The Pompey Chimes

Manager from May 1927 to May 1947

Jack Tinn's early career was as a senior clerk at South Shields County Court, and manager at South Shields from 1919. He was forced to sell their better players so that the club could survive and when he left the north-east to manage Pompey in 1927, the club went into decline.

Pompey had just been promoted to the First Division when Tinn took control. They just managed to avoid relegation in his first two seasons at Fratton Park but in 1929, Tinn took Pompey to Wembley. They lost 2 - 0 to favourites Bolton Wanderers after holding out for most of the match. He brought into the club legendary players such as Sep Rutherford, John Weddle, Jimmy Nichol, Jack Smith, Freddie Worrall, James Scot Symon and Lew Morgan. He also paid a then club record fee of £6,000 for Irish international Jimmy McAlinden in December 1938.

They went back to Wembley again in 1934 but lost 2 - 1 to Manchester City after Sep Rutherford had given Pompey the lead. Tinn finally took Pompey to a winning Cup Final as favourites Wolves were soundly beaten 4 - 1. Links to the 1939 FA Cup FInal here

Tinn was also famous for wearing his lucky spats, which were religiously put on by the same player before every match.

Although he managed to keep Pompey in the First Division, they usually struggled near the foot of the table. It was around this time that Tinn came in for some heavy criticism but this was a little unfair as he had brought much success to Fratton Park, especially in the FA Cup. He resigned in May 1947.

    Jack Tinn and Freddie Worrall 1939

Different era

legendary Portsmouth manager Jack Tinn has his lucky spats fastened by right winger Freddie Worrall at the Fratton Park ground in 1939. Worrall also played for the England national side.  

Typical of the superstitious nature of the team in 1939 was the feeling that the legendary 'lucky spats', worn by manager Jack Tinn at every cup match, had brought the success 

Links to the 1939 FA Cup FInal here

       Jack Tinn seated with the 1939 FA Cup Final Team Squad

See Photo Slideshow of Portsmouth FC Managers here