Freddie Steele

Frederick Charles Steele (6 May 1916 – 23 April 1976) was an English professional footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and England. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title. He remains a significant figure in the histories of both Stoke and Vale. His nephew is former England cricketer David Steele.

Club career

Stoke City Freddie Steele was signed for Stoke City in 1931, aged 15, by manager Tom Mather. He carried out work in the club's offices until he was old enough to turn professional. He scored his first goal for the club four days later, in a 3–0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Victoria Ground. His tally included five goals in a 10–3 victory over West Brom on 4 February, a club record victory.

He returned to the Potteries in 1945–46, scoring 49 goals in 43 games during the season. It his first coaching appointment with a senior side. However, he had previously coached in the youth teams at Stoke City. Under his guidance, the team won three, drew one and lost one of their five matches to finish as runners-up behind Fram. Steele was subsequently selected to manage the Iceland national team in its first international match against Denmark on 17 July 1946. Scottish coach Murdo McDougall, who had first moved to Iceland as Valur manager in 1937, was named as his assistant. Steele included several of his players from KR in the Iceland team, including Birgir Guðjónsson and Jón Örn Jónasson, but could not prevent the side losing 3–0 before a crowd of 8,000 spectators at the Melavöllur. Upon leaving Iceland on 17 August 1946, to return to England in time for the start of Stoke City's season, he spoke of how he had enjoyed his time in Iceland. He stated his desire to return the following summer, although the move never materialised.

Mansfield Town Steele assumed a player-manager role at Mansfield Town in 1949. He was prolific in front of goal, scoring 44 goals in 62 league and cup appearances – this scoring record made his job as manager much easier. The "Stags" finished eighth in the Third Division North in 1949–50. They then went on a 23-game unbeaten run, but could only end up finishing as the division's runners-up in 1950–51, seven points behind champions Rotherham United. Steele signed players such as defender Don Bradley, and wing-half's Oscar Fox and Sid Watson. Steele left Field Mill for Port Vale for a four-figure fee in December 1951, and Mansfield finished the 1951–52 season in sixth place under his successor George Jobey.

Port Vale Replacing the unpopular Ivor Powell in December 1951, Steele was a popular choice as the new player-manager. His team were bottom of the Third Division South table, However, he did not make any new signings, and he sold striker Walter Aveyard to Accrington Stanley for a four-figure fee. Steele turned around results using the players at his disposal, and Vale lost just four of their last twenty games of the season to finish a comfortable 13th.

Vale were moved to the Third Division North in 1952–53. Steele kept the playing squad as it was, deeming the players he inherited to have the potential to achieve promotion. However, they finished in second-place, one point behind Oldham Athletic, and so were not promoted. He sold Bert Llewellyn to Northampton Town for £7,000 and Arthur Longbottom to Millwall for £2,000; before boosting his strike-force with Tony Richards from Walsall for £9,000. He scored eight goals for his country in total, However, a knee injury sustained in 1937 meant that he did not play for his country again.

Style of play Steele was noted for his brilliant heading ability. He had a strong physique and was able to battle with defenders willing to get physical with him. He could play with both feet and had a good turn of pace.

Management style Roy Sproson later said that "he [Steele] was a great psychologist. He was also a tremendous tactician and, looking back, was years ahead of his time." Tactically, he brought his wingers back to play four across the midfield and had one side of his team as quick powerful tacklers and the other side as neat and skilful. He emphasised teamwork and fitness.

Sproson described Steele as a very tense individual who "would disappear for the last five minutes and was to be found hiding in the toilet." In appearance Steele "used to wear a tweed trilby, a pair of black and white hooped football stockings with his suit and let his hair grow long!"

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1934–35 First Division

1935–36 First Division

1936–37 First Division

1937–38 First Division

1938–39 First Division

1945–46

1946–47 First Division

1947–48 First Division

1948–49 First Division

224!!140!!27!!19!!251!!159

1949–50 Third Division North

1950–51 Third Division North

1951–52 Third Division North

53!!39!!9!!5!!62!!44

1951–52 Third Division South

1952–53 Third Division North

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302!!191!!36!!24!!338!!215

International

Managerial statistics

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England British Home Championship: 1936–37