I am in the act of writing a book on the Villa that has called upon a great deal of newspaper research on-line, and the downloading of many articles in their pristine state, requiring scanning and processing through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, and subsequent correction. Many of these articles will not be included ‘verbatim’ in my book, but I thought it may be worthwhile to publish some of them on Aston Villa Life as an insight into the thinking back then – of 100 years ago and more. I am, therefore, intending to publish such an article every week through the summer.

These articles are published ‘as is’ with only a small attempt on my part at being helpful by the insertion of a comment or two.

Doubtless, the reader will find some of the language quite archaic, but I nevertheless hope that you persevere through the article and extract a good idea from it and grasp how evolutionary all the thinking was in those days. And also how much thought was expended on how to improve the game.

The following (and first) such article is by John Devey, who was the great Villa captain over the period of 1893-1900 when Villa won seven major trophies in seven seasons, including ‘the Double’. This article was written in 1902, just after he retired from playing, and not long before he became a director on the Villa board, where he had a significant  role for about 32 years. John Devey joined the Villa in 1891 (aged 23) and was the first chairman of the PFA (the players’ federation) for a short period in around 1900.

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All rights reserved: No copying nor distribution without the consent of John Lerwill.

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THE ART OF CAPTAINCY

BY JOHN DEVEY

There are few more perplexing problems in foot­ball than the endeavour to define what a captain’s art consists of. Every skipper has his own notion of what his obligations are, and how they should be carried out; the men who play under him have also got preconceived ideas on the subject; and the committee of management, surveying the questions from an entirely different attitude, form quite a different opinion as to the functions of the skipper. Then again, the spectator, who is nothing if he is not dogmatic, knows perfectly well how to manage men and matters with such an easy conscience, that why anyone should make it a serious study is difficult to understand. The real province of the football captain is not such an unconsidered trifle, however, if success on the football field is to be secured, and it is to be regretted that clubs who are prepared to spend unlimited sums in the acquiring of men should be so indifferent to the circumstances which go so far to ensure loyalty and enthusiastic cooperation..

Singularly enough, this shortcoming is very general. The general impression is—of course there are notable exceptions—but the general impression is that almost any member of a team is a good enough  leader if the committee think so. No greater fallacy was ever propounded. In the early days of the game the choice of captain was due either to seniority, ability. or geniality. Often the selection was due to all three, and no happier combination could be imagined. The advent of professionalism [in 1885] altered all this, and the result is that instead of the average football captain being a real factor in the control of a team, he is largely a player with an official title and no more. The majority of professional footballers would endorse this, and probably regret it at the same time, because it is not calculated to produce that enthusiasm which when fully roused goes far to carry an eleven on to victory almost in spite of itself. There will be a reaction some day, but it cannot be. disguised that the present day captain is not playing his part.

“Then why doesn’t he?” someone asks. The answer is not far to seek. In the first place the process of selection is wrong, and having committed an initial blunder the directors supplement it by making the captain something inferior to the trainer, and hence it happens that divided authority ends in disaster. To remedy this is not an inseparable difficulty. Let the management quietly ascertain what the wishes of the players are in regard to the question of selection [of the captain], and if there is any substantial pre­ference for one man, then appoint him. But above all let it be distinctly understood that henceforth the captain, in the judicious exercise of his power, both on and off the field, has the backing of his committee. If this were done, then the skipper would be fully entitled to be “hail fellow, well met” with every member of the team, enjoy their confidences, help to remove grievances, participate in their pleasures. and know full well that in the event of any reprimand being necessary, the directors would give it official support. Without such conditions it requires almost superhuman effort to manage men who are essentially human and not free from petty jealousy. Where this creeps in there is an end to harmony, and the only way to combat the intrusion is by a course of conduct calculated to win the confidence of the players as a whole.

Another fruitful source of trouble is the player who has climbed the ladder of fame rapidly through his association with more experienced footballers. He fills a gap with infinite credit to himself and the team but he is too frequently carried away by the glamour of an early success. He is made a fuss of by the people, gets unlimited commendation from all his friends, and unless he is able to resist the temptation to become vain, he henceforth is intractable. Such cases can be counted by the score, and the effect has often been lamentable for the player and the team with which he is associated. Had the captain power to wheedle and coerce, as the case may be, a man from such folly, there would be a far better chance of getting first-class combination than most clubs boast today. In the absence of such authority the player develops into a ‘gallery player’, and while he may be pretty he is not effective and he suffers as a consequence. [Note: this comment seems to relate to Bobby Templeton, a player of the time who possessed huge individual skills, but failed as a team-player] In such an eventuality the captain should be the intermediary between the management and the player. An injunction to observe the best conditions likely to lead to success, when properly conveyed, should carry with it the whole weight of the management and deliberate disregard of advice should be dealt with as a serious matter. Had closer attention been paid in the past to this aspect of the role of captain there would have been less friction between the players and the directorate. The best advice that can be given to management committees is to pay more heed to the value of a suitable captain. He need not necessarily be the best player available, but if he has tact, and has a capacity for handling men, give him a trial, and in nine cases out of ten the team will probably improve.

The trier is the man you want in football. He may not be able to shine, but if he is seriously interested in his work, is always trying to make the most of opportunities, and has a head on his soldiers, he will accomplish more real good than the most brilliant star who has no capacity beyond his own individuality. A moderate footballer with nous will, as captain, get 50 per cent more out of his men than the dazzling individual who is devoid of generalship. By the exercise of discretion, the captain may train his men to promptly interpret every word he may utter or every action he may go through in the form of signalling. When danger threatens a motion of the arm may send back both inside-forwards to strengthen the half-back line and the casual onlooker marvels at the manoeuvre. It is the science of the game, and a captain who has studied football from its offensive and its defensive bearings is able to take advantage which the moment may suggest.

It is not essential that all the instruction should come from the captain; indeed it is better that the men, following the advice of their skipper, should institute a system whereby an exchange of thoughts can be readily understood. Secret signalling in this sense is invaluable, and it has seldom been carried into effect with more striking result than in the case of the famous Preston North End eleven which carried the country by storm in consequence of the unison with which they worked.

Another important function which devolves upon the captain is the correction of any misapprehension which may exist as the outcome of injudicious criticism from the crowd. The tendency of spectators is to judge a player by exactly what catches the eye, and so it often happens that the two outside half-backs frequently appear to be fooled by the opposing forwards, while the centre-half [in those days a player who was not merely a defender, in fact] always seems to be doing the right thing. Under these circumstances, the spectators are apt to ‘ boo’ the outside halves and lavish their applause upon the centre: but, as a matter of fact, the centre man occupies the showiest position on the field, while the men on has right and left have, perhaps, the most difficult task the game produces. A captain who knows what’s what should lay himself out to correct disparagement front the onlookers by offering personal encouragement to the players concerned.

Tact in dealing with the men, indeed, cannot be over-estimated. Many players who have gained distinction in the football world have made their best efforts while being spurred on by words of praise from their c. There are, of course, footballers—naturally sulky—who require different treatment, and it is in this direction that the hands of the captain most need strengthening. If insubordination is persisted in, the matter should be relegated to the consideration of the directors, with the knowledge unless his manners [are] mended the delinquent will be severely punished. As I have already said, much friction would be done away with if this policy were pursued. Great regard for individual men is natural, but one man does not make a team and when, after doing a sensational performance, a footballer begins to argue to himself that he is henceforth entitled to kick over the traces as much as he likes, the sooner his mind is brought back to a state of balance the better. Public flattery, of course, has much to do with the turning of players’ heads and an incident occurs to me where a well-known forward had been led to believe that in an important match a great injustice had been done to him because an instruction had been given that the halves should always put the ball across to his wing, upon which was playing the stronger of the two backs in the service of the opposition team. True, the aggrieved player did not score, but neither he nor the bulk of the spectators realised that he was persistently drawing out from goal one of the best backs in the kingdom, and so allowing better scope for the other wing-man against an inferior back. Goals followed as a result of this stratagem and the captain’s judgment was justified, while the once unhappy player, when the ruse was explained, was exuberantly cheerful.

Another popular error is as to the real meaning of the word ‘dash’. To bundle into another player neck and crop or to wait and conduct yourself in much a way as to enable another man to crash into you is not dash: such play invariably means the maximum of risk with the minimum of effect. The secret of dash is to get away as quickly as you can yourself and pass quickly to a colleague the moment he is in a better position than yourself. Keep in mind that the quicker you run to get to goal, and the fewer the passes from foot to foot, the better the chance of success.

 

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John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.

Comments 39

  2. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Well, at least it deflects away from the ‘Out Of Africa’ idea – even though they’ve still not got it right! (In my view, of course!).

    As stated on my website, I firmly believe in the Lemuria/Mu explanation for the origin of true mankind. Churchward i.m.o. was a man of honesty and I rather believe his accounts of what happened. Whether what he said will ever be proved is another thing, but there are some amazing between cultures around the world that point to a single place of origin.

    That’s not to say that hominids didn’t exist world-over since very ancient times, but I am talking about true humanity – the walking rational type – such as those that support Aston Villa! Or at least most of ’em!

  3. Trinity

    Evening/Good morning fellow primates.
    “Keep in mind that the quicker you run to get to goal, and the fewer the passes from foot to foot, the better the chance of success.”
    That statement should be hanginging up in Villa’s changing rooms.
    Thanks, JL for posting John Devey’s article. I knew John Devey was a Villa legend. I have a South African friend who’s family name is De Villiers. After some research, he found that the name is really Devey and his ancestors were from Warwickshire.
    It seems to me not a lot has changed. The vanity thing after quick fame, public flattery and money still holds true. Every player at Villa should read Captain Devey’s article (if they can read).
    “The trier is the man you want in football. He may not be able to shine, but if he is seriously interested in his work, is always trying to make the most of opportunities, and has a head on his soldiers, he will accomplish more real good than the most brilliant star who has no capacity beyond his own individuality.” IanG pretty much said the same last week.
    What Devey is talking about is universal and is still just as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. The modern Villa can still learn a thing or two from Villa’s classic teams. Cheers.

  4. Trinity

    “I would be hesitant about using a single character from an isolated fossil to set against the evidence from Africa.”
    Dr Andrews’ words sound wise, but he says it is possible…

  5. John Lerwill

    Iana – on the Devey name…

    John Devey’s Birmingham family were all footballers – at least two uncles (one, Harry, was also a big player for Villa) and JD’s brothers, one of whom (Will) also played a bit for Villa. The others played for Small Heath, Albion and Wolves.

  7. DarrenO

    Did a quick check on the Devey family tree as Devey is an Anglicised version of O’Dubhuidhe. Just wondering if he could have togged out for the boys in green 🙂

    The Irish connection must go back many centuries because John’s father William as born in Sheffield in 1846 and his father again John was born in Birmingham in 1808.

  8. Trinity

    Darren
    There you go. Maybe we all originated in Ireland. Even my family name was Anglicised from an Irish name.
    Never been to the emerald isle. Remember looking across from Iona once, could see Ireland.

  13. Canadian Villan

    Great lead JL on great captains. You had mentioned a couple on the previous post, maybe prepping us this follow up. Trevor Hockey i remember coming from across town from the stye. Also one worth a mention for me was Brian Godfrey, i remember with fondness a cup match against Man U, when Ian Ure had been kicking the holey crap out of our guys, and when all eyes were at the other end of the pitch he jumped ( he was height restricted to put it politically correct ) so he could pop Ure one on the nose, funnily enough Ure behaved for the rest of that match and the next time we met. There don’t seem to be as many characters in the modern game, and those that stand out tend to either get an undeserved reputation, or like Barton take everything too far. There is a big difference in dirty brutal play and subtle ankle taps and such like we had in the past. Not sure out of this current batch i would have as my captain, i guess as we stand right now i would have to stick with Chester, at least he’s an almost ever present, not lying on the trainers bench drawing an embarrassingly large salary. Would be great though if we could find the next Keane.

  14. John Lerwill

    Canada,

    Alas, there have not been articles of any substance written by Villa captains since the time of Billy Walker. As this is a series of articles by leading personalities at the Villa up to WW2, there won’t be anything from those in living memory, sad to say.

  16. Mark King

    As much as a great captain would be bonus at Villa I cannot see it having the impact of yesteryear. The rewards, rule changes, TV and reffing have all changed the game not to mention the molly coddled society we have become. I very much doubt that the top players of yesteryear had a section of the pub cordoned off for them when they went out. I would much prefer that the captain led by example and that man is unfortunately Jedinak.

    Can anyone name Chelsea’s captain? liverpools? Leicesters? me neither, In the modern game the coaching and tactics are far more important than one man.

  18. John Lerwill

    Mark: “In the modern game the coaching and tactics are far more important than one man.”

    I’d not put it quite like that, but I would agree that the captain is part of the system and cannot work on his own.

    How many times these last couple of years (in particular) have we cried out for someone on the pitch who can show a captain’s lead? The captain is still an important element i.m.o., but as a cog in the whole setup. If it’s Jedinak, then so be it, but I think that Chester offers a more quiet example – of the Bobby Moore variety … or I should say Alan Deakin!

    There are elements of the game that Devey refers to that are still fundamental and will not change. The modern player often seems to be needed to be reminded, indicating that today’s coaching system isn’t quite what it should be.

  19. Mark King

    JL- We need more than one man to lead, one is not enough, in recent years and I am talking the last 10 captains are no longer the force on the pitch they once were, before that there were plenty worthy of mention, the likes of Gerrard at Liverpool are gone now, they may still have a function but they are not the driving force that they once were in my eyes.

  20. Mark King

    Maybe it is just that the players look to the bench for tactics these days? I have seen a phenomenon across the board where players no longer seem to have a go at each other for cock ups, generally the whole team walks away heads down which is worse in my eyes.

  21. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    I’m not saying that more players are not needed to be leaders – if you can get ’em, then that would be good.

    But perhaps the role of *team* captain needs to be raised a notch or two and an appropriate player groomed for that function. In fact I think Chester does quite a good job and I actually don’t see much difference between his captaincy and Mortimer’s – except that Mortimer was seen to be doing the damage further forward and in a successful team and that attracts more interest.

    Laursen has been probably the most dynamic skipper in the past decade.

  22. Mark King

    JL- while I don’t think Chester is a bad captain in modern terms I rarely see him doing much captaining , Jedinak seems to take that role when on the field of organising while trying to be everywhere. Its difficult to find those type of players, Elphick has a good character but no on field presence, RMC was seen to be trying to orchestrate the front line until he gave up as Kodjiah Ayew and Adomah took no notice, he just looked frustrated. Jednak has been the only one to carry his crystal palace and international presence to Villa, the others were brought in to have captains in each area of the pitch, I didn’t work, it has to be on merit at the club your at I think, 2 out of the 3 captains we bought failed.

  23. Trinity

    Mark-” I have seen a phenomenon across the board where players no longer seem to have a go at each other for c**k ups, generally the whole team walks away heads down which is worse in my eyes.”
    Maybe it’s something to do with political correctness. Do you think freedom of speech in Britain is a thing of the past?

  24. Mark King

    Iana- never thought of it that way and yes it definitely is a thing of the past, just as likely to be an unwritten pact not to criticise one another though since they get so much stick in papers etc

  26. James Gill

    hard to think that ajax wage bill is below 20m a year,gaby richards pick up nearly 6m between them,transfer fees for team also under 20m about the price of tisc and rmc

  28. IanG

    Mk
    Absolutely, & if the new season doesn’t show a ‘marked’ improvement then the finger will point at the coaching & of course you know who.
    JG in defence of UK football, the level, pressure & workload is a lot different here, but Ajax have done remarkably well bringing their own players through, & are renowned for it.
    I hope the young ones don’t plateau, but the coming 2-3 seasons will show how good the team will be.
    At least they play them

  33. Trinity

    Crusaders play Rebels in 1o minutes. Sounds like if the Crusaders were a rugby team in England, they’d have to change their club name because some would be offended.

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