On 30th May 1984 Joe Fagan made football history – he became the first English manager to win the Treble. After just one season as coach he had led Liverpool to victory in the League Cup, the League Championship and finally the European Cup, beating AS Roma on home soil after a gripping penalty shootout. It was an unprecedented triumph, the culmination of a twenty-five year career at the very heart of the Liverpool machine, and the end of a golden age. Unassuming, down-to-earth, and never one to court publicity, little is known about Joe Fagan – a man who played a pivotal part in Liverpool’s domination of the game in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, but whose achievements were later obscured by disaster. A Scouser born and bred, he joined the Anfield coaching staff in 1958, after a playing career at Manchester City and years learning his craft in the lower leagues. At the time Liverpool were in the stranglehold of Second Division mediocrity – but then, a year later, Bill Shankly arrived, and everything changed. With a knack for nurturing the talents of precocious youngsters, Fagan quickly became part of Shankly’s trusted inner circle. Indeed, not only was Fagan one of the original members of the fabled Boot Room, he is widely credited with its creation. Under Bob Paisley Fagan was appointed second-in-command. So when Paisley stepped down, the reluctant Fagan was the obvious and only choice to succeed him – and what followed surpassed the dreams of even the most success-spoilt Kopites. However, just one year after Liverpool’s European triumph in Rome, the death of 39 fans at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels saw the club’s glittering record tarnished by tragedy, and English football exiled from Europe. Fagan announced his retirement just hours later – and stepped back into the anonymity he craved. Now, drawing for the first time on Joe Fagan’s own diaries, as well as a raft of new interviews with players, colleagues and contemporaries, this biography celebrates the record of one of football’s least celebrated greats, and reveals the inner workings of Liverpool’s golden age.
Andrew Fagan is a journalist who has written for the Daily Telegraph and the Independent. He is Joe’s grandson. Mark Platt is a writer and broadcaster who currently works for LFC TV. His previous books include Liverpool: Cup Kings 1965 and Liverpool: Cup Kings 1977.
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‘A highly readable account of a tough but modest man whose achievements deserve better recognition.’ - SPORTS BOOK OF THE WEEK
(Independent on Sunday )'A cracking read'
(The Kop )'Quite wonderful biography...remarkable story about greatness'
(Yorkshire Post )‘This affectionate biography gives (Fagan) the recognition he undoubtedly deserves. Frequent extracts from Fagan’s diaries…offer fresh and unparalleled insight.’
(When Saturday Comes )'A thorough and fitting biography of a true footballing gent'
(Theanfieldwrap.com )‘Excellent biography…a large amount of research was done to ensure that this book was a comprehensive account of a manager who gave so much for the game as well as Liverpool Football Club.’
(Thisisanfield.com )Review
'To me, Joe Fagan epitomises what we all know as ‘The Liverpool Way’ and this book is a great tribute to a man whose legendary status at the club should never be underestimated. I was obviously only a young lad when Joe was manager here, but I know he won the treble in his first season as manager and the vital role he played as an unsung member of the backroom team before then. He comes across as such a down to earth character and one whose football knowledge was second-to-none. For anyone with an interest in Liverpool’s history this is a must-read book and I really enjoyed it.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The appointment of Bill Shankly as manager in 1959 kick-started the golden era of Liverpool Football Club. As well as being an inspirational manager he was a large as life character that became an iconic figure loved throughout the world of football. His successor, Bill Paisley, was a different kettle of fish altogether. Unlike Shankly he was a quiet man who was never comfortable in the spotlight but the unparalleled number of trophies won during his reign cemented his place in Liverpool folklore. Unfortunately because of the achievements of these two legendary managers the man that that had the task of following them, Joe Fagan, is in great danger of being overlooked. After reading this long overdue autobiography though, I'm sure that being the man he most obviously was, this probably wouldn't bother him in the slightest.
It would be a great shame though, because few clubs will have as had a more loyal servant than Joe Fagan. Joining them in 1958 as assistant trainer/reserve team coach he worked his way through the ranks until he became manager in 1983. Although he was only the manager for two seasons they were two very momentous seasons. In his first season he led Liverpool to three major trophies - the Championship, the European Cup and the Milk Cup. In his second and final season Liverpool didn't win anything but it will be forever remembered for the events at Heysel Stadium where 39 fans died following crowd trouble before the European Cup Final in which Liverpool played Juventus. It is often thought that Fagan resigned as a result of this tragedy, but whilst he was extremely traumatised by the events in Brussels this book reminds us that he had actually decided that this would be his last game in charge some time before this.... Read more ›
It would be a great shame though, because few clubs will have as had a more loyal servant than Joe Fagan. Joining them in 1958 as assistant trainer/reserve team coach he worked his way through the ranks until he became manager in 1983. Although he was only the manager for two seasons they were two very momentous seasons. In his first season he led Liverpool to three major trophies - the Championship, the European Cup and the Milk Cup. In his second and final season Liverpool didn't win anything but it will be forever remembered for the events at Heysel Stadium where 39 fans died following crowd trouble before the European Cup Final in which Liverpool played Juventus. It is often thought that Fagan resigned as a result of this tragedy, but whilst he was extremely traumatised by the events in Brussels this book reminds us that he had actually decided that this would be his last game in charge some time before this.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mikey
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent biography of the quiet Anfield Bootroom legend. He didn't seek the limelight and treated the players very well. He knew how to deal with disappointed players who were not selected to play. It was such a shame that his short managerial career ended in very tragic circumstances.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By mr k coker
Format:Hardcover
Joe Fagan was a very important member of the backroom staff under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley before becoming Manager in 1983 and winning a treble in 1984. This book is fascinating and a brilliant read for all Liverpool fans especially those interested in the clubs history and those like myself who were following the club at that time and fills a gap in the Liverpool library as surprisingly there was no book about such an important figure in the clubs history. Using notes from his personal diaries the book is well written and researched and brought back a lot of memories as well as being a fascinating insight into an important part of Liverpools history. I loved it. Recommended to all reds
By Schrek 998
Format:Kindle Edition
Fantastic book about fantastic man , Liverpool fans this book is a must buy . It shows how honesty and hard work can pay off. A truly great humble man with such a great knowledge of the game how I wish we had him around now . Had a job to put this book down .
By Mr J Burns
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Probably knew more about the game than most. Never given the credit he deserved. Shankly, Paisley and Fagan, enough said.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Enjoyed this book good to learn abit more about a true great who worked so hard behind the scenes , .a true anfield legend
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sorry not read it only building up library on kindle for my husband for the holidays. I'm sure he,ll enjoy it
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A. E. Walker
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was very good value for money - and arrived well before the expected delivery date which was great as it was for a xmas present that I had to post on to recipient. He has read about half the book and said its excellent - brought back a lot of happy memories of Liverpool FC from years ago!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
master of his profession
read the book,know your history and it all becomes clear what a truely great backroom staff "Shanks" was presented with on his arrival in 1959
Published 19 months ago by jeffrod
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read - Long Overdue
A long overdue and well-written tribute to one of English football's most under-rated managers. Fagan witnessed the rise of Liverpool from Second Division to the heights of Europe... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. G. P. Shaw
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