The Managers Part 1

Among these, eight held the title of Secretary-Manager, a unique role that combined the daily management of the club’s administration with the organisation and training of the team.

The Directors were responsible for selecting the team and making hiring and firing decisions (including the dismissal of eight managers following a cup exit against Grimsby Town in 1885), with the Secretary having only one vote in the selection process.

Our inaugural manager, Joe McClelland, who was appointed in 1936, still needed to present his team for the Directors’ approval, but with a 43% win rate, they generally trusted his judgment.

The first Secretary-Manager, John Henry Strawson, who also played for us during our inaugural season, had two tenures at the club.

His initial period was marked by inconsistent performance, which was understandable given his numerous responsibilities. He managed the finances, trained the players, and played a crucial role in constructing the ground and facilitating the move to Sincil Bank, celebrating our status as founder members of the second division.

During his second tenure (1907-19), he demonstrated remarkable skill by consistently keeping us in the League through strategic negotiations that ensured our re-election at meetings. Strawson’s eloquence was well-known; it is likely that we owe our continued existence to him, as he prevented us from fading away like many other clubs during the early days of football. I

n recognition of his long service, the Football League honored him in 1919, noting that he had even officiated as a referee for seven years between 1888 and 1905. He returned to the club following the departure of David Calderhead Senior to Chelsea in 1907, after we had made a strong impression in an FA Cup match at Stamford Bridge. David’s son would later manage us during another challenging period following World War I.