Major Frank Buckley (3 October 1882 – 21 December 1964) was one of the first modern managers who established a legendary reputation during his seventeen-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was a tough centre half for Aston Villa, Brighton, Manchester United, Manchester City, Birmingham, Derby County and Bradford City and played for England against Ireland in 1914. He had fought in the Boer War around the turn of the century and later acquired the rank of Major after fighting with the 17th Middlesex Regiment during World War I, where he commanded the 'Footballers' Battalion,' a unit made up of professional players. After the war, Buckley returned to the game. He was appointed as manager at Norwich City who joined the newly formed Third Division (South). However, due to a crisis at the club six directors resigned, many players left and Buckley also quit. He then spent some time as a commercial traveller. On 6 October 1923, the directors of Second Division Blackpool appointed him as their new manager. He stayed at Blackpool for a period of four years during which he played a major role in the development of the club. It was Buckley who dressed the players in tangerine for the first time, instituted a proper youth system, and invested greater resources in Blackpool's scouting network - all initiatives that would serve the club well for decades to come. However, it was at Wolverhampton Wanderers that Frank Buckley really made his name. He joined them in 1927 and developed a youth policy which sowed the seeds of the greatness that Wolves went on to achieve in the 1950's (three championships, three times runners up, twice Cup winners). After 17 years at Molineux, Buckley decided to end what had been described as a contract for life in February 1944, following the retirement of his greatest ally, chairman Ben Matthews. He later managed Notts County, Hull City, Leeds United and Walsall without much success. He is remembered at Leeds United for signing John Charles who would become one of the club’s greatest players.
