Joseph Mercer, (born Aug. 9, 1914, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, Eng.—died Aug. 9, 1990, Manchester), distinguished British soccer (soccer) participant (1931–54) and supervisor.
Mercer overcame spindly legs and unhealthy knees to develop into an impressive left-half with Everton (1931–46), the champions of England’s Football League in 1939. That 12 months he was chosen to play for England, and, whereas within the military, he continued to symbolize his nation in wartime worldwide competitors. After World War II he returned to Everton, however his persistent knee issues prompted the workforce to promote his contract to Arsenal. He altered his aggressive type to play defensive wing-half and led his new workforce to win the league championship twice (1948 and 1953) and the Football Association (FA) Cup in 1950 (they had been runners-up in 1952). He retired after breaking a leg in a recreation in opposition to Liverpool FC.
Mercer managed Sheffield United and Aston Villa earlier than turning into supervisor of Manchester City (1965–72), the place his groups received the League Championship (1968), FA Cup (1969), League Cup (1970), and European Cup-Winners’ Cup (1970). Later he was basic supervisor of Coventry, and in 1974 he served briefly as England’s caretaker supervisor. He was chosen Footballer of the Year in 1950 and was made an Officer of the British Empire in 1976.