14 Facts About Ron Greenwood

Ronald Greenwood CBE was an English football player and manager, best known for being manager of the England national football team from 1977 until 1982, as well as being manager of West Ham United for 13 years, a time during which the club gained much of its fame.

Ron Greenwood was born at 15 Lennox Street, Worsthorne, near Burnley, Lancashire, but moved to London in 1931 during the Depression.

Ron Greenwood served with an RAF mobile radio unit first of all in Northern Ireland and later in France during the Second World War.

Ron Greenwood coached Eastbourne United, Oxford University, and England youth teams.

Ron Greenwood combined the England under-23 post with being the assistant manager at Arsenal under George Swindin, having moved to Highbury in December 1957.

Ron Greenwood remained there until April 1961, when he was selected by chairman Reg Pratt to replace Ted Fenton as manager of West Ham United.

Ron Greenwood moved upstairs in 1974, becoming the club's general manager for the next three years, with John Lyall being placed in charge of the first team.

Ron Greenwood retired from football after the 1982 World Cup, with the national coach's job going to Bobby Robson.

One major landmark during Ron Greenwood's tenure was the selection of the first black player for England, Viv Anderson, in 1978.

Ron Greenwood died of a heart attack on the morning on 9 February 2006, aged 84, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

The Town Council of Loughton, where Ron Greenwood lived during his time as West Ham manager, erected a blue plaque to his memory on one of his former houses in the town, 22 Brooklyn Avenue: this was unveiled by Sir Trevor Brooking and the Town Mayor, Chris Pond on 28 October 2008.

Ron Greenwood was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006, recognising his achievements as a manager in the English game.

Ron Greenwood is a member of the FA and LMA Halls of Fame.

Ron Greenwood is buried in the Town Cemetery at Sudbury in Suffolk.