MERCER, JOSEPH

born Aug. 9, 1914, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, Eng. died Aug. 9, 1990, Manchester distinguished British association football (soccer) player (193254) who went on to become a successful manager, as well. Mercer overcame spindly legs and bad knees to become an outstanding left-half with Everton (193146), the champions of Britain's Football League in 1939. That year he was selected to play for England, and while in the Army he represented his country in wartime international competition. After World War II he returned to Everton, but his persistent knee problems prompted the team to sell his contract to Arsenal. He altered his aggressive style to play defensive wing-half and led his new team to win the league championship twice (1948, 1953) and the Football Association (FA) Cup in 1950 (they were runners-up in 1952). He retired after breaking a leg in a game against Liverpool. Mercer managed Sheffield United and Aston Villa before becoming manager of Manchester City (196572), where his teams won the European Champions' Cup (1968), FA Cup (1969), League Cup (1970), and European Cup-Winners' Cup (1970). Later he was general manager of Coventry, and he served briefly (1974) as England's caretaker manager. He was chosen footballer of the year in 1950 and was made an Officer of the British Empire in 1976.