Manager Info

• Sir Alfred Ernest Ramsey

• England Manager: 1963 - 1974

• Born: 22nd January 1920, Dagenham

• Died: 28th April 1999, Ipswich, Suffolk

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• Sir Alf's playing career was at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in over 300 matches as a right back. He gained 32 caps for England, captaining them on three occasions and scoring three goals, all from the penalty spot.
  In 1955, he was approached by Ipswich Town to become their player-manager which he initially refused as he thought it was impossible to be a good manager with the distraction of playing as well. Eventually he agreed and hung up his football boots. Ramsey had joined Ipswich when they had just been relegated to the old Third Division South. By 1961 Ipswich had been promoted into the First Division for the first time in their history and in their debut season became Champions of England.
  After Walter Winterbottom's resignation at the end of 1962, the FA sought Ramsey's services. He agreed only if he could have complete control over selection. Up until then selection was still in the hands of the FA Select Committee. They eventually agreed but as his tenure wasn't officially due to start until May 1963 the Select Committee picked the side for his first two matches. The first of those matches was not a resounding success, a 5-2 loss to France in a European Championship Qualifier, neither was the second, a 2-1 loss to Scotland. However, when he took over complete control he soon hit his stride with a commendable draw against Brazil, a 4-2 win in Czechoslovakia, an 8-1 thrashing of Switzerland and a 4-0 win against Wales.
  As England had been selected as hosts back in 1960 for the 1966 World Cup, Ramsey's first two years in charge were a procession of friendlies with only the competitive edge of the Home Championship to hone his squad. Nether the less he guided England to their only World Cup win.
  In the 1970 World Cup England were eliminated in the quarter-finals by West Germany despite being 2-0 up after 70 minutes. In the searing heat of Mexico, he took the decision to substitute Bobby Charlton and Martin Peters before seeing West Germany score twice and then get the winner in extra time.
  A poor qualifying campaign for the 1974 World Cup saw England require a win in their last match but Poland, and their inspired goalkeeper Tomaszewski, managed to hang on for a draw and they went to West Germany instead (finishing a creditable third). Ramsey was allowed to continue as manager but there are plots in the FA and Fleet Street to oust him. Six months and two games later after a defeat to Italy and a draw in Portugal he is sacked.
  After England, Ramsey had spells at Birmingham City and at Panathinaikos as a technical director.
  He was knighted in 1967 and was an inaugural inductee into the English Football Hall of Fame. He died in 1999.