Just days before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar, an Oldham gallery is launching an exhibition to celebrate the borough's first football legend.

Gallery Oldham has announced it will be hosting a new exhibition to celebrate the life and achievements of the first manager of the England men's football team, Sir Walter Winterbottom, starting from November 15.

Walter was born in 1913 in Werneth and grew up in a house on Stafford Street, where fans have been campaigning for a blue plaque to be put up in his honour.

After graduating from Chester Teaching Training College in 1934, Walter then became a teacher at his former Oldham school, Alexandra Road Junior School.

However, he continued to play football locally, including for Royton Amateurs, but it was while playing for Mossley that he was spotted by Manchester United.

Walter then signed for the Red Devils and played two seasons with them before the second world war.

In 1946 at the age of just 34, Walter was appointed by the Football Association as Director of Coaching and Manager of the England team - the first-ever national team manager. 

The Oldham Times: Walter went from an Oldham school boy to teacher to Manchester United football player and finally, England's first managerWalter went from an Oldham school boy to teacher to Manchester United football player and finally, England's first manager (Image: Oldham Council)

Walter went on to take the England team to four World Cup finals - Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden and Chile - and saw his team reach the quarterfinals in 1954 and 1962.

His work ultimately laid the foundations for England's World Cup victory in 1966.

As England's manager, Walter saw the team play 139 matches, win 78, draw 33 and lose 28.

He died from cancer, aged 89, at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford in 2002.

But Sir Walter remains England's first, youngest and longest-serving manager - and was knighted for his services to the sport in 1978.

The exhibition showcasing his life and achievements brings together a collection of memorabilia and images from the family archive.

Visitors can expect to see some of Walter's personal items, such as the congratulatory telegram he received from Royton Amateurs FC after he first played for Manchester United.

After the exhibition launch on November 15, there will also be a talk by the author Graham Morse about his book, 'Sir Walter Winterbottom: The Father of Modern English Football'.

Graham is the former coach's son-in-law and his book will also be on display in the gallery foyer until December 17.

Councillor Elaine Taylor, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “Sir Walter Winterbottom is another great and talented Oldhamer.

“It is really important to us that we celebrate our history and heritage, and Sir Walter is a big part of that.

“With the World Cup starting soon, this is a perfect opportunity to go and visit Gallery Oldham and learn about the borough’s links with football history.”