JOE MERCER

Played in the English club "Everton and Arsenal. "

In England Joe Mercer - the only football player who managed to become the champion of the country before the Second World War, and after it. One fact that is easy to guess that his career was a long and glorious. Indeed: as a current player, a total he spent 21 years. Mercer - one of the most respected and admired players in the history of London′s Arsenal, although the "Arsenal", he played after the war. But come to the aid of the club in the hardest moment for him.

Top with the Mercer team Cheshirs Ket, where he is still a young boy began to play in the attack on the ground left. Quite late in the eighteen years of age, he was noticed by scouts Liverpool "Everton". His first professional contract he signed in 1932.

Photo — «Joe Mercer»

And surprisingly immediately, without any problems, firmly and permanently fit into the core of the club. In the 1938-1939 season, he′s won his first champion title.

This happened a few months before the Second World War. During her regular championship of England did not take place, but the Englishman - and a football player and the viewer - can not be without football. Therefore, were established some local championships: Southern Football League, Football League South Cup, the Military Cup Soccer League, the London Military Cup, the London League. But Liverpool are geographically located north and Everton, in contrast to the same London-based Arsenal, for the entire war has held only a few dozen matches.

However, Arsenal and suffered much more - were killed 9 of the core players, not to mention that the bombing had destroyed the famous stadium "Hayberi.

Photo — «Joe Mercer»

Joe Mercer was one of those players that came the famous command to help restore it again.

Since his arrival to the team in 1946, involves one of the most curious facts in the history of Arsenal. The point is that, by signing a contract, Joe Mercer specifying the sine qua non: he will play for the "gunner," but . . . to continue to live in Liverpool and trained independently. And football authority Mercer was so high that the leadership of the London club agreed to meet this astonishing demand. And so it turned out - Joe came to London only to matches. That was all the more surprising that none other than Mercer, was . . . captain of Arsenal.

In any event, an outstanding football player did their job on the field. He was in no small measure contributed to the fact that Arsenal, created anew, not only alive, but also applied to the most senior level.

Photo — «Joe Mercer»

Already in the 1947-1948 season of the year "gunner" became champions. In 1950, won the Cup in England.

The history of this victory is linked spicy history in the career of Joe Mercer. The point is that in the final of the Cup Arsenal met with anybody else as a "Liverpool". A Liverpudlian Mercer just training . . . in the composition of the team and its stadium Enfild Road. Therefore, the eve of the final leaders′ cannoneer "forbidden him to train together with future opponents, believing that, looking at Mercer, liverpultsy can solve tactical plans" Arsenal. "

Perhaps it is this precaution proved useful, it is Arsenal have a strong, winning 2:0. Joe Mercer received the Cup from the hands of England, His Majesty King George VI. In the same 1950 Mercer was named the best player in England.

Photo — «Joe Mercer»

As captain of Arsenal he again led his club to the champion title in the season of 1952-1953 years, but this season has been remarkable for the latest player. He was already 39 years old.

However, he was going to play one more season, but prevented severe injury - he broke his leg.

Joe Mercer was not only an outstanding football player, but also a very successful coach. He headed the first, "Sheffield United", then Aston Villa. " His first achievement was winning the Cup English Football League. That was in 1961, and then the Cup is played for the first time. Led Mercer Aston Villa defeated in two games "Rotterhem United".

In 1965, Mercer led a "Manchester City", who was then in the second division. After a year of club left in the first division, and in season 1967-1968 won the champion′s title.

Photo — «Joe Mercer»

But it was only the beginning of the triumph. In 1969, "Manchester City won the Cup in England. And in spring 1970, won the Cup of Cup winner, won the final match of Polish "Gurnik" with the score 2:1.

But COACHING destiny, we all know, changeable. In 1972, Joe Mercer headed "Coventry City" as president of the club. At Coventry he worked until 1981, then decided to leave on vacation. He lived his days of fame football player, dobivshegosya outstanding success not only as a player but as a coach. In addition to it, few who could.