Robert Francis Dudgeon Ancell (
16 June 1911 –
5 July 1987) was a
Scottish football player and manager. He played as a
left back and was
capped twice by the
Scottish national side.
Ancell was born in in
Dumfries and his playing career began with local side
Mid Annandale, from where he moved to
St Mirren in 1930. After six years in
Paisley, Ancell was signed by
Newcastle United for the start of the
1936-37 season. Within months of his move south Ancell received international recognition, making his
Scotland debut in a 3-1 victory over
Northern Ireland. He returned north upon the outbreak of
World War II, guesting for numerous teams before permanently joining
Dundee. After 4 years with the
Dark Blues, he played his final campaign with
Aberdeen in
1948-49.
Ancell then turned his hand to management, initially with
Berwick Rangers. The
Borderers were invited to join the Scottish League structure in 1951 and, after he guided them to a successful maiden season in C Division, Ancell was approached by B Division side
Dunfermline Athletic in 1952. Ancell was manager at
East End Park until 1955, helping the
Pars to promotion in his
final season, when they finished runners-up to
Aidrieonians.
Motherwell was Ancell's next port of call in 1955 and he would stay in charge at the
Lanarkshire club for the next 10 years. Although unable to match the trophy-winning exploits of his predecessor
George Stevenson, Ancell crafted a dynamic young side featuring players like
Ian St John,
Charlie Aitken and Willie Hunter, which was dubbed the "Ancell Babes". Continual pressure to sell the side's top performers and the resultant drop in league form led to his resignation in 1965.
After a 3 year spell in charge at
Dundee ended in 1968, he retired from football management. However he remained involved in the game, firstly as a coach then latterly as a scout until his death in 1987.
Del arbol de Jacqui Swan. No lo teniamos de las charlas con Jacqueline Patterson.
En Set. 2009, Lynette descubre esto en Wikipedia.