Gordon Jago Coach 1978 - 1982

Gordon Harold Jago MBE was born 22nd October, 1932 in Poplar, London. He began his career in the Football League with Charlton Athletic, whom he joined in the 1954–55 season from non-league team Dulwich Hamlet. He made a total of 147 appearances, scoring one goal, at The Valley. His final season with the Addicks was 1961–62 before he moved back to non-league football with Eastbourne United.

In 1967 he was appointed coach of NASL side Baltimore Bays. After two years Gordon was named coach of the United States national team but ended this role after suffering two defeats in his only games in charge. Two years afterwards, he was made manager of Queens Park Rangers. It was under his guidance that the basis of a QPR team which in 1975–76 would come within a point of the League title was assembled. He signed pivotal players such as Stan Bowles, Don Givens, Dave Thomas and Frank McLintock. Gordon, meanwhile, was appointed manager of Millwall in 1974 which he retained until 1977.

He returned to America, to coach the Rowdies in 1978. Owner George Strawbridge originally tried to get him to coach the Rowdies when the franchise was born in 1974. Gordon would have liked to, but the time wasn't right. He had just guided QPR to it's most successful season in the first division - an 8th place finish in 1973-74. It was Gordon who recommened his former Charlton team-mate Eddie Firmani for the Rowdies coaching role.

Gordon took over his new team in the January, lost his first game in charge - a 6-7 overtime decision against the Washington Diplomats (indoor), then reeled off six straight victories in an indoor competition, to give his reign an auspicious start, and of course, leading the Rowdies to Soccer Bowl '78, didn't hurt either.

The Rowdies started the '78 outdoor season on a high, but injuries plagued the team, and they suffered a mid-season slump that tested the optimism of everyone close to the team. Gordon continued to deliver his calm and reassuring prediction of Soccer Bowl destiny. But, just as the Rowdies slipped into the slump, they rose above it, winning 13 of their last 17 games. Then the playoffs, a convincing 3-1 win over the strong Chicago Sting, and then a surprise turn of events, the Rowdies won the away portion of the San Diego Sockers series, and lost the home game. The outcome was decided in the NASL "mini-game" - a spine tingling '78 playoff innovation to break the home and home playoff tie.

In pouring rain, Rodney Marsh scored the game winner. Next it was onto the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, the Rowdies lost 2-3 at the Strikers, then won handily 3-1 in Tampa Stadium. Another mini-game. It took until the last kick of the shootout, as Rodney did the honours again. Then it was onto New York to play the Cosmos at Giants Stadium in Soccer Bowl '78, sadly the Rowdies would go down 1-3.

1979, was another prolific year for both Gordon and the Rowdies. They again, made it to the Soccer Bowl, but alas they would see defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2. But did see success in the NASL's first indoor season, as the Rowdies played out an 8-4 season record and defeated the Memphis Rogues for the Championship title.

Gordon, suffered 1980 with his team racked with injuries, most of the players had to play out of position and they didn't have anyone on the bench to challenge those out on the field. But, they managed to get to the playoffs, were first they would come up against the New England Tea Men, a 1-0 win at home, put them in good stead for the return 4-0 win in New England. Then it was onto San Diego, the Rowdies would go down heavily 3-6, but came back in the home tie 6-0. Another mini-game, sadly the Sockers would go onto win 1-2.

The year started poorly in 1981 for Gordon, the Rowdies went 9-9 in the NASL's sophomore indoor season and missed the first playoff of any kind in the team's history. The outdoor campaign saw the Rowdies suffer through it's first losing season ever, going 15-17. But Gordon's team still managed to make the playoffs for a record seventh consecutive year, beating the Whitecaps and taking the Cosmos to three games before elimination.

In Gordon's final season, the Rowdies went 11-7 in the 1981-82 indoor season, by defeating the Montreal Manic and the Tulsa Roughnecks to take the Atlantic Conference Title, before losing to the Sockers in the Championship Series. Mid-way through the outdoor season Gordon stepped down as coach, and was replaced by Al Miller.

Gordon later had two separate stints as coach of indoor soccer side Dallas Sidekicks between 1984 and 1997, when he returned from coaching. He became President of the World Indoor Soccer League from 1998 until the merger with the MISL for the 2002 season. He is currently the Executive Director of the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup. In recognition of his achievements, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.