Hewison Bob Image 2 Northampton Town 1920

Description

Born in Backworth, Northumberland, right half Bob Hewison began his playing career with north east junior sides East Holywell Villa in 1906 and Whitley Athletic in 1907 before joining Newcastle United in July 1908, making his Football League debut against Notts County in October 1910, although it took another two years before he got a regular berth in the team. After 67 appearances for Newcastle before the First World War forced the suspension of peacetime football in 1915, by when he had joined Leeds City in 1915, but due to the First World War and their expulsion from the Football League he never appeared in an official League match for the club. After suffering a leg break against Rotherham County in October 1918, Hewison was asked to serve as City’s secretary during their winding up after payment irregularities in the opening months of the 1919-20 season.

He returned to Newcastle United briefly, playing 3 matches in February 1920 to take his total appearances for The Magpies to 70. He then had a considerable career in football management. Starting as player-manager at Northampton Town in May 1920, joining them for £250, where he played in their inaugural League fixture at Grimsby Town and for a further five seasons, scoring 9 goals in 108 games for The Cobblers in his dual capacity, as he enjoyed five seasons at The County Ground before retiring from playing, becoming manager of Queens Park Rangers in August 1925.

His five seasons at Loftus Road saw steady improvement, and a change of strip to the famous blue & white hoops, but no promotion, and he left in May 1930. In March 1932 he became manager of Second Division Bristol City but couldn’t save them from relegation. He remained at Ashton Gate as manager for 17 years (10 full seasons due to the interruption of the Second World War) before leaving in March 1949, he subsequently managed non-league teams Guildford City and Bath City, as well as scouting for Bristol Rovers, until his retirement in 1961.