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"Gentleman Joe" Wainwright was a 6 foot 3 inch centre half. He bagan his careeer with Works League side Birmingham gas. He joined the Rovers from Tamworth in December 1945, after serving in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
He was a regular in the side until 1958. During this time they were Birmingham Combination Champions in 1946/47, won the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1947 & 1948.
They also reached the first round of the F.A.Cup 4 times.
At the age of 43 Joe was asked to manage the Rovers Reserves.
When First Team Manager Eric Jones resigned to take a job in Dutch football, Joe was asked to take on the role of player manager - playing his last game for the Rovers at the age of 46!. He was manager for 5 years before being relieved of his position in February 1966.
However, he remained close to the club and was asked to take over managerial duties, in a caretake capacity, a number of times, the final time being in the 1975/76 season.
He died of stomach cancer, aged 78, in 1993.
Stats:
Debut: vs Banbury Spencer, Birmingham Combination, Spencer Stadium, 8 December 1945, 5-0.
Last game:
1945/46: 18 appearances, 0 goals
1946/47: 39 appearances, 4 goals
1947/48:
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D.O.B:
11/10/1915
Born:
Balsall Heath, Birmingham
D.O.D:
06/12/1993
Died:
Birmingham
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