Walter Crickmer joined Manchester United as a clerk in 1919. Promoted to the position of Secretary of Manchester United in 1926, Crickmer served the Club faithfully for almost forty years before losing his life at Munich on 6th February 1958.

In the aftermath of Munich a Club official wrote in the programme "How to write an epitaph for Walter? He was more than our Secretary - he was a part of Manchester United....He'd a hand in everything, from helping with the United Review to building the floodlight pylons," (United Review 19.02.1958)

Indeed amongst the many hats he wore was team Manager. Although he never assumed the official title of Manager, he took charge of team affairs in 1931-1932, when the Club found themselves without a team Manager, until A. Scott Duncan was appointed, and again in 1937 when Duncan resigned, right up until the appointment of Matt Busby, after he had been demobilised, in 1945.

It was Crickmer who was responsible for the introduction of the youth policy which flourished under Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy in the 1950s, when he set up the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC's) in 1938. Crickmer organised a Committee of local teachers and institutes from Manchester University to set about encouraging school leavers to join Manchester United. (The MUJAC's built on the success of the Club's 'A' team and the junior 'Colt's', which had been set up under the management of long serving ex-player Lal Hilditch). During his time in charge of first team affairs Crickmer was assisted by United scout Louis Rocca.

In 1945 he was relieved of his duties with the first team to concentrate on his administration duties. He was renowned for his talents in this field as well as his devotion to Manchester United. He once claimed that he had never watched a full game of football as he was often too busy to do so - although he occasionally watched half a game! (Source, United Review, 19.02.58)