Spen Whittaker

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Spen Whittaker, known as "Spen", was manager of now Football League Championship side Burnley from 1903 to 1910.

His reign as Burnley manager was to come to a tragic end in April 1910. Whittaker was on his way to London by train to register the signing of a new player. When the train stopped in Crewe, it was reported that a man had fallen from a carriage some distance outside the town. When the body was discovered it was found to be that of Whittaker. The fall resulted in the tragic death of the Burnley manager, and a benefit match against Manchester United at Turf Moor was arranged for Whittaker's wife and family.

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