James Davies is an English former football manager. He managed Liverpool based side Waterloo Dock for 50 years.[1][2] His claim to be the longest serving manager in England was verified by The Football Association in 2008 when he had been manager for 45 years.[3]
| Senior career* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1963 | Waterloo Dock | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1963–2013 | Waterloo Dock | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Management career
editDavies, a dock worker in Liverpool's docks, formed the club in 1963 with friends, entering into Liverpool Business Houses League Second Division. Originally being a player for the first six weeks[3] he moved into management for two reasons - because they never had a manager and because he wasn't as good a player as his teammates.
In 2009 the club played Liverpool's reserve team in the Liverpool Senior Cup final[4] losing 1–0 to a goal in the last three minutes.[5]
His final match in charge was on 29 May 2013, aged 71, was a 7–2 cup final defeat to fellow Liverpool County Premier League side Red Rum at the Dockers Club in Anfield. Alongside him at this game was assistant manager Larry Dowling, who had served the club for 48 years.[6]
Davies and Dowling were awarded a testimonial match in 2013, with the game, played at Goodison Park, also raising money for former player Mark Maddox who is living with motor neurone disease.[7]
During his time managing the club they won over 70 trophies.[6]
References
edit- ^ Bakowski, Gregg (28 May 2013). "Longest-serving football manager in England calls it a day after 50 years". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ Traynor, Luke (17 May 2013). "Jimmy Davies: English football's longest-serving manager retiring after 50 YEARS". The Mirror. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Longest-serving football manager to retire after 50 years". BBC Sport. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Waterloo Dock AFC manager Jimmy Davies says he can't wait for their Liverpool Senior Cup final against Liverpool Reserves". Liverpool Echo. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "England manager Jimmy Davies retires ... after 50 years". SI Soccer. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ a b Jaleel, Gemma (29 May 2013). "Jim Davies retires after 50 years as Waterloo Dock manager". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ "Goodison to stage charity fund-raiser; LIVERPOOL COUNTY FA". Free Library. Retrieved 30 March 2022.