Years Team Name William Lewis 1906–1907 Chelsea (caretaker) | 1903–1904 Brentford (caretaker) 1900–1903 Brentford | |
William Lewis (September 1860 – 6 May 1916) was an English football referee, director, secretary and manager, active in the early 20th century. He managed Brentford and Chelsea, the latter in the Football League.
Contents
Brentford
Lewis was named secretary-manager of Southern League Division Two side Brentford in 1900, leading them to the title and promotion to the Southern League Division One in the 1900–01 season. The Bees finished second-from-bottom in their first season in Division One, but held onto their status in the league after a relegation playoff with Grays United was called off before going into extra time. Brentford finished bottom of Division One in 1902–03, but once again held onto their place in the league with a 7–2 relegation playoff victory over West London rivals Fulham. He stepped down from the role in May 1903 and was replaced by Richard Molyneux. Lewis covered the manager's position for Molyneux for part of the 1903–04 season, after Molyneux was suspended from football for attempting to buy a goalkeeper out of the army. Lewis remained at Brentford as secretary until 1905. He later returned to the club in an administrative capacity.
Chelsea
Lewis became the first club secretary of Chelsea when it was founded in 1905, with his contacts helping the club gain election to Football League the same year. With the resignation of player-manager John Robertson on 27 November 1906, Lewis became caretaker manager of the club, while retaining his secretarial duties. Lewis led the side to its first promotion in the 1906–07 season, finishing as Second Division runners-up to Nottingham Forest. He left the job in June 1907 and was succeeded by David Calderhead.
Personal life
Lewis was a schoolteacher by profession. He died in May 1916 after a long battle with cancer.
As a manager
Brentford
Chelsea