John Mortimore (footballer) facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 23 September 1934 | ||
| Place of birth | Farnborough, Hampshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 26 January 2021 (aged 86) | ||
| Playing position | Centre half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| Woking | |||
| 1956–1965 | Chelsea | 249 | (8) |
| 1965–1966 | Queens Park Rangers | 10 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1971–1972 | Ethnikos Piraeus | ||
| 1973–1974 | Portsmouth | ||
| 1976–1979 | Benfica | ||
| 1985–1987 | Benfica | ||
| 1987–1988 | Real Betis | ||
| 1988–1989 | Belenenses | ||
| 1994 | Southampton (joint caretaker) | ||
|
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John Mortimore (born 23 September 1934 – died 26 January 2021) was an English football player and manager. He was known for his strong defending skills. Mortimore played as a centre half for Chelsea for many years. He also played for Queens Park Rangers. After his playing career, he became a successful manager, especially in Portugal.
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Who Was John Mortimore?
John Mortimore was a well-known figure in English football. He started his journey as a player. Later, he became a respected manager. He spent a big part of his career at Chelsea. He also managed several teams, including famous clubs like Benfica.
Playing Days: A Strong Defender
John Mortimore played as a centre half. This position is in the middle of the defence. A centre half's job is to stop the other team from scoring goals. They are often strong and good at tackling.
Mortimore joined Chelsea in 1956. He played 249 league games for them. In total, he played 279 games for Chelsea. He scored 10 goals during his time there. He was a key player for the team.
In 1965, Mortimore helped Chelsea win the Football League Cup. This was a big achievement for him and the club. It showed his importance on the field.
After Chelsea, he moved to Queens Park Rangers. He played 10 games for them in 1965 and 1966. He then retired as a player.
From Player to Manager: Leading Teams
After hanging up his boots, John Mortimore became a football manager. His first managing job was with Ethnikos Piraeus in Greece. This was in 1971.
He then managed Portsmouth in England. This was from 1973 to 1974. He gained more experience leading a team.
Success in Portugal
Mortimore found great success in Portugal. He managed Benfica, one of Portugal's biggest clubs. He led them from 1976 to 1979. During this time, Benfica won the Portuguese league title.
He returned to Benfica for a second time. This was from 1985 to 1987. He helped them win the league again. He also led them to the European Cup final in 1988. This was a huge achievement.
Other Managing Roles
After his second spell at Benfica, he managed Real Betis in Spain. This was in 1987 and 1988. He also managed Belenenses in Portugal.
In 1994, he had a short role at Southampton. He was a joint caretaker manager. This means he temporarily managed the team with someone else.
Later Life
John Mortimore passed away on 26 January 2021. He was 86 years old. He is remembered as a dedicated player and a successful manager. His contributions to football are still valued.
