Everyone at Oxford United was saddened to learn of the death on Wednesday of former United manager Gerry Summers at the age of 90.
Summers, born in Birmingham on 4th October 1933, took over at Oxford United in July 1969, following the departure of Ron Saunders. He had previously played for West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Hull City and Walsall before coaching at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In his first season at the Manor, Summers took United to the quarter finals of the League Cup, while consolidating the side's position in Division Two (Championship). He spent over five seasons in charge of the U's, taking the club for a total of 291 games before his dismissal in September 1975. He had taken the club to the summit of the Second Division in September 1970, the highest they had ever been at that time, while becoming a stable second-tier club just a decade after promotion from non-league.
Summers went on to manage Gillingham and then coach at West Brom, Leicester City and Derby County.
We would like to pass on our condolences to his family.
