Phil Kelso
Scottish football manager (1871–1935)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phil Wade Kelso (26 May 1871 – 13 February 1935) was a Scottish football manager.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Philip Wade Kelso | ||
| Date of birth | 26 May 1871 | ||
| Place of birth | Largs, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 13 February 1935 (aged 63) | ||
| Place of death | London, England | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 1903–1904 | Hibernian | ||
| 1904–1908 | Woolwich Arsenal | ||
| 1909–1924 | Fulham | ||
Career
Kelso was born in Largs on the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. He was manager of Hibernian for one season,[1] before taking over as manager of Woolwich Arsenal shortly before their promotion in 1904.[2] He managed the club for four years, during which time he took the side to the FA Cup semi-finals two seasons in a row; however, his best in the league was seventh (in 1906-07).[3]
With the club starting to run into financial trouble and with results declining, Kelso resigned in 1908 to return to Scotland to manage a hotel;[4] but was tempted back down south to become manager of Fulham in 1909. He stayed with the Cottagers for 15 years, making him their longest-serving manager.[5]
Personal life
Kelso worked at the Royal Arsenal during the First World War.[6] After retiring from football he managed pubs in the Hammersmith area and was chairman of the Football League Managers and Secretaries Association.[5] Kelso died in London, in 1935, aged 63. He is buried in East Sheen.[5]