| Frank Manders | |
| Birth Date: | 13 June 1914 |
| Birth Place: | Camberley, England |
| Death Place: | Boldmere, England |
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in[1] |
| Position: | Forward |
| Youthyears1: | ? |
| Youthclubs1: | Aldershot |
| Years1: | 1931–1935 |
| Clubs1: | Crystal Palace |
| Caps1: | 98 |
| Goals1: | 31 |
| Years2: | 1935–? |
| Clubs2: | Norwich City |
| Caps2: | ? |
| Goals2: | ? |
Frank Manders (13 June 1914 – 17 March 1942)[2] [3] was an English professional footballer who played as a forward. He made over 100 senior appearances for Crystal Palace and also played for Norwich City.
Manders began his youth career at Aldershot and signed for Crystal Palace, then playing in Division Three South of the Football League, in July 1931.[2] He made only one appearance in the 1931–32 season, becoming one of Palace's youngest ever players on 26 September, at age 17 years and 105 days,[4] in a home 2–2 draw against Coventry City.[5]
In the 1932–33 season, Manders played more regularly, making 25 league appearances and scoring 10 goals.[6] In 1933–34 and 1934–35, Manders made 23 league appearances (10 goals) and 36 appearances (14 goals) respectively.[7] In 1935–6, Manders began the season as a first-choice forward but after 12 appearances (two goals) moved on to Norwich City in October.[8] [2]
At Norwich, Manders was a regular in the side and scored 40 goals between 1935 and 1939 when regular league football was suspended after the outbreak of World War II.[9]
Manders died in 1942 aged 27.[3] While serving as a leading aircraftman in the Royal Air Force, he drowned himself in a pool due to depression.[10]