Exclusive Interview with Jack Wheeler - Part One

Last updated : 21 July 2003 By Jack Wheeler

Jack Wheeler
I joined Notts in June 1957 with Tommy Lawton who was Manager, I came from Kettering and I was appointed Head Trainer.

There were 33 full time professionals on the staff. We were relegated in my first season from Division two and Tommy Lawton was sacked. I took charge along with Tim Coleman and Arthur Dixon for three months until Frank Hill was appointed as Manager.

In 1959 I served under several Managers as the Trainer for the first team. After the dismissal of Billy Gray in 1968 I was appointed Acting Manager. This appointment of Acting Manager lasted for 14 months. I was running the club single-handed for £30 a week this included training, treatment of injuries and scouting for the club. I received an extra £10 if we managed a ‘win' and £5 for a ‘draw'. This appointment lasted until Jimmy Sirrell was appointed in 1969. .
Jimmy Sirrell
When Jimmy Sirrell was appointed I then assisted with the training but this time it consisted mainly of treatment of injuries. Jimmy's record was promotions from Division 4 to Division 1 (which is now known as the Premier League).

There were four of us on the staff at the time they were Mr. Dunnett, Jimmy Sirrel, Don Masson and myself. On all these occasions all the following players mentioned on the ground staff progressed to being first team players, these were Tony Flowers, Tony Bircumshaw, David Smith, David Needham, Pedro Richards, Tristian Benjamin, Cyril Parry, Terry Wharton, David Clarke.

After 26 years of service I had to retire in 1983 as I was suffering from Arthritic Hips. However, during this time I never missed one first team game which was approximately 1,360 league and cup games. This does not include friendlies, tours or pre-season matches.

Jack Wheeler
My career started at Cheltenham Town in 1937. I was aged 17 when my career actually began. My debut was against Ipswich Town. I was transferred to Birmingham on March 16th 1938. My wages were £5 during the season and £3 during the summer. My debut match for Birmingham was against Bolton Wanderers in October 1932.

I played against Liverpool both home and away, and also Arsenal, Portsmouth and Celtic in the 1938-39 season. I took over from Harry Hibbs (England's Goalkeeper) at the Outbreak of the war in September 1939. I was playing in regional football for 30 shillings a game. I was then called up into the Army – going through North African and Italian Campaign.

I was demobbed in 1946 to rejoin Birmingham. My chances were limited as Gilbert Merrick was then England's Keeper. I was transferred to Huddersfield Town in August 1948. I left Huddersfield in 1956 to join Tommy Lawton at Kettering. During 8 seasons at Huddersfield I had 3 fractures and cartilage operations – completing all games with injuries.

During the 1952-53 season as Huddersfield defence, I played 42 league games unchanged and conceded 33 goals and Huddersfield was eventually promoted to Division 1.

Stanford Kelly, McGarry, McEvoy ousted McKenna, Watson, Glaggard Davies and Metcalfe. There were only 15 players used all season, which included 3 right-wingers. Metcalf (42games),

Glazzard (41 games), Staniforth, McGarry, Metcalfe (England Internationals), Watson (Scottish), Andrew Beattie was Manager. I found that Andrew Beattie was the best Manager I had ever played under. He was also a Scottish International at the time.