The Longside Reference

Burnley Manager form Oct 1948 till Aug 1954 

Name: Frank Robert Hill

Born: Forfar, 21st May 1906

Died: June 1970 (aged 64)

Frank Hill gained the nickname "Tiger" for his tigerish tackling while at Aberdeen, it would be  Pittodrie  where he started out on a career what made him one of the most decorated Managers to take the hot seat at Turf Moor.

He left Aberdeen under a "unproven" cloud, when a betting scandal incured!  several players were said to be involved, but although it was never proved none played for Aberdeen's manager Paddy Travers or Aberdeen  again.

The great Herbert Chapman saw something in Hill and signed him for £3000 to compete in the Arsenal side that were to be runners up in both the league and the FA Cup in 1931/32.

Frank Hill made his debut for the Arsenal in 1932/33 and played his part in three consecutive first division titles, as well being a winner in the Charity Shield in 1933/34. Hill's final season in 1935/36, he would be left out of the Arsenal team which contested the final of the FA cup (and won).

Hill subsequently handed in a transfer request and was duly sold! to Blackpool where he would gain promotion to the first division finishing runner up. At the end of that season he would move on again this time Southampton for a fee of £2000.

As the 2nd World War was almost upon us Frank left Southampton to take up a coaching role at Preston North End, Frank would be unable to play due to the fact the Southampton Directors unhappy with the player, refused to release his registration.

During the Second World War, Frank hill would represent the Royal Air Force in India (incidentely that is where Harry Potts was stationed?)

In 1944 and at the end of the War Frank became Player Manager at Crewe Alexandra, he continued to play until he was 42.

He was given the job at Turf Moor in October 1948 replacing Cliff Britton, Frank first job was to replace the cornerstone of the "Iron Curtain" defence as Alan Brown had moved on to Notts County.

Frank Hill was a great success at Turf Moor, not only keeping Burnley in the first division but finishing each of his five full seasons in the top half, and it would be Frank Hill who oversaw the signing of Burnley Great Jimmy McIlroy.

On the eve of the 1954/55 season, Frank hill would tender his resignation, he accepted an invitation to go back to Deepdale and Preston North End, staying for just two years before accepting a job offer in Iraq.

Hill returned to England in 1958 taking over at Notts County from former Claret and England ace Tommy Lawton, he won County promotion in 1959/60, but left to join Charlton before the following season had barely begun.

Manchester City is where hill found himself later in life, after his retirement in 1965 Hill worked as a scout for the Maine Road team, until his death in 1970 aged 64