Jess Willard (footballer)

Cecil Thomas Frederick "Jess" Willard (16 January 1924 – 6 May 2005) was an English football right half, inside forward and coach who played in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. After his retirement from playing he became a coach and trainer, first managing the youth team and serving as first team coach at Crystal Palace, then later working as trainer at Brentford and presiding over one match as caretaker manager in January 1975.

Willard attended the Lancastrian School in his home town of Chichester and later worked for Shippam’s. He boxed in his youth and acquired the nickname "Jess". Willard served in the RAF during the Second World War. As of March 2001, Willard was living in Turners Hill Park, Sussex.