Autographs of Walter Winterbottom

Sir Walter Winterbottom (31 March 1913 – 16 February 2002) was an English football player and coach. He was the first manager of the England national team (1946–1962) and Director of Coaching for The Football Association (the FA). He resigned from the FA in 1962 to become General Secretary of the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) and was appointed as the first director of the Sports Council in 1965. He was knighted for his services to sport in 1978 when he retired. The Football Association marked the 100th anniversary of Winterbottom's birth by commissioning a bust which was unveiled by Roy Hodgson at St George's Park on 23 April 2013 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of English football.
Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Walter Winterbottom was the only son of James Winterbottom, a ring frame fitter in a textile machine works. 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, 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 where he was spotted by Manchester United. He signed for United as a part-time professional in 1936 but continued teaching. 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. and 41 Central League appearances, his playing career effectively ended by a spinal disease, later diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis. 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.
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 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.
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Traded items with a signature of Walter Winterbottom

The most expensive item with a signature of Walter Winterbottom (Signed England 1950 World Cup Squad Sheet X22 Alf Ramsey Walter Winterbottom ++) was sold in April 2016 for £159.99 while the cheapest item (Manchester United / England FC Walter Winterbottom Signed Autograph Page) found a new owner for £0.99 in March 2020. The month with the most items sold (4) was December 2012 with an average selling price of £5.50 for an autographed item of Walter Winterbottom. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in January 2026 with £106.36 and the month that saw the lowest prices with £0.99 was March 2020. In average, an autographed item from Walter Winterbottom is worth £9.50.

Most recently, these items with a signature of Walter Winterbottom were sold on eBay - click here for more items.

Picture	Item Title	Price	Store
	ENGLAND MANAGER 1946-1962 SIR WALTER WINTERBOTTOM GENUINE HAND SIGNED AUTOGRAPH	£22.98
	MANCHESTER UNITED HAND SIGNED AUTOS WALTER WINTERBOTTOM 1936/37 ERA	£6.69
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM (1st ENGLAND MANAGER) HAND-SIGNED WEMBLEY PROGRAMME	£21.43
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM - SIGNED " 1966 WINNERS " FIRST DAY COVER	£106.36
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM 1ST ENGLAND MANAGER HAND-SIGNED VINTAGE PROGRAMME	£29.95
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM ENGLAND MANAGER 1946-62 SIGNED MOUNTED DISPLAY 10x8 SPT COA	£55.00
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM ENGLAND MANAGER 1946-62 SIGNED MOUNTED DISPLAY 10x8 SPT COA	£55.00
	Walter Winterbottom England Manager Hand signed 1960s photo Manchester United	£12.16
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM FIRST ENGLAND MANAGER HAND-SIGNED PHOTOCARD	£24.95
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM HAND SIGNED CARD AUTOGRAPH COA PHOTO ENGLAND MANCHESTER UTD	£7.00
	Walter Winterbottom Manchester United England Autograph Signed Picture Display	£68.55
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM MANCHESTER UNITED LEGEND HAND-SIGNED CLUB-CRESTED PHOTOCARD	£24.95
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM SIGNED 1936-38 MANCHESTER UNITED 11.5 x 8 inch PICTURE	£14.34
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM SIGNED 1936-38 MANCHESTER UNITED 12 x 8.5 inch PICTURE	£13.27
	WALTER WINTERBOTTOM SIGNED 1936-38 MANCHESTER UNITED PICTURE	£30.22