Fifty-two years ago, Grimsby Town were denied the chance to achieve greatness thanks to the backward thinking of government and F.A. officials who simply could not see how a foreign coach had any advantage over an English one. What a pity the same officials weren't still in charge when Sven appeared on the scene. This article, written by Rob Briggs, is taken from Sing When We're Fishing Issue 51.

In November 1954 Grimsby Town created history by appointing the first foreign trainer-coach in the Football League. A former Hungarian international, Emilio Berkessy had a good reputation for soccer tactics and training on the Continent.  Yet despite his credentials, other factors were to determine that his stay at Blundell Park was short.

Berkessy had fled his native country in 1948 to resume coaching in Spain, but when the vacancy at Grimsby was advertised, it rekindled his ambition to do the same job in England.

At his interview before the board of directors on November 11^th, Berkessy explained his methods through an interpreter (he spoke no English), supported by letters of reference from all across Europe, and the men he had given help to – amongst them Koscis and Hideguti, the brilliant Hungarians who had tormented England at Wembley only twelve months previously.

Manager Billy Walsh also gave Berkessy his backing, stating that,

“His methods are novel, but practical…here is one man who will help me reinstate Grimsby in a higher sphere of football.”

In training, the Hungarian’s methods were greeted with both surprise and interest, but overall they were like a breath of fresh air, as the struggling Mariners then embarked on a run of encouraging results.  A point at Southport (2-2) was followed by F.A. Cup success over Halifax (2-1), before the league fixture at The Shay a week later went to the Yorkshiremen (2-3), with defeat due more to refereeing decisions than poor form.

With optimism for the future once again present throughout the club, political considerations arose to eventually force Berkessy’s departure. With his residential permit due to expire on December 15^th, it was thought there would be no problems in applying for a work permit, so it came as a great shock to learn that the authorities were not to allow the coach to take up employment in this country. 

Local outrage at the decision became intense, and by December 11^th the story had spread south, gaining attention in the Sunday papers, most notably in the Sunday Despatch.

As Christmas approached the Mariners took the matter a stage further.  Along with Louth M.P. Cyril Osborne, Town Chairman F.A. Would and Vice-Chairman L.R. Osmond presented their case before Minister of Labour Harold Watkinson in London.

But despite a positive hearing, the Minister said that he must refer the matter to the F.A. 

After further consultation, Mr Watkinson said he could not find his way to allow a work permit, the reason put forward being that he could not see what advantage an Hungarian coach had over an English one.

Before his return to Barcelona, the Chairman, Manager and players paid tribute to Berkessy, describing him as a “remarkable, likeable and charming man.”  If he had been allowed to stay, there is little doubt that the Mariners would have escaped re-election at the season’s end and might even have gone on to promotion.