A dual international at both cricket and football, Willie Watson was appointed manager of struggling Bradford City in April 1966. He was the man who revived Bradford City, never again would they perform as poorly as they did at the time of his appointment. He was born at Bolton on Dearne in March 1920.

He joined Huddersfield Town in 1938. He first represented Yorkshire at cricket in 1939 and went onto play 23 tests for England scoring two centuries. He played 211 league matches for Huddersfield, he was capped at 'B' and full International levels and was named in England's 1950 World Cup party, though he didn't play in any of the games. In October 1954 he was appointed player manager of Halifax Town but resigned 18 months later to concentrate on his cricket. He rejoined The Shaymen in September 1964 and they had to seek re election to the league that summer.

It was a surprise to some when he became manager at Valley Parade. The club in financial straits again had to apply for re election having finished 23^rd in the table with only Wrexham below them. He answered his critics superbly by building a team capable of challenging for promotion, in fact had he not resigned in January 1968 the club would have won promotion the season before it did. He made shrewd signings, notably new skipper Tom Hallett, the experienced Jim McAnearney and during the 1966-67 season brought in Charlie Rackstraw and Barry Swallow.

He also oversaw the emergence of Bruce Bannister as a regular player and goalscorer. At the end of the season City finished 11^th in the Fourth Division.

The following season he brought in Pat Liney as goalkeeper and signed Paul Aimson to bolster the forward line. By January 1968 City were well in the promotion places seldom being out of the top four and playing some thrilling attacking football especially at Valley Parade.

Out of the blue he resigned to become the chief sports administrator at the famous Wanderers club in Johannesburg. He later became a farmer in South Africa, where he died in April 2004 at the age of 84.