William Lewis (football)

William Lewis

Lewis while with Brentford in 1902.
Personal information
Date of birth	September 1860
Place of birth	Brentford, England
Date of death	6 May 1916 (aged 55)
Place of death	Brentford, England
Teams managed
Years	Team
1900–1903	Brentford
1903–1904	Brentford (caretaker)
1906–1907	Chelsea (caretaker)

William Lewis (September 1860 – 6 May 1916) was an English football referee, director, secretary and manager, active in the early 20th century. He managed Brentford and Chelsea, the latter in the Football League.

Lewis was named secretary-manager of Southern League Division Two side Brentford in 1900, leading them to the title and promotion to the Southern League Division One in the 1900–01 season. The Bees finished second-from-bottom in their first season in Division One, but held onto their status in the league after a relegation playoff with Grays United was called off before going into extra time. Brentford finished bottom of Division One in 1902–03, but once again held onto their place in the league with a 7–2 relegation playoff victory over West London rivals Fulham. He stepped down from the role in May 1903 and was replaced by Richard Molyneux. Lewis covered the manager's position for Molyneux for part of the 1903–04 season, after Molyneux was suspended from football for attempting to buy a goalkeeper out of the army. Lewis remained at Brentford as secretary until 1905. He later returned to the club in an administrative capacity.