Manchester United Managers

Walter Crickmer (1931-1932,1937-1945)

Although Walter Crickmer never assumed the title of manager of Manchester United, he twice dovetailed the duties of team selection with those of his post as club secretary. One of the finest administrators in United's history, Crickmer first took charge of the team, along with Louis Rocca, in 1931 - 2, between the reigns of Herbert Bamlett and Scott Duncan. After Duncan resigned in November 1937, United were without a manager until the appointment of Matt Busby in 1945. Once again, Crickmer helped out with the playing affairs and his job took him through the troubled years of 1939 - 45. It was Crickmer who, in 1938, was largely reponsible for instituting the famous United youth policy that served the club so well in subsequent years. He was appointed secretary in 1926 and lost his life in the Munich air disaster, after 38 years with United.