A campaign is being organised to install a blue plaque to honour England’s first men’s national football team manager and Oldham-native Sir Walter Winterbottom.
Sir Walter was the manager of England between 1946 and 1962, leading England to four World Cups whilst at the helm.
The legendary coach, who was awarded a CBE, was born in Oldham and grew up in a house on Stafford Street, where local fans are looking to have a blue plaque placed in his honour.
Andrew Taylor is one of those leading the process and was inspired after reading Sir Walter’s biography.
Andrew said: “I read his book and didn’t know much about him and that he was born in Oldham.”
The biography of Sir Walter was written by the former coach’s son-in-law, Graham Morse, who coincidentally happens to know Andrew’s son.
Andrew said: “I got the book as a gift for Father’s Day and it was signed by Graham, who is a friend of my son.”
Andrew and Graham are looking for the blue plaque to be installed on the wall outside 31 Stafford Street, however, this has been complicated by the fact the house is currently up for sale.
They will have to wait until the house is sold until they can ask the new owners for permission for it to be placed there.
The plans to honour Sir Walter don’t stop there, however.
Andrew contacted Oldham Libraries and together they have decided they will look to hold an exhibition on Sir Winterbottom, which would include memorabilia.
The plan is for the exhibition to take place around November and December, when the upcoming World Cup is due to take place.
As a player, Sir Winterbottom played for Royton Amateurs and eventually signed for Manchester United in 1936 as a part-time player, whilst he taught at Alexandra Road School in Oldham.
He was forced to retire at the age of 21 due to a spinal disease, which was later diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis.
He would go on to serve in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War before being appointed as the first England manager in 1946.
To this day, Sir Walter remains the youngest and longest-serving head coach of the England men’s national team.
Andrew has made an appeal for anyone with any memorabilia that could be used in the exhibition to come forward.
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