Jackie Carr was appointed player-coach at Hartlepools United in 1931. He played just 10 times, his last appearance coming just days before his 40th birthday, making him one of the oldest players ever to represent the club. Towards the end of the 1931/32 season he took over as manager and spent three seasons trying hard to plug the gaps in a defence that had stuggled more than most to cope with recent changes in the offside law that had resulted in a flood of goals. The 116 goals shipped in 1932/33 remains a club record. Despite the defensive problems (which Carr did manage to improve) his three seasons in charge saw the club achieve three midtable finishes. Born in South Bank, Jackie Carr started off as an amateur while working as a gas fitter. He played as a right-sided forward for his local team as they reached the FA Amateur Cup final in 1910. Shortly afterwards he signed professional terms with Middlesbrough and went on to play for the Teessiders over 400 times, winning two England caps along the way. After leaving Middlesbrough he spent a short spell at Blackpool before ending his playing days, and launching his managerial career, with Pools. He later managed Tranmere Rovers and Darlington, and then worked in a Stockton foundry until his death in 1942.