Billy Minter facts for kids

William James Minter (born April 16, 1888 – died May 21, 1940) was a very important person in the history of Tottenham Hotspur football club. He was a talented footballer, a trainer, and even the manager. Billy Minter scored 101 goals for Tottenham, making him one of their top scorers for a long time. He stayed with the club until he passed away in 1940.

About Billy Minter

Billy Minter was born in Woolwich, London, in 1888. In 1908, he married Elizabeth Eliza Whybrow. He was dedicated to football and spent most of his career with Tottenham Hotspur.

Playing Football

Billy Minter started his football journey as an amateur player at Norwich City. He then played for Woolwich Arsenal for a short time in 1905, mostly in their reserve team. After that, he joined Reading before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in March 1908.

Joining Tottenham Hotspur

Billy Minter scored his first goal for Tottenham in his very first game against Millwall. In 1908, Tottenham Hotspur joined the Football League Second Division. In their first year in the Football League, Minter scored 16 goals. His goals helped the team finish second in the Second Division, which meant they were promoted to the top league, the First Division!

Playing in the Top League

The first year in the First Division was tough for Spurs. But they managed to avoid going back down to the Second Division by winning their last game against Chelsea. Billy Minter scored a goal in that important match. He became the top scorer for Tottenham for several seasons. He helped the club stay in the top league for many years.

Billy Minter played for Tottenham until 1920. He played in 334 games and scored 101 goals for the club. He held the record for the most goals scored for the club until Jimmy Dimmock broke it in 1930.

Serving His Country

In May 1915, during World War I, Billy Minter joined the military. He served as a sergeant and was recognized for his service with the Meritorious Service Medal. He was injured in October 1917. After returning from the war, he became the club captain for a short time. He retired from playing at the end of the 1919–20 season.

Becoming a Trainer

Even after retiring as a player, Billy Minter stayed with Tottenham. In June 1920, he became a trainer for the club, working under manager Peter McWilliam. He even worked as a trainer for the England national team in 1926. He was so dedicated that he even played one more game for Spurs when a player got sick before a match!

Managing the Team

Billy Minter became the manager of Tottenham Hotspur on February 28, 1927. This happened when the previous manager, Peter McWilliam, left to manage Middlesbrough.

A Challenging Season

In his first season as manager (1927–28), Tottenham Hotspur was unfortunately relegated to the Second Division. The season started well, but a series of difficult results caused the team to drop down the league table. It was a very close season, with only a few points separating many teams.

Later Years as Manager

Billy Minter tried to lead the club back to the First Division, but they finished tenth in the 1928–29 season. During the 1929–30 season, on November 20, 1929, he decided to resign as manager. This was due to his health, which was affected by the stress of the job. Percy Smith took over as manager.

Even after stepping down as manager, Billy Minter's loyalty to Tottenham Hotspur remained strong. He took on a role in the club's administrative offices. He continued to work for the club until his death on May 21, 1940.

Achievements

Tottenham Hotspur

• Football League Second Division: 1919–20 (as a player)