Joe Mercer was born on 9th May 1914 in Ellesmere Port and became a football legend. After a short time at Ellesmere Port Town, Joe Mercer started off his league career at Everton in 1932. This was the great 1930s side which included Dixie Dean but their success was interupted by the start of the war in 1939. At the end of the hostilities Joe was transferred to Arsenal FC in 1946. He was a great captain of both clubs as well as England in a distinguished career. Tragically this ended after he suffered a broken leg on 10th April 1954.

Joe went on to manage Sheffield United and Aston Villa before achieving great success with the Manchester City side of the late 1960s.

During the mid 1970s he also had a spell as temporary England manager. Sadly he died on his seventy sixth birthday on 9th May 1990 in Manchester.

Roy Anelay & Shaun Sutton (Year 9 Dec 2004)