Product Code Database
Ronald Greenwood (11 November 1921 – 9 February 2006) was an English football player and manager. He managed West Ham United for 13 years, from 1961 to 1974, a time during which the club gained much of its fame. He coached the England national football team from 1977 until 1982, leading them to their first FIFA World Cup qualification in 12 years.
In 1949, Greenwood moved to the club he supported as a boy, Brentford, his £9,500 fee breaking the club's incoming transfer record. He made 147 appearances and scored one goal. (2025). 9780955294914, Yore Publications. ISBN 9780955294914 After three years at Brentford, he returned to Chelsea, where he played 66 times and won a First Division winners' medal in the 1954–55 season under Ted Drake. That summer, he moved to Fulham, where he made another 42 league appearances before retiring at the end of the 1955–56 season. He was never capped for his country, though he did make a single 'B' team appearance, whilst at Brentford, in a 1–0 victory against the Netherlands on 23 March 1952 at the Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam. At the end of his playing career in 1956, Greenwood became an active freemason, attending the Lodge of Proven Fellowship No. 6225, but resigned in 1977.
Greenwood's reign at West Ham brought them sizeable success. He oversaw the development of players such as the 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning trio of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, and under him the Hammers won the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 – the first two major trophies of their history. West Ham's league form under Greenwood was less impressive, usually finishing in the lower half of the First Division table, though they did come sixth in the 1972–73 season. In his final season, West Ham finished 18th, just one point from relegation.
He moved upstairs in 1974, becoming the club's general manager for the next three years, with John Lyall being placed in charge of the first team. In the first season of this arrangement, West Ham won another FA Cup.
After England coach Don Revie's resignation, Greenwood was appointed in caretaker charge, completing England's unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, and eventually becoming full-time manager in December 1977, ending his 16-year association with West Ham United. Under Greenwood, England qualified for UEFA Euro 1980, where they were knocked out in the group stage. England also qualified for the 1982 FIFA World Cup under Greenwood, their first World Cup in twelve years. England came through the tournament unbeaten, but were knocked out in the second group stage after 0–0 draws against West Germany and hosts Spain.
Greenwood retired from football after the 1982 World Cup, with the national coach's job going to Bobby Robson. One major landmark during Greenwood's tenure was the selection of the first black player for England, Viv Anderson, in 1978. Greenwood stated: "Yellow, purple or black – if they're good enough, I'll pick them".
The Town Council of Loughton, where Greenwood lived during his time as West Ham manager, erected a blue plaque to his memory on one of his former houses in the town, 22 Brooklyn Avenue: this was unveiled by Trevor Brooking and the Town Mayor, Chris Pond on 28 October 2008. The Heritage Foundation charity erected a blue plaque in Greenwood's memory at West Ham's Boleyn Ground, which was unveiled by his family on 21 January 2007.
Greenwood was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006, recognising his achievements as a manager in the English game. He is also a member of the FA and LMA Halls of Fame. He was survived by his widow, Lucy. He is buried in the Town Cemetery at Sudbury in Suffolk.
Individual
| + Managerial record by team and tenure | ||
| West Ham United | 1 April 1961 | 16 August 1974 |
| England | 17 August 1977 | 5 July 1982 |
|
|
