As reproduced
in Tameside Reporter and Gary James’ blog
Bert
Whalley information for PFA plaque unveiling at Stalybridge Celtic in the
summer of 2021, provisional date is Saturday 7 August 2021 and followed by a
special tribute match
Bert
Whalley: 1912- 1958
Further
details from Mark Metcalf, who is responsible for the project on behalf of the
PFA as well as two further projects in 2021 that will see plaques unveiled to
Joe Mercer and Stan Cullis in Ellesmere Port.
07392 852561
Plaque
unveiling – more details soon.
Born in
Ashton-Under-Lyne on 6 August 1912, Herbert (Bert) Whalley played as a central
defender for Stalybridge Celtic in the Cheshire League during the second half
of the 1933/34 season. Following which he moved in May 1934 to Second Division
Manchester United where he remained as a player and coach until his tragic
death at Munich on 6 February 1958.
Stalybridge
Celtic (SC)
After
three SC reserve games, Whalley made his first team debut for the club on Saturday
16 December 1933 in the Cheshire County League home fixture at Bower Fold
against strugglers Sandwich Ramblers. He replaced at centre half Bliss, who had
injured his ankle, in 3-0 victory. ‘Looker-On’ in the Ashton-under-Lyne
Reporter (ALR) felt that despite ‘the conditions not being the best on which to
judge his true merits, he gave a really polished display, exhibiting some
delightfully tricky footwork.’
The new
man had originally played for Ferguson-Pailin, where he worked, in the
Manchester Amateur Alliance League. He had also recently signed for Third
Division North side Stockport County, whose reserves also played in the
Cheshire League. This move had been blocked by new rules that an amateur, as
Whalley was, signed to one club in the CL could not be signed by another club
in the same league. County were forced to withdraw Whalley’s signing on forms.
Whalley
remained in the SC first team for the match at Bower Fold on 23 December 1933 and Prescot Cables were
beaten 3-1. According to the ALR he played ‘impressively’ in a deserved
victory.
Playing
away to Mossley, SC grabbed a point with a last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
There was praise for Whalley in the ALR. “He is not as skilful with his head as
his feet, but he tackles well and never gets flurried.”
League
champions Macclesfield were heavily beaten 6-3 when Stalybridge Celtic visited
them on New Year’s Day 1934. The ALR commented: ‘to a man, the team.. was
excellent ..each played his part splendidly… Whalley again deputised for Bliss
at centre-half with credit.’ (Monday 1st January)
The
victorious team had though been beaten two days earlier, 2-1 at Northwich
Victoria. Whalley was expected to drop out of the side as Bliss’s ankle injury
was now sufficiently recovered but late in the week he contracted tonsilitis
and was confined to bed. As such ‘Whalley appeared for the fourth successive
game at centre-half, and again gave a promising display, supplying his forwards
with clever passes.’ Prince in the home
goal produced a series of great saves that included a penalty stop from Prior.
On
Saturday 6 January, Whalley’s side beat Congleton Town 3-1 at home and he had a
fine game, especially in the first half, being ‘conspicuous with pretty and
effective work which was much appreciated by the spectators.’ (ALR) Prior
scored twice from the penalty spot.
The
following Saturday, Whalley, although reported as not well, was at Bower Fold
to play in a 3-2 victory against Witton Albion. In a lengthy match report his
name did not appear once.
However,
Stalybridge Celtic then suffered a shock defeat 4-3 at home to amateur side ICI
(Alkali) in the first round of the Cheshire Senior Cup. Whalley’s place at
centre-half was taken by Bliss. ICI of the Manchester League were more used to
playing the Celtic reserves.
When SC
beat Winsford 5-2 away on 10 February 1934, Whalley was back at centre half and
came in for praise as, ‘resourceful.. tackling determinedly when he and he and
his partners, Suttie and Kellard, spent much time helping Mountney and
Thornley.’(ALR) (the full-backs) Staffs
Sentinel reporter noted ‘Parkin and Whalley were dangerous on the rare
occasions when Celtic attacked, but Robinson made two wonderful saves.’
A month
later on 10 March 1934, Celtic were beaten 3-0 at Runcorn but Whalley was
noted by the paper in a brief report as ‘relieving the pressure’ in the first
period. The following weekend Whalley was part of the Celtic XI that fell
behind at home to Nantwich only to later dominate their opponents to win
10-3.
In mid
April, Chester Reserves beat Stalybridge Celtic 2-0 and according to the Liverpool
Echo reporter ‘Whalley’s generalship was the feature of the Celtic’s
team work.’ His side of Travis, Thornley, Mountney, Suttie, Whalley, Kellard,
Prior, Scullion, Parkin, Hornby, Murphy was beaten 4-2 in the penultimate game
of the season away to Crewe Alexandra reserves.
The
following weekend saw a heavy 6-3 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers with Mayers
at centre-half struggling to contain the Rovers centre-forward Spencer who
notched three. Midway through the second period, Suttie took over at
centre-half.
Against
Chester at home, the half-backs were reported as ‘delightfully skilful, both in
attack and defence’ and the visitors left beaten 2-0.
There was
a crowd of over 3,000 to witness a 3-3 draw at Hyde United, who recovered to
grab a point after falling two goals behind. Whalley was praised for his
efforts.
At home
to Nantwich, SC fell behind to a side they had beaten 16-2 the previous season
at Bower Field. A shock though was not on the cards as Whalley’s side soon
equalised and went on to win 10-3 with Hornby grabbing three and Allen, leading
the attack for the first time, scoring four.
It was
reported that ‘Whalley gave a magnificent display. Celtic’s centre-half plays
the third back game to perfection, while in attack he exerts a commanding and
forceful influence.’
Away to
Prescot Cables, Whalley’s team drew 2-2 and he ‘never allowed Harris, Prescot’s
centre-forward any scope, while his passes were so perfect that Prescot were
continually chasing the shadow.’ Playing before a crowd close to 2,000, Prescot
grabbed a point with two late efforts.
Hyde
deservedly beat Stalybridge Celtic 2-0 on the last day of March 1934. On a hard
ground at Bower Fold they dealt more easily with a bouncing ball than their opponents.
A late Whalley header might have reduced the arrears but it was a day to forget
for the home side who ended the day in seventh place in the Cheshire County
League.
Stalybridge
drew 1-1 at home to Mossley on Good Friday with the home goal coming after a
good run by Whalley saw the centre half then find Prior who crossed for Murphy
to turn the ball into the net from close range.
On
Tuesday 16 April 1934, Stalybridge Celtic played their last home league match
of the 1933-34 season and drew 1-1 with Wigan Athletic. It was probably a game
the home side should have won in a match where the ALR felt ‘Whalley was
inclined to over-dribble at times but when he discarded this policy he was at
his best.’
Stalybridge
were beaten 4-3 at home to Macclesfield in the Cheshire League Challenge Cup.
The winner in extra-time, which because of the emerging darkness had been cut
to five minutes each way by the referee, Mr Sergeant, came at the very end of
the additional time that had been played and following which the official
dashed off to the dressing room as he sounded the whistle. With many home fans
believing there was still a minute or so remaining this incensed a fair number
who made a rush after Mr Sergeant. The arrival of police officers prevented any
serious disturbance. The defeat came despite Celtic having led 3-1 at one
point. Whalley played in a half back line-up that included Suttie to his right
and Kellard to his left.
There was
better fortune in the Ashton Challenge Cup as Celtic beat Hurst 3-2 in a
midweek semi-final fixture with the winner coming on 86 minutes. The winning
side’s strength was the half-back line with ‘Whalley putting an effective check
on Halliday.’ (ALR)
A 3-1
defeat at Buxton was reported as being the result of the away forwards missing
a number of chances whilst the ALR contended that ‘Celtic’s half-back line was
their best department.’
Hyde
United had overcome Ashton National away to reach the Ashton Challenge Cup
Final against Stalybridge Celtic that was played on National’s ground.
Prior to
the final, Celtic, winning 2-1 at the interval, were beaten 4-2 at Crewe
Alexandra. There was, again, praise for the half-back line up ‘which has been
one of the strongest and most consistent departments in the team since Whalley
was brought into the side.’
The
Ashton Challenge Cup kicked off at 6.45 on Friday 11 May. Hyde had won the
trophy in the previous three seasons and started the match as slight favourites.
The crowd
was a large one but they saw a poor game in which Hyde just squeezed home by
two goals to one with Keers at outside left, who had earlier scored the
equalising goal, netting the winner on the 84th minute. Whilst
Whalley was good in defence he was rarely able to get forward to shine in
attack. When the Hyde captain, Dennis Izon, was presented with the cup, there
were large cheers and scenes of great enthusiasm amongst the Hyde players and
their supporters.
The
Reporter of May 12, 1934 that ‘Whalley, who had played as an amateur for most
of the season… before signing as a professional for Celtic several weeks ago…
signed professional forms for Manchester United on Monday,’ which would be 7
May.
Whalley,
aged 20, 5’ 10” tall and weighing 11st 7llbs, had joined Celtic at the start of
the 1933-34 season but after only playing a few reserve games he left to join
Ferguson Pailin’s team, where he was employed.
When he
returned to Celtic reserves he was then also signed for Stockport County as an
amateur. This resulted in the Cheshire League passing a resolution barring any
player from the league playing with the reserves in another League. Whalley was
allowed to remain at Celtic and his break came when Bliss, Celtic’s
centre-half, was injured and when the reserve player stepped up a level he was
an immediate success.
Whalley
was reported as being a keen cricketer, playing for the Trafalgar square first
XI in the Glossop and District League.
Also
leaving Bower Field was Ronald Hornby, who had joined Celtic in November 1933.
The clever inside-left had made 34 consecutive appearances for the club and
scored 13 goals. Hornby had joined Burnley.
It was to
be eighteen months before Bert Whalley made his first team debut for his new
club.
He was
selected by manager Scott Duncan for the Old Trafford side’s Second Division
fixture against Doncaster Rovers at home
on 30 November 1934. The match ended in a 0-0 draw before a crowd of 23,569.
Bert
Whalley’s Manchester United debut side was Langford, Griffiths, Porter,
Whalley, Voce, McKay, Cape, Mutch, Bamford, Rowley and Manley
In a
playing career cut short by WWII, during which played for United and Bolton
Wanderers in unofficial wartime competitions, and injury, Whalley went on to
make 32 League and 6 FA Cup appearances for Manchester United. His final game for Manchester United was at
home to Blackburn Rovers in Division One on 19 April 1947. This resulted in a
4-0 victory before a 46,196 crowd. With Old Trafford out of use due to war
damage this game was played at Maine Road, Manchester City’s ground at the
time. Whalley was by now the longest serving professional at Old Trafford and
in 1946-47 he led the reserves to the Central League championship. The Manchester
Evening News of 18 March 1947 said of him; “The experience of Bert Whalley
is a real asset to Manchester United…. signed from Stalybridge Celtic in 1934.
His transfer cost nothing, but he has turned out as an invaluable utility
player – as pivot, wing-half and even full-back.”
His final
first team game side was Jack Crompton, Johnny Carey, John Aston senior, Jack
Warner, Whalley, Henry Cockburn, Jimmy Delaney, Johnny Morris, Jimmy Hanlon,
Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley
Later in 1947, Whalley, who
according to Jimmy Murphy, manager Matt Busby’s assistant, always describe
described himself as “just an honest trier”, was coaching some schoolboys at
Stockport County when a miskicked ball hit him in the eye. The player did not
complain until on the way to a reserve match at Newcastle United, he confessed
that he was having trouble with his vision.
On visiting a Tyneside hospital,
he refused to be kept in and returned to Manchester for treatment. On Christmas
Eve 1947, Whalley was as depressed as anyone as he faced losing his sight in
one eye and the end of his football career. It was then that Matt Busby showed one
of the reasons why he was a great manager by demonstrating loyalty. Busby, who
had become manager at United in 1945, told Whalley that when left hospital he
had just the job. In August 1948, Whalley replaced Arthur Gale as the man in
charge of Manchester United’s ‘A’ side, the third team at the club.
Manchester United had ended the
1946-47 season as runners-up in Division One but nevertheless Matt Busby took
seriously the comment of Jimmy Murphy, who had managed the successful Central
League side that season, when he told him there was not one reserve who could
strengthen the first team. Busby replied; “in that case we will have to find
our own youngsters.”
That remark led, after a time, to
great players such as Duncan Edwards, Dennis Violet, Bobby Charlton and later
George Best. Getting these players was no fluke and in addition to Murphy the
two key men were Joe Armstrong, the Manchester United chief scout, who was a
shrewd judge of a schoolboy, and Bert Whalley, one of the best coaches in
England. Armstrong oversaw a small group of scouts that covered Britain and
Ireland and when a youngster came to Old Trafford consideration as a member of
the ground staff, he was assessed by Whalley and Murphy, who ultimately had the
final say.
With Murphy, by now assistant
manager to Busby, occupied with the Wales national team at the time, Bert
Whalley, by now the chief coach, accompanied the first team to Belgrade for
European tie with Partizan Belgrade in February 1958. On the return flight he, along
with many players he’d worked with over the years. was tragically killed at
Munich on 6 February 1958.
John Doherty - a member of the Manchester United side that won the title
in 1955/56
“What a lovely man. It was a pleasure to have known Bert and I don’t think
I’ve ever heard a single soul say a wrong word about him…. it was clear that he
had been a useful performer in his time, a stylish central defender who was
comfortable on the ball and invariably had time to move it on without
panicking.
“He was not big for a centre-half, standing perhaps two inches under
6ft, and certainly he didn’t go around kicking people, but he carried authority
because he had a certain presence about him…
“The hierarchy when I arrived was Matt Busby at the top, with Jimmy Murphy
and Bert doing most of the coaching and sharing an office until Bert died at
Munich.
“He was terrific to all the young players, always ready with a kind work
to lift our spirits. A Methodist lay-preacher, he was a quiet man, in contrast
to Jimmy, who was more fire-and-brimstone in his approach, likely to singe the
hair on the back of the neck.
“Bert offered a buffer zone where we could recover our equilibrium after
feeling the Murphy wrath, although he was nobody’s fool and people couldn’t
take advantage of his good nature.
…looking back, I loved them both.”
Taken from The Insider’s Guide to Manchester United: Candid
Profiles of every Red Devil form Rowley to Rooney
John Doherty with Ivan Ponting
Bert Whalley
is listed at number 1 in this book.
Bert
Whalley’s funeral was held on Thursday 13 February 1958. Thousands lined the
route to Dukinfield Crematorium for what was the longest funeral procession for
many years in Ashton. Crowds of people gathered at factory entrances, having
been given time away from their work benches. Shop assistants lined the
pavements and school children looked on.
The cortege
of 50 cars stopped briefly a few yards from the Trafalgar Square Methodist Church
where Bert worked voluntarily for many years at the youth club. James Scullion,
who originally signed the player for SC, was amongst those at the crematorium.
Jimmy Murphy was present as was Sandy Busby, representing his father Matt, plus
Henry Cockburn and John Aston senior. Stalybridge Celtic were represented by J
Turner, R Peace and ex-manager Ernest Ollershaw. There were floral tributes from a number of
football clubs including Manchester City, who had lost of one their own at
Munich in Frank Swift.
Family
members listed at the funeral include
Mrs W
Whalley
Mr and Mrs R
Whalley
Mr and Mrs D
Whalley
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