Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson's appointment as Manchester United manager, this book looks at the times prior to (and just after) the Scotsman's arrival when things were very different at Old Trafford. Aside from two FA Cups the 80s was a lean decade for a club steeped in tradition and talent and fans had to watch on as arch rivals Liverpool dominate the Englsish and European stage. Andy Mitten has interviewed eleven United stars from the 80s and this is their story, always candid and often very funny, of what it was like at Old Trafford in the Sexton, Atkinson and Ferguson eras. The games, the bust ups, the managers, the drinking and gambling are all covered in this look at a period before football became big business and players multi-millionaires.
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A terrific antidote to the banal sporting autobiography.
-- Ian Hawkey, Sunday Times
Full of great anecdotes, detail and colour, bringing back just
what it was like following United in the pre-Ferguson era. -- Michael Crick
Utterly compelling! -- Daniel Taylor, The Guardian
jaw-dropping, enraging, staggering and alarming, but always,
always charged with affection and enthusiasm, this is what nostalgia is all
about. -- Jim White, Daily Telegraph
-- Ian Hawkey, Sunday Times
Full of great anecdotes, detail and colour, bringing back just
what it was like following United in the pre-Ferguson era. -- Michael Crick
Utterly compelling! -- Daniel Taylor, The Guardian
jaw-dropping, enraging, staggering and alarming, but always,
always charged with affection and enthusiasm, this is what nostalgia is all
about. -- Jim White, Daily Telegraph
About the Author
Andy Mitten - whose great uncle Charlie Mitten was a star in Matt Busby's first great side - writes regularly for The Independent and FourFourTwo magazine. He has visited 90 countries and every continent as a football writer, covering derby games from Israel to the Faroes and Andorra to South Africa. He has also interviewed players such as Rooney, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Eto'o, Keane and Gerrard. Born and red in Manchester, Andy currently divides his time between M16 and Barcelona, scene of United's greatest triumph.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Saul Richman
Format:Hardcover
I wrote a review for this in 2007, but I think I used some industrial language from the book itself and the review never got published!
Here we go again: I loved this book because I really felt I was sitting right next to Andy Mitten and my heroes from the 80s listening in and asking them questions. Mitten creates a cosy, almost "cuddly" atmosphere in his writing and asks the right questions at the right time. The whole book is so smooth and easy to read.
Difficult to choose a favourite chapter, but Clayton Blackmore's wise words about his father "I've not told him I love him yet" impressed me greatly from a man who I knew had a great right foot (and a nice suntan!) but I had thought was a Welsh scally. Clayton, I was wrong about you. Sorry.
Missing chapters? Remi Moses. I can guess Andy tried to contact him, but was "chubbed".
OK, let's see if Amazon can publish this review - no rude words this time!
Here we go again: I loved this book because I really felt I was sitting right next to Andy Mitten and my heroes from the 80s listening in and asking them questions. Mitten creates a cosy, almost "cuddly" atmosphere in his writing and asks the right questions at the right time. The whole book is so smooth and easy to read.
Difficult to choose a favourite chapter, but Clayton Blackmore's wise words about his father "I've not told him I love him yet" impressed me greatly from a man who I knew had a great right foot (and a nice suntan!) but I had thought was a Welsh scally. Clayton, I was wrong about you. Sorry.
Missing chapters? Remi Moses. I can guess Andy tried to contact him, but was "chubbed".
OK, let's see if Amazon can publish this review - no rude words this time!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Truly excellent! From the poignant story of Billy Garton to the swagger of 'Big Ron's' remembrances this paints a picture not only of a Manchester United that has disappeared but of a whole world of football that has gone too!
For all fans who were there and can remember the Ralph Milnes, Russell Beardsmores, and Peter Davenports of United in the 1980s. The trips to QPR, Luton, and Forest this is an absolute must read.
Fantastic again Andy!
For all fans who were there and can remember the Ralph Milnes, Russell Beardsmores, and Peter Davenports of United in the 1980s. The trips to QPR, Luton, and Forest this is an absolute must read.
Fantastic again Andy!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sadly there are a number of Manchester United fans (not really supporters) who actually DO think that Manchester United began in 1993. For me this book brings to light those barren years when, though we had some truly great players, we won relatively little.
I think the author has handled the subject brilliantly and it deserves to be read by every person who calls themselves a supporter of Manchester United.
I think the author has handled the subject brilliantly and it deserves to be read by every person who calls themselves a supporter of Manchester United.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Steve
Format:Hardcover
Those of you who know your history will recognise the authors name - sends a tingle down my spine everytime I open one of Andy's books, if I'm honest.
Crammed with fantastic memories from pre-Sky football, if you're like me and think football ain't like it was 15, 10, even 5 years ago, you'll love the irridescence and swagger of our reminiscing brylcreamed narrator. You can almost smell the sweaty burgers and imagine the first strains of 'Sally Cinnamon' playing over the tannoy as Remmer Moses walks out on the pitch at the theater.
Although these were barren, empty years for the club with only a smattering of domestic and European trophies, it transports you back to a better time for all true fans where the forecourt wasn't just a place the directors parked their BMW's.
In a word, SUBLIME.
Crammed with fantastic memories from pre-Sky football, if you're like me and think football ain't like it was 15, 10, even 5 years ago, you'll love the irridescence and swagger of our reminiscing brylcreamed narrator. You can almost smell the sweaty burgers and imagine the first strains of 'Sally Cinnamon' playing over the tannoy as Remmer Moses walks out on the pitch at the theater.
Although these were barren, empty years for the club with only a smattering of domestic and European trophies, it transports you back to a better time for all true fans where the forecourt wasn't just a place the directors parked their BMW's.
In a word, SUBLIME.
By Paul Longden
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great read focussed on the players from that era when we didn't win everything in sight. John Gidman was my favorite player.
By John
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Andy Mitten's book takes you right back to the days of Ron Atkinson's time at United with interviews from those who were in the know - the players. Andy's knack for interviewing the stars of the eighties in his easy relaxed style makes you think you are sitting with them as they regale their tales. I enjoyed all 11 interviews of the famous Man United, and would highly recommend that you read them too.
By M. Guillard
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great read and insight into some of the players from the 80's. Whilst not all the big names are here the stories are an eye opener. I'll be getting the rest of series.
By King Eric
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Andy Mitten's book is a great collection of interviews with players from United sides of the 80's and not just the big names(Robbo, Bailey, Stapleton, Whiteside, McQueen) but also with some of the players who never became fan favourites (Alan Brazil). There are some great stories, reminisces and a lot about the drinking culture that existed at the time and which a number of the players felt damaged the team chances of wining the league during that decade especially under Big Ron. All the players interviewed come across as decent lads and tell Andy some cracking stories about their time at united. I enjoyed this so much i have ordered Andys other books on the 90's Glory Glory and the 70's United United. I don't think you have to be United fan to enjoy this book but being a fan you will wallow in the nostalgia.
Listmania!
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