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"Thoughtful and entertaining ... This book illustrates what a loss to the game he would be; let's hope he re-signs somewhere soon." --The Independent
"As the author of a book on the career of a Reading legend, Roach's style is different from other football writers. Roach cleverly blends a playing career that saw action for Manchester United and England with a management career that scaled the heights of the top flight with so called less fashionable football clubs. The end product is a good read that will interest all football fans, but also further reinforces Coppell's reputation not just as a football success, but as an admired and thoroughly respected football man." --Back the Boys (Reading Fanazine)
"This fascinating subject provides an equally compelling read." --Programme monthly
This fascinating subject provides an equally compelling read. --Programme monthly
"As the author of a book on the career of a Reading legend, Roach's style is different from other football writers. Roach cleverly blends a playing career that saw action for Manchester United and England with a management career that scaled the heights of the top flight with so called less fashionable football clubs. The end product is a good read that will interest all football fans, but also further reinforces Coppell's reputation not just as a football success, but as an admired and thoroughly respected football man." --Back the Boys (Reading Fanazine)
"This fascinating subject provides an equally compelling read." --Programme monthly
This fascinating subject provides an equally compelling read. --Programme monthly
Product Description
Steve Coppell was one of England's most gifted wingers, who went on to become a successful manager. He led Crystal Palace during their halcyon era of the late 80s, briefly managed Manchester City before returning to Palace and winning promotion again. He then held the reins during difficult times at both Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion, but was on the brink of winning another promotion with the Seagulls when he took the job at Reading. Blessed with an ability to spot raw talent such as Kevin Doyle and Steven Hunt, Coppell led the Royals into the top flight for the first time in their history with a record points tally. Reading took the Premier League by storm, finishing just outside the European places. Sadly they wilted in their second season and slumped to relegation, and then failed to win a return straight back into the big time in 2008/09. Following Coppell's resignation as Reading manager in May 2009, Stuart Roach went on a journey to discover the real Steve Coppell. From his humble origins on Merseyside to his glamour move to Old Trafford and into the England side, Coppell proved an exciting winger, capable of creating scoring opportunities for his strikers. But a cruel injury cut his career dead and Coppell reinvented himself as the then youngest ever Football League manager at the age of 28. This book will reveal what lies beneath Coppell's famously cool exterior, why his manager at Manchester United Tommy Docherty christened him "the number 27 bus", what Coppell gained from taking an Economics degree from the University of Liverpool and how he nearly caused a rift in the marriage of Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson! Features contributions from major figures in Coppell's career such as John Madejski, Ian Wright, Jonathan Pearce, Mark Bright, Martin Buchan, Dick Knight, Ron Noades, Alan Pardew, Lou Macari, Bobby Zamora and Graeme Murty.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book - a must for all Reading F.C. fans,
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This review is from: Steve Coppell: On a Wing and a Prayer (Hardcover)
This is a very well researched and written book which provides a hugely interesting insight into one of the most respected men in football. It does nothing but enhance his reputation even more. I thoroughly recommend it especially if you are a Reading fan or even a Bristol City fan!
4.0 out of 5 stars
A man who lets his football do the talking,
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This review is from: Steve Coppell: On a Wing and a Prayer (Hardcover)
Before reading this book I didn't realise just how good a manager Steve Coppell is. The success he brought to a series of unfashionable clubs is remarkable, perhaps making him the best English born manager over the last twenty years or so. Likewise I had forgotten that he was also one of the outstanding players of his generation; had he not been forced to hang up his boots early his 42 caps for England would surely have risen to nearer 100 had his career been allowed to continue injury free.Perhaps the reason that Steve Coppell dual careers have been relatively low key is because that is exactly how he likes it; never one for self promotion, he prefers to do his talking on the pitch rather than in front of the camera. As a manager he certainly isn't one of the Alex Ferguson style `hairdryer brigade' neither. We read in this book about the time his Reading team was trailing 1-0 at half time when playing Derby. Whereas many managers would have ranted & raved at his players (and thrown the odd teacup) Coppell calmly told them he was disappointed with them. This obviously stung the players deeply as responded by storming back in the second half to win 5-1. One episode of Coppell's managerial career that this book covers extremely well is his ill-fated 33 day reign at the helm of Manchester City. Many rumours went around as to why he resigned after such a small length of time and the real reason still is unknown but I think the author, Stuart Roach's, conclusion that it was simply a case of the wrong club at the wrong time is probably not too far off the mark. This is an extremely readable book about one of footballs more reserved characters. If I had one grumble it is that the book suggests that Coppell is an enigma. I don't believe this to be true; because of his academic background (he holds a degree in Economics which he studied for whilst playing part-time for Manchester United) he his simply quieter and more cerebral than the average manager. His speed of thought means he doesn't have a shout his mouth off to make a point, but that doesn't make him an enigma.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A decent book about a thoroughly decent man!,
By
This review is from: Steve Coppell: On a Wing and a Prayer (Hardcover)
Stuart Roach's investigation to find the real Steve Coppell in his book `On a wing and a prayer', proved entertaining and interesting. Having read the book very quickly, I was intrigued to see behind the headlines of a career that was successful both on and off the pitch. Roach's style jumps between Coppell's playing and management careers, but in a fashion that does not make the reader's head spin.Steve Coppell the player is covered methodically with interesting insights into how Coppell juggled life as a student and a part time professional footballer in his early playing days. Watch out for the anecdote about the FA Cup being dented, but pay close attention to the details of Coppell's England career, which included the 1982 World Cup in Spain. The sadness of Coppell's forced retirement is covered in a poignant diary that Coppell wrote in his final year as a professional, but the circumstances of Coppell's career ending perhaps go furthest to understanding why he became such a good manager. As a player with exceptional talent, Coppell's playing days were cruelly ended after a recurring knee injury proved impossible to overcome. At the age of 28 Coppell was forced to channel his energies into becoming a brilliant manager, through a mixture of hurt and determination following retirement at such a young age. The same scenario occurred with Brian Clough, who proved so successful as a manager after his playing career was also cruelly cut down by a knee injury. The desire to succeed in management was clear for Coppell and Roach's book details all the perspectives of Coppell's management career. Plenty of famous football names lend their appreciation to Coppell's management skills as well. Tommy Docherty; Alan Pardew; Brian Barwick; Martin Buchan and Graeme Murty all have input into the Steve Coppell story. As the author of a book on the career of a Reading legend, Roach's style is different from other football writers. Roach cleverly blends a playing career that saw action for Manchester United and England with a management career that scaled the heights of the top flight with so called less fashionable football clubs. The end product is a good read that will interest all football fans, but also further reinforces Coppell's reputation not just as a football success, but as an admired and thoroughly respected football man. By Stuart Croucher. Special thanks to Stuart Roach and Know the Score books.
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