Harold Shepherdson MBE (28 October 1918 – 13 September 1995) was an English football player, coach and manager.[1]

Harold Shepherdson
MBE
Shepherdson in 1969
Personal information
Full name Harold Shepherdson
Date of birth (1918-10-28)28 October 1918
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Date of death 13 September 1995(1995-09-13) (aged 76)
Place of death Middlesbrough, England
Position(s) Centre half
Youth career
Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
South Bank
1936–1947 Middlesbrough 17 (0)
1947 Southend United 0 (0)
Managerial career
1966 Middlesbrough (caretaker)
1973 Middlesbrough (caretaker)
1977 Middlesbrough (caretaker)
1982 Middlesbrough (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Born in Middlesbrough, Shepherdson signed for his hometown club in 1936, but saw his playing career interrupted by the Second World War and ultimately made just 17 league appearances.

He is most notable for having been Alf Ramsey's long-term assistant as England manager, including during the successful 1966 World Cup campaign. Shepherdson also had four spells as caretaker manager at Middlesbrough.[2]

Shepherdson was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1969 Birthday Honours.[3]

Originally, only the eleven players who featured in the 4–2 win over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final received medals. Following a Football Association led campaign to persuade FIFA to award medals to every non-playing squad and staff member, Margaret Shepherdson received a medal on behalf of her late husband from Gordon Brown at a ceremony at 10 Downing Street on 10 June 2009.[4]

The flyover road leading to Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium was named Shepherdson Way in honour of his contribution to the club.

References

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  1. ^ Ivan Ponting (18 September 2011). "Obituary: Harold Shepherdson". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Harold's Part In England History". Middlesbrough F.C. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  3. ^ United Kingdom list: "No. 44863". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 June 1969. p. 5978.
  4. ^ World Cup 1966 winners honoured