Bert Tann (4 May 1914 – 12 May 1972) was a
football manager and player, who managed
Bristol Rovers for 18 years, from 1950 to 1968. He was the longest-serving
post-war manager of Rovers, and the second longest overall behind
Alfred Homer.
Playing career
During his playing career in the 1930s he was primarily a
wing-half, and after brief spells with
Clapton Orient and
Romford he joined
Charlton Athletic. He first played a league game for Charlton in the
1933–34 season, and went on to play in 19 league games for them until
1938–39. During
World War II, he guested for
Southampton, making 36 appearances.
Coaching career
In 1947 he became coach of
Fredrikstad in
Norway. He led them to the 1946/47
Ostfoldserien championship.
In 1950 he became manager of Bristol Rovers, and with Tann in charge, Rovers were promoted to the
Football League Second Division for the first time in
1952-53, and he led them to 6th place finishes in both
1955-56 and
1958-59, as well to the quarter-finals of the
FA Cup in
1950-51 and
1957-58.
References
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