Sid Kimpton
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Sibley' "Sid" Kimpton, also known as George Kimpton, (12 August 1887 – 15 February 1968) was an English
football player, who spent his entire playing career with Southampton
and subsequently became a manager in Europe.
, near Watford
and, after playing for his local village team, had an unsuccessful trial with Watford
in 1909.
He joined Southern League
Southampton
in September 1910; after one match for the reserves, he made his first-team debut on 22 October, taking over the centre-forward's role from Percy Prince
, in a 3–0 defeat by Crystal Palace
. Kimpton scored in his next match a week later, in a 3–2 defeat at Brentford
. By the end of the season, Kimpton had made 29 appearances, scoring seven goals, as the "Saints" finished one point above the relegation places.
According to Holley & Chalk, Kimpton's "main value was his reliability and versatility"; he was "never thought of as a great player (but) had plenty of pluck and bustle which made him hugely popular."
For the 1911–12 season, Southampton's new manager George Swift recruited eleven new players, including centre-forward Henry Hamilton
from Huddersfield Town
. Kimpton retained his place in the side, but moved back to right-half where he played for the first half of the season, before being replaced by John Denby
in December. Kimpton returned to the side in March, when he took over the outside-right berth from Jack Wilcox
for the rest of the season, at the end of which Southampton were once again just above the relegation zone.
George Swift resigned in the summer of 1911 and Jimmy McIntyre
was recruited as "trainer" with Ernest Arnfield
returning as "secretary" (manager). The Saints started the 1911–12 season badly, only winning one match by the end of October. As the managerial team tried to improve performances by recruiting new players, Kimpton managed to retain his place in the side, either at centre-forward or on the right-wing, until February when he was dropped.
He returned to the side the following November and continued at outside-right for the rest of the 1913–14 season. He started the 1914–15 season on the wing, before reverting to centre-forward at the end of October, where he remained for the rest of the season, scoring ten goals as the Saints finished in sixth place, their best Southern League finish for five years.
During the First World War, Kimpton worked for Thornycroft
but continued to turn out for Southampton in wartime leagues and friendlies.
On the resumption of football in 1919, Kimpton was one of only three pre-war players who were re-signed by Southampton, but he was now in his thirties and only made two appearances in Southampton's final Southern League season. Before he left the Saints, he was rewarded with a benefit match. In his Southampton career, he made 149 appearances in peace-time matches, scoring 30 goals.
, France
, RC Paris, Rouen
and Cherbourg
.
Kimpton led the first coaching lessons of the FFFA
in 1934. He was then called up to help the France national football team
for the 1934 World Cup
, played in Italy. He had only an advisory role, as the triumvirate Gaston Barreau
, Jean Rigal and Maurice Delanghe still led the team.
He brought the WM formation in France
. Interviewed by L'Auto magazine about the level of French football players: "The French team could do better. (...) The French players must follow the discipline of football."
Before the World Cup match France
-Austria
played on 27 May 1934 in Torino, George Kimpton asked French midfielder Georges Verriest
to do a very tight individual marking on Austrian striker Matthias Sindelar
. He said: "You can follow Sindelar everywhere... even to the toilet! ". France lost 3–2 "doubtful goal" against the Wunderteam
and more than 4000 people welcomed players and staff at the Gare de Lyon
. Kimpton was even acclaimed.
Kimpton left the coaching staff of the France national football team
just after the World Cup. Gaston Barreau expressed relief, because he did not appreciate Kimpton's tactical options. He returned to his coaching lessons held on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays in several stadia of Paris
. Alongside his lessons, he became the manager of RC Paris and again brought the WM formation with sport director of les Pingouins, Victor Mestre.
After the defeat of the French football team
3–1 versus Germany
on 17 March 1935, the FFFA
called up Kimpton to an assistant position to teach WM to French international footballers. Kimpton was still the RC Paris manager at that time and only attended the meetings before the matches in Chantilly
and then in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
, because Gaston Barreau
did not want to lost his prerogatives during the matches. The first results of France
were good enough, but at the beginning of 1936, France lost 1–6 at home against the Netherlands
and 0–3 versus Czechoslovakia
) Kimpton was fired as an assistant but remained physio. Manager Gaston Barreau
could now decide the tactics of the French football team.
At RC Paris, Kimpton was also criticized by the Parisian supporters for his "economic football". But he led the team to the French championship
in 1936
and to two Coupe de France
1936
and 1939
. In 1936, Kimpton cried when Racing won the Coupe de France
. In 1939, Kimpton decided with a toss in the locker-room who will play as left-midfielder between André Raux and Wojkowiak Louys. The five francs
coin designe Louys.
Kimpton signed for FC Rouen
during summer, but World War II
temporarily ended football. However, les Diables rouges played well.
During the war, Kimpton was taken as a POW by the Germans in Saint-Denis, near Paris. He came back to FC Rouen
after the war. Under his management, Rouen won the last war championship.
Kimpton then managed Havre AC
for one season, and he was fired for poor results. He ended his career with AS Cherbourg.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football player, who spent his entire playing career with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and subsequently became a manager in Europe.
Playing career
Kimpton was born in LeavesdenLeavesden
Leavesden may mean:*An area near Watford, Hertfordshire, England*Leavesden Film Studios, a film and media complex owned by Warner Bros. on the site of the former Rolls-Royce factory at Leavesden Aerodrome...
, near Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
and, after playing for his local village team, had an unsuccessful trial with Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in 1909.
He joined Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in September 1910; after one match for the reserves, he made his first-team debut on 22 October, taking over the centre-forward's role from Percy Prince
Percy Prince
Percy Prince was an English amateur footballer who played as a centre-forward for Southampton and Boscombe in the early 20th century.-Football career:...
, in a 3–0 defeat by Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. Kimpton scored in his next match a week later, in a 3–2 defeat at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. By the end of the season, Kimpton had made 29 appearances, scoring seven goals, as the "Saints" finished one point above the relegation places.
According to Holley & Chalk, Kimpton's "main value was his reliability and versatility"; he was "never thought of as a great player (but) had plenty of pluck and bustle which made him hugely popular."
For the 1911–12 season, Southampton's new manager George Swift recruited eleven new players, including centre-forward Henry Hamilton
Henry Hamilton (footballer)
Henry Gilhespy Hamilton was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward for various clubs in the 1900s and 1910s.-Playing career:...
from Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. Kimpton retained his place in the side, but moved back to right-half where he played for the first half of the season, before being replaced by John Denby
John Denby
John Denby was an English footballer, who played as a half back for Southampton in the Southern League from 1911 to 1915.-Football career:Born in Sutton-in-Ashfield he started his career with Chesterfield. In the summer of 1911 Southampton's new manager George Swift spent £820 recruiting 11 new...
in December. Kimpton returned to the side in March, when he took over the outside-right berth from Jack Wilcox
Jack Wilcox
John Mitchell "Jack" Wilcox was an English professional footballer who played as an outside right for various clubs in the years preceding the First World War.-Football career:...
for the rest of the season, at the end of which Southampton were once again just above the relegation zone.
George Swift resigned in the summer of 1911 and Jimmy McIntyre
Jimmy McIntyre
James Alfred "Jimmy" McIntyre was an English footballer who became manager at Southampton, Coventry City and Fulham.-Playing career:...
was recruited as "trainer" with Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield was the secretary/manager of Southampton F.C. from 1897 to 1911, and again from 1912 to 1919.-Honours:Southampton*Southern League champions: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1900–01, 1902–03 and 1903–04*FA Cup finalists: 1900 and 1902-References:...
returning as "secretary" (manager). The Saints started the 1911–12 season badly, only winning one match by the end of October. As the managerial team tried to improve performances by recruiting new players, Kimpton managed to retain his place in the side, either at centre-forward or on the right-wing, until February when he was dropped.
He returned to the side the following November and continued at outside-right for the rest of the 1913–14 season. He started the 1914–15 season on the wing, before reverting to centre-forward at the end of October, where he remained for the rest of the season, scoring ten goals as the Saints finished in sixth place, their best Southern League finish for five years.
During the First World War, Kimpton worked for Thornycroft
John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
but continued to turn out for Southampton in wartime leagues and friendlies.
On the resumption of football in 1919, Kimpton was one of only three pre-war players who were re-signed by Southampton, but he was now in his thirties and only made two appearances in Southampton's final Southern League season. Before he left the Saints, he was rewarded with a benefit match. In his Southampton career, he made 149 appearances in peace-time matches, scoring 30 goals.
Coaching career
He coached DFC Prague, Polonia Warsaw, Cracovia Le HavreLe Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
, France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, RC Paris, Rouen
FC Rouen
Football Club de Rouen 1899 is a French association football club based in Rouen. The club was formed in 1899 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Rouen plays its home matches at the Stade Robert Diochon; named after Robert Diochon, a historic player...
and Cherbourg
AS Cherbourg Football
AS Cherbourg or the Association Sportive de Cherbourg Football is a French football club currently playing in the Championnat National, which is the third division in France...
.
Kimpton led the first coaching lessons of the FFFA
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
in 1934. He was then called up to help the France national football team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
for the 1934 World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
, played in Italy. He had only an advisory role, as the triumvirate Gaston Barreau
Gaston Barreau
Gaston Barreau was a French football player and coach.-References:*...
, Jean Rigal and Maurice Delanghe still led the team.
He brought the WM formation in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Interviewed by L'Auto magazine about the level of French football players: "The French team could do better. (...) The French players must follow the discipline of football."
Before the World Cup match France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
-Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
played on 27 May 1934 in Torino, George Kimpton asked French midfielder Georges Verriest
Georges Verriest
Georges Verriest was a French footballer. He played for RC Roubaix, and earned 14 caps for the France national football team, and scored a goal in the 1934 FIFA World Cup.-External links:*...
to do a very tight individual marking on Austrian striker Matthias Sindelar
Matthias Sindelar
Matthias Sindelar was an Austrian footballer.He played centre-forward for the celebrated Austria national team of the early 1930s known as the Wunderteam, which he captained at the 1934 World Cup....
. He said: "You can follow Sindelar everywhere... even to the toilet! ". France lost 3–2 "doubtful goal" against the Wunderteam
Wunderteam
Wunderteam was the name given to the Austria national football team of the 1930s. Led by manager Hugo Meisl, the team had an unbeaten streak of 14 games between April 1931 and December 1932. The style of the team was based on the Scottish school of football that focused on quick passing introduced...
and more than 4000 people welcomed players and staff at the Gare de Lyon
Gare de Lyon
Paris Lyon is one of the six large railway termini in Paris, France. It is the northern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway. It is named after the city of Lyon, a stop for many long-distance trains departing here, most en route to the south of France. In general the station's SNCF services run...
. Kimpton was even acclaimed.
Kimpton left the coaching staff of the France national football team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
just after the World Cup. Gaston Barreau expressed relief, because he did not appreciate Kimpton's tactical options. He returned to his coaching lessons held on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays in several stadia of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Alongside his lessons, he became the manager of RC Paris and again brought the WM formation with sport director of les Pingouins, Victor Mestre.
After the defeat of the French football team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
3–1 versus Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
on 17 March 1935, the FFFA
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
called up Kimpton to an assistant position to teach WM to French international footballers. Kimpton was still the RC Paris manager at that time and only attended the meetings before the matches in Chantilly
Chantilly, Oise
Chantilly is a small city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune in the department of Oise.It is in the metropolitan area of Paris 38.4 km...
and then in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
, because Gaston Barreau
Gaston Barreau
Gaston Barreau was a French football player and coach.-References:*...
did not want to lost his prerogatives during the matches. The first results of France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
were good enough, but at the beginning of 1936, France lost 1–6 at home against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
and 0–3 versus Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
) Kimpton was fired as an assistant but remained physio. Manager Gaston Barreau
Gaston Barreau
Gaston Barreau was a French football player and coach.-References:*...
could now decide the tactics of the French football team.
At RC Paris, Kimpton was also criticized by the Parisian supporters for his "economic football". But he led the team to the French championship
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in 1936
French football Division 1 1935–36
RC Paris won Division 1 season 1935/1936 of the French Association Football League with 44 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:Promoted from Division 2 , who will play in Division 1 season 1936/1937:...
and to two Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
1936
Coupe de France Final 1936
The Coupe de France Final 1936 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes on May 3, 1936, that saw RC Paris defeat FCO Charleville 1-0 thanks to a goal by Roger Couard.-Match details:-External links:**...
and 1939
Coupe de France Final 1939
The Coupe de France Final 1939 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes on May 14, 1939, that saw RC Paris defeat Olympique Lillois 3-1 thanks to goals by José Perez, Emile Veinante and Jules Mathé.-Match details:...
. In 1936, Kimpton cried when Racing won the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
. In 1939, Kimpton decided with a toss in the locker-room who will play as left-midfielder between André Raux and Wojkowiak Louys. The five francs
French franc
The franc was a currency of France. Along with the Spanish peseta, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra . Between 1360 and 1641, it was the name of coins worth 1 livre tournois and it remained in common parlance as a term for this amount of money...
coin designe Louys.
Kimpton signed for FC Rouen
FC Rouen
Football Club de Rouen 1899 is a French association football club based in Rouen. The club was formed in 1899 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Rouen plays its home matches at the Stade Robert Diochon; named after Robert Diochon, a historic player...
during summer, but World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
temporarily ended football. However, les Diables rouges played well.
During the war, Kimpton was taken as a POW by the Germans in Saint-Denis, near Paris. He came back to FC Rouen
FC Rouen
Football Club de Rouen 1899 is a French association football club based in Rouen. The club was formed in 1899 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Rouen plays its home matches at the Stade Robert Diochon; named after Robert Diochon, a historic player...
after the war. Under his management, Rouen won the last war championship.
Kimpton then managed Havre AC
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
for one season, and he was fired for poor results. He ended his career with AS Cherbourg.
Honours
- Division 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
: 1936French football Division 1 1935–36RC Paris won Division 1 season 1935/1936 of the French Association Football League with 44 points.-Participating teams:-Final table:Promoted from Division 2 , who will play in Division 1 season 1936/1937:...
with RC Paris - Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
: 1936Coupe de France Final 1936The Coupe de France Final 1936 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes on May 3, 1936, that saw RC Paris defeat FCO Charleville 1-0 thanks to a goal by Roger Couard.-Match details:-External links:**...
, 1939Coupe de France Final 1939The Coupe de France Final 1939 was a football match held at Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes on May 14, 1939, that saw RC Paris defeat Olympique Lillois 3-1 thanks to goals by José Perez, Emile Veinante and Jules Mathé.-Match details:...
with RC Paris