Spen Whittaker

Spen Whittaker (born Accrington in 1871) known as "Spen", was the manager of Burnley from 1903 to 1910.

His reign as Burnley manager was to come to a tragic end in April 1910. Whittaker was on his way to London by train to register the signing of a new player. When the train stopped in Crewe, it was reported that a man had fallen from a carriage some distance outside the town. When the body was discovered it was found to be that of Whittaker. The fall resulted in the death of the Burnley manager, and a benefit match against Manchester United at Turf Moor was arranged for Whittaker's wife and family.