Archie Mitchell (footballer)

Archibald Philip "Archie" Mitchell (15 December 1885 – 16 April 1949) was an English football centre-half and manager. He is best remembered for his long spell as a player with Queens Park Rangers, for whom he made over 300 appearances.

Early years and Aston Villa

A centre half, Mitchell began his playing career with Oldbury St John's, before transferring to Football League Division One side Aston Villa in 1905. He failed to make a first team appearance for the club, appearing instead for the reserve team. With the reserves, he helped the team win the Birmingham & District League title in the 1905–06 and 1906–07 seasons. Mitchell departed Villa in 1907.

Queens Park Rangers

In 1907, Mitchell signed for Southern League Division One side Queens Park Rangers. He had a good start to his career with the Hoops, winning the 1907–08 Southern League Division One title in his debut season. A further Southern League Division One title was won in 1911–12, with the Charity Shield being lost 2–1 to Football League Division One champions Blackburn Rovers. He remained with Queens Park Rangers through to 1921, finally making his Football League debut at the age of 34 in the 1920–21 season, after the club were elected to the Football League Division Three. He made 35 appearances and scored three goals during the 1920–21 season. By the time he left the Hoops at the end of the campaign, Mitchell had made over 330 appearances for the club, excluding unofficial wartime competitions.

Brentford

Mitchell joined West London rivals Brentford as player in August 1921, having previously made an appearance for the club as a guest during the First World War. Plying his trade in the Division Three South, Mitchell played as a goalkeeper in the final away league game of the 1921–22 season away to Swansea Town. The 1–0 defeat was the final appearance of his career. He made 16 appearances and scored two goal for the Bees.

Brentford

When Mitchell joined Football League Division Three South side Brentford in the summer of 1921, he became the club's player-manager. He presided over three forgettable campaigns, his best finish being 9th in the 1921–22 season. After a run of seven straight defeats, Mitchell left the club in December 1924.

Queens Park Rangers

After coaching in the Balkans and a two-year stint as manager of Southern League side Dartford, Mitchell returned to former side Queens Park Rangers as manager in November 1931, replacing John Bowman, who had to step down due to ill-health. He led the club to a mid-table finish in what remained of the 1931–32 Division Three South season and resigned at the end of the 1932–33 season.

Mitchell made one appearance for England Juniors and made seven appearances for the Southern League representative team while with Queens Park Rangers. He made an appearance for the Football League XI in a 4–1 win over the Army on 10 November 1921.

After leaving Brentford and before departing for the Balkans, Mitchell worked in Acton as a schoolteacher.

As a player

Aston Villa Reserves

• Birmingham & District League (2): 1905–06, 1906–07

Queens Park Rangers

• Southern League First Division (2): 1907–08, 1911–12
• FA Charity Shield runner-up (1): 1912