Editing Walter Winterbottom (section)

==Early years==
[[File:Walter Winterbottom.jpg|thumb|Bust of Walter Winterbottom at St George's Park]]
Born in [[Oldham]], [[Lancashire]], Walter Winterbottom was the only son of James Winterbottom, a ring frame fitter in a textile machine works.<ref name="Anthony 2008">{{cite book|last=Anthony|first=Mason|title=New Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|year=2008}}</ref> At the age of 12 he was awarded a scholarship to Oldham High School where he excelled. He won a bursary to Chester Diocesan Teachers Training College,<ref name="Anthony 2008"/> graduating as the top student in 1933 and took a teaching post at the Alexandra Road School, Oldham. Whilst teaching he played football for Royton Amateurs and then [[Mossley A.F.C.|Mossley]]<ref name="Anthony 2008"/> where he was spotted by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. He signed for United as a part-time professional in 1936 but continued teaching.<ref name="Anthony 2008"/> In his first season (1936/37) at Manchester United he showed great promise, playing 21 first team League games and two FA cup games, appearing as wing half and centre half. But in the following two seasons he made only four first team appearances.<ref name="Anthony 2008"/> and 41 Central League appearances, his playing career effectively ended by a spinal disease, later diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis.<ref name="Anthony 2008"/> Whilst still playing for Manchester United he left his teaching position to study at [[Carnegie College of Physical Education]], [[Leeds]]. On graduating he was appointed as a lecturer.<ref name="Anthony 2008"/>

During World War II Winterbottom served as an officer in the Royal Air Force, reaching the rank of wing commander and working at the Air Ministry with overall responsibility for training PE instructors at home and overseas. He was also a guest player with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]<ref name="Anthony 2008"/> and ran coaching courses for the FA at grammar schools in London. In 1946 [[Stanley Rous]], who was the secretary of The Football Association, persuaded the FA council to appoint Winterbottom as the FA's first Director of Coaching and suggested he take on the additional responsibility of being the first England team manager.<ref name="Anthony 2008"/>