 Lewis while withBrentford in 1902. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 1860 | ||
| Place of birth | Brentford, England | ||
| Date of death | 6 May 1916 (aged 55) | ||
| Place of death | Brentford, England | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 1900–1903 | Brentford | ||
| 1903–1904 | Brentford (caretaker) | ||
| 1906–1907 | Chelsea (caretaker) | ||
William Lewis (September 1860 – 6 May 1916) was an Englishfootballreferee,director,secretary andmanager, active in the early 20th century. He managedBrentford andChelsea, the latter in theFootball League.
Lewis was named secretary-manager ofSouthern League Second Division clubBrentford in 1900 and led them to the title and promotion to the Southern League First Division in the1900–01 season.[1] The Bees finished second-from-bottom in theirfirst season in the First Division, but held onto their status in the league after a relegation playoff withGrays United was called off before going intoextra time.[2] Brentford finished bottom of the First Division in1902–03, but once again held onto their place in the league after a 7–2 relegation playoff victory overWest London rivalsFulham.[3] Lewis stepped down from the role in May 1903 and was replaced byRichard Molyneux.[3] Lewis covered the manager's position for Molyneux for part of the1903–04 season, after Molyneux was suspended from football for attempting to buy agoalkeeper out of thearmy.[4] Lewis remained at Brentford as secretary until 1905 and later returned to the club in an administrative capacity.[5][6]
Lewis became the first club secretary ofChelsea when it was founded in 1905 and his contacts helped the club gain election toFootball League the same year.[7][8] With the resignation ofplayer-managerJohn Robertson on 27 November 1906,[9] Lewis becamecaretaker manager of the club, while retaining his secretarial duties.[7][8] Lewis led the side to its first promotion in the1906–07 season, finishing asSecond Division runners-up toNottingham Forest.[10] He left the job in June 1907 and was succeeded byDavid Calderhead.[11][9]
Lewis was aschoolteacher by profession.[5] He died in May 1916 after a long battle with cancer.[12]
Brentford
Chelsea
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