Teddy Duckworth

Although he spent much of his life in and around the Fylde and Blackpool areas, Teddy Duckworth was born in the Whitebirk suburb of Blackburn. A fine right-winger, he started his playing career at Union Star, Blackpool and then Lytham FC before being signed by Blackpool in 1900. He went on loan to West Ham United in May 1903 but never really broke into their first team and before the year was out, he was back in Lancashire following his transfer to Blackburn Rovers. Finally, he returned to Blackpool in 1906 before a serious knee injury ended his career the following year.

Duckworth was working as a plumber prior to World War I when he joined the Army and served as a second-lieutenant with the Liverpool Scottish regiment. He won the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) in 1916 and was awarded the MC (Military Cross) in 1918 for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty”. Duckworth was seriously injured during the Battle of the Somme and spent more than a year in hospital. After his recovery, the British swimming champion David Billington put him in touch with FC Servette who were looking for a manager. Duckworth joined the Swiss club in 1919, was appointed head coach in 1921, and continued working on the continent until 1946.

Duckworth led Servette to the Swiss Championship four times in 1922, 1925-26, 1930 and the Swiss Cup in 1928. He also coached the national team to the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. Their defeat by Uruguay in the 1924 final being the only international final in Switzerland’s history (up to the scheduled 2020 Olympics). Duckworth left Servette in the summer of 1929 to coach at Rhône Sportive Terreaux in Lyon, but remained in France for less than a year before returning to Servette. However, he soon went back to France where he wound up his career in 1946, having had four spells at Lyon and two at St. Etienne.