The first man to hold a position at Tranmere equivalent to what is today referred to as a manager was Bert Cooke, who was appointed manager in 1912,[3] though the directors continued to choose the team for each game.[4] Cooke stayed in charge for 23 years, the longest spell of any manager at the club.[3] He oversaw the club's victory in the Lancashire Combination in 1914,[5] promotion to the Central League in 1919 and, as founder members of Division Three North, their first Football League match on 27 August 1921.[6] He also developed a string of talented local youngsters, including Dixie Dean and Pongo Waring.[7] However, in 1935, Cooke's career ended in discredit; following illegal payments to directors and players, he was sacked and replaced by Jack Carr.[8]