Fred Everiss was born in the city of West Bromwich, England in 1882. Everiss was a man very identified and completely related to the city’s football club, West Bromwich Albion FC, where he arrived at just 14 years old, in September 1896, to do the functions of an office boy where he was in charge of some minor jobs such as preparing match programs and other minor administrative activities.
As time went by, he gained a name and a good reputation within the club that led him to be appointed in 1902 as the new secretary-manager, a role that had many administrative functions and not so many sports. However, at that time, there was no managerial role at West Brom as it is currently seen. In fact, the club created it after Everiss left office.
As soon as he arrived at the club, he managed to win the 1901-02 Football League Second Division, achieving promotion to the First Division, where in his first season they would finish in seventh place with a more than outstanding performance, although in the 1903-04 season they would return to the English football second tier by being last in the league.
For the 1910-11 season, he would once again lift the Football League Second Division trophy but this time he would be able to settle the squad in the first tier, where the basis for what would be the most successful period in the history of West Brom would be established. In the 1919-20 season, West Brom finally achieved their first Football League First Division title, in a landslide with an amazing Fred Norris who scored 37 goals that year.
In 1920, he would also win the FA Charity Shield by defeating Tottenham Hotspur by a 2-0 score in the first edition of this competition since the beginning of WWI. In 1927, he assumed as Secretary of Football League Secretaries and Managers Association, where he would later reach the position of Chairman.
After a few years the team suffered another relegation although that did not prevent them from winning the 1931 FA Cup from the second tier by defeating Birmingham City 2-1 with two goals from William “Ginger” Richardson. It is worth pointing out that that same year the club would once again achieve promotion to the First Division.
Everiss would remain in his position as secretary-manager until 1948, which is why he spent 46 years in the position, which is the record for the longest tenure for a manager in his position in English football. West Brom would give him a position in the board after finishing his time as secretary-manager, a position he held until the day of his death in 1951.
Alan Everiss, Fred’s son, joined the club as a member of the team’s technical staff when his father was still in charge. Alan would also spend his life dedicated to the Baggies. In fact, the work of the Everiss family has left a very important mark on West Brom and has had several recognitions throughout the years, being the appointment of the West Brom manager’s office as the Everiss Suite.
