Thomas Ronald Manley (7 October 1912 â 4 July 1988) was an English professional footballer who made over 300 appearances in the Football League for Manchester United and Brentford as a utility player. He later managed hometown club Northwich Victoria in non-League football.
Manley began his career with junior clubs Brunner Mond and Norley United, before joining Cheshire County League club Northwich Victoria in 1929. He remained at Drill Field until September 1930.
Manley was brought to First Division club Manchester United by scout Louis Rocca on an amateur basis in September 1930. At the end of the 1930âÂÂ31 season, after the club's relegation to the Second Division, he signed a professional contract. Manley broke into the team over the course of the 1932âÂÂ33 and 1933âÂÂ34 seasons and scored 15 goals in United's 1935âÂÂ36 Second Division title-winning campaign. After suffering relegation straight back to the Second Division at the end of the 1936âÂÂ37 season, he helped the team to an immediate return to the top-flight one season later. 1938âÂÂ39 was Manley's final season at Old Trafford and he finished his Manchester United career having made 195 appearances and scored 41 goals. Predominantly an outside left, he also performed the role of a utility player at Old Trafford by also playing in half and full back positions.
Manley joined First Division club Brentford for a "substantial fee" in August 1939 and was immediately named captain. Just three matches of the 1939âÂÂ40 season were played before the season was abandoned and competitive football was suspended for the duration of the Second World War. Manley's duties with the RAF meant that he appeared sparingly for the club during the war, making just 36 appearances and scoring six goals by the end of the 1945âÂÂ46 season. He also played as a guest player for Blackpool, Chester, Fulham, Manchester United, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur during the war. Competitive football resumed for the 1946âÂÂ47 season and Manley would go on to make 122 appearances and scored 8 goals for the club before making his final appearance in September 1950. He remained as Griffin Park as a reserve team player for the 1951âÂÂ52 season (playing one match as a goalkeeper) before retiring at age 39 in May 1952. Manley was awarded a joint-testimonial with Ted Gaskell versus a Tommy Lawton XI in April 1954.
Manley managed Cheshire County League club Northwich Victoria, with whom he began his career as a player, between March and October 1954.
Manley served in the RAF during the Second World War. After his retirement from football, he became the licensee of a pub in Northwich.
Manchester United