Joe Mercer

Mercer was born in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, the son of a former Nottingham Forest and Tranmere Rovers footballer, also named Joe. When Mercer was 12 his father died following health problems resulting from a gas attack during the First World War. Mercer, a left-half, first played for Ellesmere Port Town. He was a powerful tackler and good at anticipating an opponent's moves. He joined Everton in September 1932 at the age of 18 and claimed a regular first team place in the 1935–36 season. Mercer made 186 appearances for Everton, scoring two goals and a winning a League championship medal in the 1938–39 season. While playing for Everton, he gained five England caps between 1938 and 1939. Like many players of his generation, Mercer lost out on seven seasons of football due to the Second World War. He became a sergeant-major and played in 26 wartime internationals, many of them as captain. The Everton manager Theo Kelly accused Mercer of not trying in an international against Scotland, but in reality, Mercer had sustained a severe cartilage injury. Even after consulting an orthopaedic specialist, the Everton management refused to believe him and Mercer had to pay for the surgery himself. During the war, Mercer guested for Chester, making his debut in a 4–1 win over Halifax Town in September 1942. Mercer moved in late 1946 for £9,000 (£471,362 in 2022) to Arsenal, commuting from Liverpool; Kelly brought Mercer's boots to the transfer negotiations to prevent Mercer having a…

After his playing career ended, Mercer spent a year working as a journalist and a grocer. His wife's family had encouraged him to become involved in grocery during his time at Everton and, while still Arsenal's captain, he ran his grocery business at 105–107 Brighton Street, Wallasey. On 18 August 1955, he returned to football, becoming manager of Sheffield United two days before their first game of the season against Newcastle United. Mercer was appointed to replace manager Reg Freeman, who had died during the close season. As a manager, he began inauspiciously and his first season ended in relegation. The rest of his time as manager was spent in the Second Division and in December 1958, wanting to move to another club, he resigned. Mercer moved to Aston Villa, who were bottom of the First Division. Although he led them to the FA Cup semi-finals, he was relegated to the Second Division once again. He moved out the older players Johnny Dixon, Stan Lynn, Peter McParland and John Neal. He moulded a talented young side at Villa, and his team became known as the "Mercer Minors". He led Villa to victory in the inaugural League Cup in 1961, but suffered a stroke in 1964 and was then sacked by the Aston Villa board upon his recovery. Despite this, his health improved and he went on to enjoy great success as a manager with Manchester City between 1965 and 1971. In his first season at Maine Road, the club won the 1966 Second Division title to regain their top-flight status. Two…

After quitting as Coventry City boss, he served as a director of the club from 1975 to his retirement in 1981. He was also an active freemason, attending Rivacre Lodge No. 5805 at Ellesmere Port. Mercer was a subject of the television programme This Is Your Life in March 1970, when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to football in 1976. He suffered with Alzheimer's disease in later life and died, sitting in his favourite armchair, on his 76th birthday in 1990. He was survived by his widow Norah, who remained a keen football follower, and attended Manchester City matches for many years. She died in March 2013 and her funeral was attended by over 120 mourners, including City legends Mike Summerbee, Tony Book, Colin Bell and Joe Corrigan, as well as Bobby Charlton. He is commemorated by Manchester City with the road Joe Mercer Way at the City of Manchester Stadium being named after him. Along the road are two mosaics by renowned Manchester artist Mark Kennedy of Mercer; one shows his smiling face lifting the League Championship trophy; the other is a version of a famous photograph showing Mercer from behind as he looks out over the Maine Road pitch towards the Kippax Stand. His contribution to City was commemorated in the Kippax tribute still sung at the City of Manchester Stadium to the tune of Auld Lang Syne: "The Stretford End cried out aloud: 'It's the end of you Sky Blues.' Joe Mercer came. We played…

As a player

Everton

Football League First Division: 1938–39 Arsenal

Football League First Division: 1947–48, 1952–53 FA Cup: 1949–50; runner-up: 1951–52 FA Charity Shield: 1948, 1953

As a manager

Aston Villa

Football League Second Division: 1959–60 Football League Cup: 1960–61 Manchester City

Football League First Division: 1967–68 Football League Second Division: 1965–66 FA Cup: 1968–69 Football League Cup: 1969–70 FA Charity Shield: 1968 European Cup Winners' Cup: 1969–70 England

British Home Championship: 1973–74 (shared)

Individual

English Football Hall of Fame: 2009 FWA Footballer of the Year: 1949–50