The Two Referee System

Sheffield Independent 15.11.34 

 Whereas nowadays we debate the use of video technology to assist referees the concern in the 1930s was that referees could not keep up with the pace of the modern game. At this time Stanley Rous, inspired by continental referees such as John Langenus, introduced the diagonal method. This now universally adopted system maximized collaboration between  the referee and linesmen.

José Laguna

 

José Durand Laguna, known as 'El Negro', was a prolific forward for Huracán. 

He represented Argentina 4 times, scoring 3 goals.

His debut came in unusual circumstances. At the 1916 South American Championship of Nations Laguna went to watch the Argentina vs Brazil game at Gimnasia y Esgrima in Buenos Aires (10.07.16).

Alberto Ohaco was unable to play and Laguna was called from the stand to fill the vacancy. 

He gave Argentina the lead in the 10th minute. The game finished 1-1.

Laguna later moved to Paraguay where he played for Olimpia. He also managed the Paraguay national side at 2 South American Championships and the 1930 World Cup.

Herbert Chapman: Football Revolutionary?

 Mr Chapman with Arsenal players on the golf course in 1929. L-R: Unknown, Tom Parker, Alex James, David Jack, Herbert Chapman. David Jack with a cigarette , Alex James with plus fours that are about the same length as his football shorts.

Herbert Chapman was undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the development of Association football. Here is a link to a paper by Tony Say of the University of Warwick entitled
Herbert Chapman: Football Revolutionary? It's a good read.
http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportsHistorian/1996/sh16h.pdf

Some of Chapman's most notable tactical innovations are given some historical context- maybe not so much revolution as evolution.

Situation Vacant

Arsenal Football Club is open to receive applications for the position of Team Manager. He must be experienced and possess the highest qualifications for the post, both as to the ability and personal character. Gentlemen whose sole ability to build up a good side depends on the payment of heavy and exorbitant transfer fees need not apply.

Athletic News  11.05.25 

Augusto Rangone

When we think of Italian managers in the pre war era the name of Vittorio Pozzo will, of course, forever dominate, leading the Azzuri on 95 occasions including 2 World Cup wins.
In the majority of other matches in this era the team was run by a group of coaches referred to as the Technical Committee. They were also overseen by Augusto Rangone for 24 matches, of which they won 12.
The Alessandria manager first contributed to the national scene in 1922 -24 as part of the Technical Committee (along with Umberto Meazza and Augusto Galletti, with Silva and Agostini also contributing for the game on 20.01.24).

03.12.22	Italy	2	2	Switzerland
01.01.23	Italy	3	1	Germany
04.03.23	Italy	0	0	Hungary
15.04.23	Austria	0	0	Italy
27.05.23	Czechoslovakia	5	1	Italy
20.01.24	Italy	0	4	Austria

This lack of success prompted the appointment of Pozzo as national coach, a position he held for 5 games, including the 1924 Olympic tournament.
In November 1924 the Technical Committee approach was given another try. This time Rangone, Milano and  Baccani formed the triumvirate.

16.11.24	Italy	2	2	Sweden
23.11.24	Germany	0	1	Italy
19.01.25	Italy	1	2	Hungary
22.03.25	Italy	7	0	France
14.06.25	Spain	1	0	Italy
18.06.25	Portugal	1	0	Italy

In November 1925 Rangone alone was entrusted with the running of the national side. Rangone contributed to the nations first 2 international honours- he oversaw the  first 50% of Italy's victorious Coupe Internationale européenne campaign of 1927-30 and led them to a Bronze medal at the 1928 Olympics.

04.11.25	Italy	2	1	Yugoslavia
08.11.25	Hungary	1	1	Italy
17.01.26	Italy	3	1	Czechoslovakia
21.03.26	Italy	3	0	Irish Free State
18.04.26	Switzerland	1	1	Italy
09.05.26	Italy	3	2	Switzerland
18.07.26	Sweden	5	3	Italy
28.10.26	Czechoslovakia	3	1	Italy
30.01.27	Switzerland	1	5	Italy
20.02.27	Italy	2	2	Czechoslovakia
17.04.27	Italy	3	1	Portugal
24.04.27	France	3	3	Italy
29.05.27	Italy	2	0	Spain
23.10.27	Czechoslovakia	2	2	Italy*
06.11.27	Italy	0	1	Austria*
01.01.28	Italy	3	2	Switzerland*
25.03.28	Italy	4	3	Hungary*
15.04.28	Portugal	4	1	Italy
22.04.28	Spain	1	1	Italy
29.05.28	France	3	4	Italy **
01.06.28	Italy	1	1	Spain **
04.06.28	Italy	7	1	Spain **
07.06.28	Italy	2	3	Uruguay **
09.06.28	Italy	11	3	Egypt **

*Coupe Internationale européenne
** Olympic Games 

As part of Technical Committee:

P	W	D	L	F	A
12	3	4	5	17	18

As sole coach/manager:

P	W	D	L	F	A
24	12	7	5	68	44

Billy Hunter

Scottish outside left Billy Hunter played 150 games for Southern League Millwall Athletic before joining Bolton Wanderers in 1908. Hunter made 55 first team appearances for Bolton over the next 4 seasons.
In 1912 Hunter became manager of Football Club Dordrecht in the Netherlands, and ran the Dutch national side for 4 matches:

15.03.14	Belgium	2	4	Netherlands	Beerschot A.C. Stadion, Antwerp
05.04.14	Netherlands	4	4	Germany	Het Oude Stadion, Amsterdam
26.04.14	Netherlands	4	2	Belgium	Het Oude Stadion, Amsterdam
17.05.14	Denmark	4	3	Netherlands	Copenhagen

P	W	D	L	F	A
4	2	1	1	15	12

He interrupted his career in 1914 to enlist in the British Army.
After the war Hunter coached Lausanne in Switzerland and was involved with  Hakoah Wien in 1923 when they famously beat West Ham United at The Boleyn Ground .
In 1924 Hunter became manager of SK Galatasaray in Istanbul. He managed the Turkish national side in their Olympic debut in 1924. In all he was in charge of the Turkish side for 12 matches:

25.05.24	Czechoslovakia	5	2	Turkey	Stade de Bergeyre, Paris
17.06.24	Finland	2	4	Turkey	Helsinki
19.06.24	Estonia	1	4	Turkey	Tallin
22.06.24	Latvia	1	3	Turkey	Riga
29.06.24	Poland	2	0	Turkey	Łódź
16.11.24	Soviet Union	3	0	Turkey	Moscow
10.04.25	Turkey	2	1	Bulgaria	Istanbul
01.05.25	Romania	1	2	Turkey	Bucharest
15.05.25	Turkey	1	2	Soviet Union	Ankara
02.10.25	Turkey	1	2	Poland	Istanbul
07.05.26	Turkey	1	3	Romania	Istanbul
12.09.26	Poland	6	1	Turkey	Lviv

P	W	D	L	F	A
12	5	0	7	21	29