George Poyser

George Poyser (6 February 1910 in Mansfield – 30 January 1995) was a English football player and manager.

Poyser played as a defender in the 1930s. Starting at his home town team Mansfield, he was part of the Mansfield team when they were elected to the Football League in 1931.cite web| title =Played for Both| work =| publisher =Brentford FC| url =http://www.brentfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~1087809,00.html| accessdate =2007-10-13 ] He later played for Port Vale, and in 1934 he transferred to Brentford. In his first season at Brentford, the club won the Second Division championship. He played for Brentford for a decade, making more than 150 appearances, though like many players of his era, the Second World War shortened his career, though he represented Brentford in the non-competitive wartime competitions. but when competitive football resumed the 36 year old Poyser made three appearances for Plymouth Argyle, [cite web| title =Plymouth Argyle| work =| publisher =Neil Brown| date =| url =http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/plymouth/plymouth.htm| format =| doi =| accessdate =2007-10-13 ] and then turned to management with Dover. However, his management career gained more recognition at Notts County, whom he managed between 1953 and 1957, reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1955. Former Notts County winger Gordon Wills regards Poyser as the best manager he played for. [cite web| title =Wills, Gordon| work =| publisher =Leicester Mercury| url =http://www.thebluearmy.co.uk/details.asp?key=2A42|0|260608541983|R|608|1727211272004553532230| accessdate =2007-10-13 ]

In 1957 Poyser joined Manchester City as assistant to Les McDowall, with a reputation for being a talented scout. Manchester City were relegated to the Second Division in 1963, and McDowall left the club. On 12 July 1963, Poyser was appointed as his replacement.cite book |last=James |first=Gary |title=Manchester City - The Complete Record |publisher=Breedon |location=Derby |year=2006 |id=ISBN 1-85983-512-0 p247-248 ] In his first season, the club reached the League Cup semi-finals, but were well short of promotion in the league, finishing sixth. His second season proved disappointing, and in January 1965 the club reached a low point with their lowest ever League attendance of 8,015 against Swindon. At Easter Poyser was sacked, and the club finished the season in their then lowest ever position of 11th in the Second Division.

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