Sheffield United vs Burnley

UTB 51
▲ In the dugout for Oxford (second left) in 1973
Oxford to consecutive
mid-table finishes between
1969-70 and 1974-75.
However, his team’s poor
start to the 1975-76 season,
when they lost six of their
first nine league games,
saw him dismissed in
September 1975.
Gerry soon found himself
back in management with
Third Division (now League
One) Gillingham. He was
appointed in October
1975, and he almost
succeeded in guiding the
Gills to promotion twice, in
1977-78 and 1978-79. His
final season at Priestfield,
1980-81, was a struggle. He
managed to guide his team
to safety with a late eight
game unbeaten run. The
Gills finished 15th two points
above the Blades who were
relegated to the fourth tier.
Although Gerry had done
well to rescue Gillingham’s
season, the club sought a
new direction, and he was
sacked in May 1981. There
were rumours of him being
considered for the Blades
job as they contemplated
life in the Fourth Division
for the first time. However,
United went on to appoint
Ian Porterfield.
After doing some
scouting work for
Southampton, Gerry again
linked up with Ronnie Allen,
this time at their old club
West Bromwich Albion in
October 1981. Gerry was
chief coach and assistant
manager whilst Allen was
manager.
Another assistant
manager’s role followed
at Leicester City between
1982 and 1986 before his
managerial career ended
with a spell as Derby
County youth development
coach from 1986 into the
1990s.
Gerry enjoyed a solid
managerial career but had
not won any promotions
or cups. His knowledge
and skill as a coach was
recognised by a number
of clubs and he did also
enjoy a spell as an FA staff
coach.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs BURNLEY