Thomas A. Barcroft (1870 – 26 September 1946) was the secretary-manager of Blackpool between 1903 and 1909. He was ''the Seasiders'' first recognised manager, but his role was not

full-time Full-time or Full Time may refer to: * Full-time job, employment in which a person works a minimum number of hours defined as such by their employer * Full-time mother, a woman whose work is running or managing her family's home * Full-time fat ...

. A 33-year-old Barcroft was in charge for the first game of the

1903–04 Nineteen or 19 may refer to: * 19 (number), the natural number following 18 and preceding 20 * one of the years 19 BC, AD 19, 1919, 2019 Films * ''19'' (film), a 2001 Japanese film * ''Nineteen'' (film), a 1987 science fiction film Music ...

season. Under his leadership, Blackpool won eleven and drew five of their 34 League games. They finished fourth from bottom. The following campaign,

1904–05 Nineteen or 19 may refer to: * 19 (number), the natural number following 18 and preceding 20 * one of the years 19 BC, AD 19, 1919, 2019 Films * ''19'' (film), a 2001 Japanese film * ''Nineteen'' (film), a 1987 science fiction film Music ...

, saw an identical finishing position. They finished 14th in

1905–06 Nineteen or 19 may refer to: * 19 (number), the natural number following 18 and preceding 20 * one of the years 19 BC, AD 19, 1919, 2019 Films * ''19'' (film), a 2001 Japanese film * ''Nineteen'' (film), a 1987 science fiction film Music ...

, 13th in

1906–07 Nineteen or 19 may refer to: * 19 (number), the natural number following 18 and preceding 20 * one of the years 19 BC, AD 19, 1919, 2019 Films * ''19'' (film), a 2001 Japanese film * ''Nineteen'' (film), a 1987 science fiction film Music ...

, before another 15th-placed finish in 1907–08. In his final season at the helm, Blackpool finished bottom and had to apply for re-election to the Football League. Barcroft remained as secretary at

Bloomfield Road Bloomfield Road is a single-tier football stadium in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, which has been the home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901. It is the third stadium in the club's existence, the previous two being Raikes Hall Gardens and the At ...

for the next quarter-century. On 3 July 1934, he received an illuminated manuscript in recognition of his 31 years of service to the club. He had even deputised in goal during the 1901–02 season, after Joe Dorrington missed the train from Blackpool to Leicester. He died on 26 September 1946 at his home in Blackpool. He was 75.

Managerial statistics

References

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External links

Profile at the League Managers AssociationProfile at Soccerbase.com
1870 births 1946 deaths Footballers from Wigan English men's footballers Men's association football goalkeepers Blackpool F.C. players English Football League players English football managers Blackpool F.C. managers English Football League managers {{England-footy-manager-stub