Historical Notts County Managers: William Eric Houghton

William Eric Houghton, (Eric) born 29/06/10 was an English footballer, Manager, & Cricketer.

Football Career.

Houghton signed for Aston Villa in 1927 as a seventeen-year-old & played in the Villa side until 1946, scoring 170 goals in 392 games (The total including wartime matches was over 200 goals.) He also won 7 caps for England. 

Houghton scored 30 goals in the 1930-31 season for Villa, in which Villa scored 128 league goals, a First Division record.

Houghton transferred to Notts County in 1946 & over a three year period, he scored 10 goals in 55 games for Notts.

Managerial Career

In 1949, Houghton became Manager of Notts County & Eric is regarded as being the Manager of Notts who guided them through their first golden age, with players in the side including Tommy Lawton, & Jackie Sewell, who helped their side win the Third Division South Title in Eric's first season as Manager, in front of record attendances. Eric remained Notts County Manager until 1953.

In 1953 Eric Moved to Aston Villa as their Manager, guiding Villa to a FA Cup triumph in 1957. He left Villa in 2958. He later returned to Villa as a director.

Cricket Career.

Houghton played seven first-class matches as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm bowler for Warwickshire County Cricket Club (1946–1947) and also minor counties cricket for Lincolnshire County Cricket Club. He also played club cricket for Sleaford, Aston Unity and Olton Cricket Clubs.

Houghton died in Sutton Coldfield on 1 May 1996, aged 85. (Source Google)

Legacy.

William Eric Haughton will be remembered at Notts County as Managing & guiding a great side that won the Third Division South Title. Eric is a Notts Managerial great and legend.