Duckworth began his managerial career as player-manager with non-league
Newark Town. After working as a coach with
Chesterfield, he moved to manage
York City in March 1950. His last game as York's manager was against
Stockport County on 18 October 1952, who he had agreed to join three days earlier, and took up their managerial duties following the game. After four years with the club, he joined
Darlington and later
Scunthorpe United. During his time at Scunthorpe he steered the club to its highest-ever league finish of 4th in Division Two in 1962. However, the club were relegated two years later, and Duckworth was sacked after a bad start to the following season. It proved to be his last role in club management. He died in
Sheffield in 1983, aged 76. ==Family==