18 Facts About Frank Brettell

Frank E Brettell was an English football player, manager and administrator.

Frank Brettell played as a full-back for Everton, a club that was originally called St Domingo's.

Frank Brettell combined his role as player-secretary-manager with his full-time job as a reporter for the Liverpool Mercury.

Frank Brettell became secretary of Bolton Wanderers in 1896 and remained there for two years before moving to London to join Tottenham Hotspur as their first manager.

Frank Brettell then accepted a more lucrative offer to join Portsmouth and guided them to a second-place finish in their first season in the Southern League.

Frank Brettell accepted an offer to join Plymouth Argyle in 1903 and helped establish the club in the professional game.

Frank Brettell initially played as centre- or inside-forward for the club, and later due to injuries as half-back and even on goal.

Frank Brettell combined his playing duties with a role as secretary-manager of the team in 1875.

Frank Brettell joined Bolton Wanderers in 1896, again as secretary-manager.

Frank Brettell signed a number of players from Bolton Wanderers and other northern clubs, including John Cameron from Everton who took over as manager of Spurs after Bretell left.

Frank Brettell's stay as the club's manager was relatively brief; he resigned in February 1899 to join Portsmouth after they offered him substantially more money to take the job.

Frank Brettell left the club in June 1901 by "mutual agreement"; according to Football Chat "a detailed explanation [would serve] no good purpose".

Frank Brettell used his extensive network of contacts to bring a number of experienced professionals to Home Park, including; Andy Clark, Jack Fitchett, Bob Jack, Billy Leech and Jack Peddie.

Frank Brettell led the club to creditable ninth- and fourth-place finishes in the Southern League, as well as winning the Western League in 1905.

Frank Brettell left the club at the end of his second season in charge and wouldn't manage a professional team again, but his place in English football history was assured.

Frank Brettell was the son of William Brettell, foreman at a nut and bolt works, and Charlotte Burgess.

Frank Brettell moved to the Liverpool area with his parents in the 1860s, became a school teacher in the 1880s and 1890s, marrying Lavinia Isabel Spearman in 1882, with whom he had 10 children.

Frank Brettell died in Dartford, Kent, in 1936 aged 74.