Tribute to former Town manager and coach
Jack Crompton 18th December 1921- 4th July 2013
Everyone at Kenilworth Road has been saddened to learn of the death of former Hatters coach and manager Jack Crompton at the age of 91.
Jack was born in Hulme, Manchester and after being regarded as unfit for military service in the RAF during the war, following a footballing injury, he recovered and signed on for Manchester United making his League debut in goal for the Reds in August 1946.
After 10 years at Old Trafford, with the highlight an FA Cup winners’ medal in 1948, Jack decided to hang up his gloves, and in October 1956, armed with a superb testimonial from Matt Busby, applied for and was offered the position of first team coach at Kenilworth Road.
Jack soon became popular at Luton with his innovative ideas as the Town pulled above their weight in the top flight. In February 1958 the Munich disaster led to the decimation of the Manchester United team and, along with just about every club in the country, Hatters Chairman Percy Mitchell wrote to Manchester United offering any assistance possible in their hour of need.
Of course, Percy meant help with players, but when United asked for Jack Crompton, due to their coaching staff also suffering horrendous losses in the disaster, he would not go back on his word and so Jack returned to Old Trafford to help oversee the rebuilding process.
When Syd Owen was dismissed as manager at Kenilworth Road in 1960, Jack was asked if he would like the job but he decided to stay at Old Trafford and the position was given to Sam Bartram.
Two years later, with Bartram on his way, the Luton Board tried again to secure Jack. This time he said yes but after eight days in the role he resigned following specialist advice citing the flare-up of a stomach ulcer.
Returning once more to Old Trafford, Jack remained at United on and off until 1981 before taking up a coaching role with the Sports Council.
Our condolences go out to his family and friends.