Harry Lockett

Harry Lockett was first secretary of the Football League. This is the story of his remarkable life, from humble beginnings in Derby, where football was illegal, to writing the laws of the game and holding a position of power until temptation caused his downfall.

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Harry Lockett: Football's Unassuming, Unknown and Unsung Founding Father, is a biography of the man who became first secretary of the Football League and later manager of Stoke Football Club in the late Victorian era. 

Harry Lockett lived a quite remarkable life. Born to parents who lived in Derby, when football was outlawed, he moved to the Potteries and experienced tragedy as a child, before becoming a well-known athlete, match official and sports administrator. 

It was those abilities which led to his work in football, while also running a substantial printing business and volunteering for over three decades as an Army Reserve Soldier. He was secretary and treasurer of the Football League, holding power and status until temptation caused his downfall.

Lockett did bounce back however, donated time and money to charities, socialised with celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and established a consortium to save Stoke when the club was on the brink of going out of business... but it all came at a huge personal cost.