Joe Mercer

Lore & Background

Mercer was born in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, the son of a former Nottingham Forest and Tranmere Rovers footballer, also named Joe. When Mercer was 12 his father died following health problems resulting from a gas attack during the First World War. Mercer, a left-half, first played for Ellesmere Port Town. He joined Everton in September 1932 and claimed a regular first team place in the 1935–36 season.

He made 186 appearances for Everton, scoring two goals and winning a League championship medal in the 1938–39 season. While playing for Everton, he gained five England caps between 1938 and 1939. Like many players of his generation, Mercer lost out on seven seasons of football due to the Second World War. He became a sergeant-major and played in 26 wartime internationals, many of them as captain.

During the war, Mercer guested for Chester. He moved in late 1946 for £9,000 to Arsenal, commuting from Liverpool. He made his Arsenal debut against Bolton Wanderers on 30 November 1946 and soon became club captain. As captain, he led Arsenal to win a League championship title in the 1947–48 season, an FA Cup winner's medal in 1950, and a third League title in 1952–53.

He broke his leg in two places in April 1954 and retired the following year. After his playing career ended, Mercer spent a year working as a journalist and a grocer. He returned to football as manager of Sheffield United in August 1955. He later managed Aston Villa, leading them to victory in the inaugural League Cup in 1961, but suffered a stroke in 1964 and was sacked upon his recovery.

He went on to enjoy great success as a manager with Manchester City between 1965 and 1971, winning the 1966 Second Division title, the 1967–68 First Division championship, the 1969 FA Cup, the 1970 League Cup, and the 1970 European Cup Winners' Cup. After a dispute with his assistant Malcolm Allison, Mercer moved upstairs to become general manager at Manchester City in October 1971. He left at the end of the season and became manager of Coventry City from 1972 to 1974.

During the same time, Mercer was also caretaker manager of the England national football team for a brief period in 1974 after Alf Ramsey was sacked. He was in charge for seven games, winning three, drawing three and losing one. After quitting as Coventry City boss, he served as a director of the club from 1975 to his retirement in 1981.

Reader's Guide

Joe Mercer is a legendary figure in English football, known for his playing career at Everton and Arsenal and his managerial triumphs at Manchester City. He lost seven seasons of league football due to the Second World War. As a manager, he led Manchester City to multiple trophies including the European Cup Winners' Cup. He also briefly managed England.

Did You Know?

• He was voted FWA Footballer of the Year in 1950.
• He was caretaker manager of England in 1974, sharing the British Home Championship with Scotland.
• Mercer was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2009.