'.[4]
He moved back into management in November 1926, joining former club Norwich City of theThird Division South.[4] He left the club in January 1929 after a 5–0 FA Cup third round home defeat to amateur sideCorinthians.[4]
He died on 17 October 1975 inSutton at the age of 87.[4]
Huddersfield Town