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Spen Whittaker

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Spen Whittaker
Personal information
Date of birth February 1871
Place of birth Oswaldtwistle, England
Date of death 16 April 1910 (aged 39)
Place of death Crewe, England
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Oswaldtwistle Rovers
Managerial career
1903–1910 Burnley
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Spencer Whittaker (February 1871 – 16 April 1910) was an English footballer, manager and secretary.

Playing career

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Whittaker played for hometown club Oswaldtwistle Rovers, before retiring from playing, taking up the chairman and secretary role at the club.[1]

Managerial career

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Whittaker was appointed manager of Burnley in 1903. 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.[1]

Personal life

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Whittaker's brother, Nat, was a professional footballer, manager, secretary and referee, refereeing the 1907 FA Cup Final.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The tragic Mr. Whittaker – the Burnley boss who came to a mysterious end". Football Pink. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Managers". Croydon Common F.C. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
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