Tom Bailey

Tom Bailey (23 July 1884 - 22 September 1965) was secretary of Crewe Alexandra Football Club from 1924 to 1952, and was Crewe manager from 1925 to 1938. He managed the side through 578 matches - a total only exceeded by Dario Gradi some 60 years later.

Career Bailey's part-time administrative roles at Crewe Alexandra started during its time in the Birmingham & District League when he served as a steward for some years, while also working in the engineering department at Crewe's railway works.

In 1919 Bailey was appointed assistant secretary to John Bradburn Blomerley at Crewe Alexandra. His first year as assistant secretary was difficult. Football was still recovering from the effects of the First World War and much hard work and organising ability was required to put the club back on its feet. and winning the Welsh Cup twice, in 1936 and 1937. While Bailey was manager, Crewe won 223 out of 578 matches (his 13-year span as Crewe manager remained the longest until surpassed by Dario Gradi in the 1990s). After stepping down as manager in May 1938, Bailey was succeeded by George Lillycrop in August 1938. but remained connected to the club in an advisory capacity. He represented Crewe Alexandra on the Cheshire County League for 21 years and was later appointed Vice President of the League. A First Division manager once said of Bailey: "What he does not know about soccer law and administration is not worth knowing."

Personal life Tom Bailey was born on 23 July 1884 in Crewe, the son of Thomas Bailey, a railway signalman and Elizabeth Bailey. He married Harriet Elizabeth Bailey (1889 - 1975) of Liverpool on 16 September 1911 at All Saints Church, Stoneycroft, Lancashire, and they had four children. He was Chairman of the Crewe Bowling Club.