A new series in which Millwall fan and journalist Neil Fissler discusses two early Millwall Athletic pioneers - Bill Bryant and Bob Hunter - with yours truly ...

SHOW NOTES

Bill Bryant, 1899-1986

William Ingram (Bill) Bryant was born in Ghent, Belgium on 01 March 1899.

He was a full England International as well as an Amateur International. He won his only full England cap on 21 May 1925, in a friendly against France in Paris. England won the match 3 – 2, and Bryant played the full 90 minutes.

A centre half, he plied his trade with Clapton and Millwall. He was a Clapton player at the time of his full International call up.

William was the Clapton captain for the 1924/25 F.A. Amateur Cup Final against Southall, held ironically at The Den, Millwall, home of the team he was soon to join. Clapton won the game 2 – 1, thus retaining the trophy they had won a year earlier, when Bill was also a member of the victorious Clapton team.

He left Clapton to join Millwall in 1925 and played 132 games for “The Lions”, scoring 30 goals before returning to Clapton in 1931.

William Ingram Bryant died on 21 January 1986, in Witham, Essex aged 86.

Millwall 1925-31 140 apps in all comps - 30 goals

Bob Hunter 1860-1933

Millwall manager 1918-33 ( longest tenure in the job)

Millwall club trainer 1897-1918

Originally from Govan, spent many years at Montrose FC in Scotland

Built reputation as a runner and coach - winning many prizes

Known as an organizer of athletic events - continued on the Isle of Dogs

Took charge in 1918

Developed a side strong enough to finish 3rd in Division 3 South 1923-24, 1925-26 & 1926-27 before promotion as champions in 1927-28

Shrewd singer of players including Richard Parker 1924 and Jack Cock 1927 who scored twice in a 9-1 win over Coventry

1932-33 - 7th in Division Two - although Hunter died in office aged 73, the only Millwall manager ever to do so.

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