John Tait 'Jacky' Robertson was Chelsea's 1st manager, and, although his tenure was short, only 18 months, he helped form a very solid base for the club to grow from, especially through the players he brought in and those who left under his time at the club.

Jacky started his playing career at Morton, before moving to Everton in 1895. In 1898 he moved to Southampton, helping them to win the Southern League. He then returned to Scotland and won three consecutive league titles at Rangers in his first three seasons.

He was also capped 16 times for Scotland, 5 as captain, scoring 3 goals between 1898-1905.

Jacky was the very first player signed by Chelsea in 1905, and as player-manager as well, for their first-ever Football League season.
In that first season, he led the club to a third-place finish in the Second Division, narrowly missing promotion. Jacky then surprisingly resigned from the Club on 27 November 1906 after falling out with the Board.

William Lewis took over and Chelsea were promoted to the top flight at the end of the season under the new Secretary-Manager.

Not long afterwards Jacky became player-manager of Glossop, where he remained until summer 1909, becoming reserve-team manager at Manchester United.

His record as Manager of Chelsea:
P 54 W33 D10 L11 (61% win rate)
Goals for 126, against 57

His made 39 1st Team appearances scoring 7 goals for Chelsea.

John Tait 'Jacky' Robertson was Chelsea's 1st manager, and, although his tenure was short, only 18 months, he helped form a very solid base for the club to grow from, especially through the players he brought in and those who left under his time at the club.

Jacky started his playing career at Morton, before moving to Everton in 1895. In 1898 he moved to Southampton, helping them to win the Southern League. He then returned to Scotland and won three consecutive league titles at Rangers in his first three seasons.

He was also capped 16 times for Scotland, 5 as captain, scoring 3 goals between 1898-1905.

Jacky was the very first player signed by Chelsea in 1905, and as player-manager as well, for their first-ever Football League season.
In that first season, he led the club to a third-place finish in the Second Division, narrowly missing promotion. Jacky then surprisingly resigned from the Club on 27 November 1906 after falling out with the Board.

William Lewis took over and Chelsea were promoted to the top flight at the end of the season under the new Secretary-Manager.

Not long afterwards Jacky became player-manager of Glossop, where he remained until summer 1909, becoming reserve-team manager at Manchester United.

His record as Manager of Chelsea:
P 54 W33 D10 L11 (61% win rate)
Goals for 126, against 57

His made 39 1st Team appearances scoring 7 goals for Chelsea.