DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 6 September 2011 Posted 6 September 2011 But surely O'Farrell would have had to deal with some "big personalities" in our dressing room at the time. I'm thinking late 60's early 70's the likes of Shilton, Clark, Carlin. Rodrigus,Lockhead. I am glad you brought up Carlins' name. Willie was a £45,000, bargain buy from Derby. What he lacked in height, he made up for with skill and tenacity, along with his other pint sized team mate, Bobby Kellard, who came from Bristol City, Surprisingly, they were half backs, but they were both, bloody fantastic, and would be crowd favourites, if they were playing today.
John Matrix Posted 6 September 2011 Posted 6 September 2011 Interesting piece in today's Daily Mail about O'Farrell To be Frank with United Former Manchester United manager Frank O'Farrell was set to bring out his autobiography A Nice Day for an Execution, based on his turbulent 18 months in the Old Trafford hot seat, in the late Seventies. But the threat of legal action by United, especially over criticisms of his predecessor Sir Matt Busby, saw the book mothballed. Now, 40 years on from his brief time in charge of United, the 83-year-old will finally see publication of the Frank O'Farrell Story, now subtitled All Change at Old Trafford. It charts his strained relationship with Sir Matt and dealings with the holy trinity of Best, Law and Charlton. Don't count on it being sold at Old Trafford. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2034120/Charles-Sale-Phillips-Idowu-airport-snub-Charles-Van-Commenee.html#ixzz1XAkzXSDr be interested to read that
Howard Riley Posted 7 September 2011 Author Posted 7 September 2011 If you want to read it you can get it from here... I've just ordered mine I'll tell you what I think in a few weeks.. http://www.backpassmagazine.co.uk/book.html
The Doctor Posted 7 September 2011 Posted 7 September 2011 Did Richie Norman play in the O'Farrell team? I guess Colin Appleton had already left!!!!! What are Appleton, Norman and Howard Riley up to these days anyone know? Richie Norman works part-time at Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College - he was one of my teachers for the last two years.
Howard Riley Posted 7 September 2011 Author Posted 7 September 2011 What about Howard Riley where is he these days? And Colin Appleton? and for that matter Shilts
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 7 September 2011 Posted 7 September 2011 What about Howard Riley where is he these days? And Colin Appleton? and for that matter Shilts Saw Shilts on T.V. about six weeks ago, talking about players of the seventies.
stockyfox Posted 7 September 2011 Posted 7 September 2011 When Frank O'Farrell was appointed Man Utd manager, I was a teacher at Stretford Boys Grammar. It was the custom of the Headmaster, to arrange for some local dignity to address the Wednesday morning assembly and it was no surprise when, with his strong connections with Man Utd. four or five weeks after being appointed as their new manager, our guest speaker was Frank O'Farrell. You could have heard a pin drop in the school hall that day. As for me, I listened to this quietly spoken person but with mixed feelings. I still felt cheated, angry and frustrated that Manchester United had stolen and kidnapped our manager who had just got us promoted back to Divsion 1. After the departure of Matt Gillies in November'68 , the City Board had had to decide between Frank O'Farrell, manager of Torquay United and Allan Brown, manager of Luton Town. O'Farrell had been attracting much interest and was earning a growing reputation as being potentially one of the brightest prospects in management. They went for O'Farrell. Brown was then sacked by Luton for having applied for thejob and he subsequently went to Torquay to replace O'Farrell. Appointed in December '68, O'Farrell's first six months brought success in leading the City to Wembley FA Cup Final but despair with us being relegated to Division 2,ironically losing 3-2 at Old Trafford in the last match of the season. However,he eventually redeemed his reputation by getting City promoted in '71. Meanwhile,it came to pass that Manchester United were not enjoying the kind of success that they had become used to. The Busby era had closed two years earlier on the back of United's winning the European Cup but under Wilf McGuinness, things had not gone well and if they are not going well at Old Trafford then there is no sympathy. Now, not just anybody can be manager of Man Utd. He must have the right background and the appropriate credentials. So they surveyed the scene and decided that their next manager would be Frank O'Farrell. I don't think he actually applied for the job unless he was ordered to by Man Utd. He was head-hunted by United and Leicester was obliged to let him go. I don't think he wanted to leave but if United decide that that is who they want, then that is the end of the matter. Full Stop!. After that assembly, I did manage to get a brief word with him, explaining that although over six hundred boys and all the staff thought he was marvellous, I,as a Leicester City fan, had been gutted, disappointed and even disgusted that he had left Leicester - to which I didn't get a real answer. What I didn't know at the time was what a superb replacement we were getting withJimmy Bloomfield!
accessory Posted 7 September 2011 Posted 7 September 2011 What about Howard Riley where is he these days? And Colin Appleton? and for that matter Shilts See my previous reply on Colin Appleton. Howard Riley is living in retirement in Wigston.
Howard Riley Posted 7 October 2011 Author Posted 7 October 2011 Read a bit in the Mercury about him. Here's a question for the older fans.. Can anyone explain how we reached the 1969 FA Cup Final yet in the same season got relegated ? Was it down to injuries or the state of our pitch?
crazylegs1984 Posted 7 October 2011 Posted 7 October 2011 obviously im winding you up so calm yaself paulo sousa he was a born winner wish he had never got fired , and we are stuck with silly sven the only way is down!!!!!!
foxaholic Posted 7 October 2011 Posted 7 October 2011 That wasn`t the fault of Bloomfield though. That was because the club appointed Frank McLintock, who had absolutely no managerial experience, and was completely out of his depth, and actually broke up the Bloomfield team, and replaced them with the likes of, Lammie Robertson from 4th division Exeter, John Ridley from Port Vale, Alan Waddle a reserve from Liverpool, and an over the hill George Armstrong from Arsenal. Don`t even get me started on Roger bloody Davies. McLintock really had no idea. Under Bloomfield, we actually finished 12th, 16th, 9th, 18th, 7th and 11th, and won the charity shield against Liverpool.. Only in 1974/75 season, did we really struggle, and even then we were pretty much safe with 3 or 4 games to go. We also reached the FA Cup semi final in 1974, and was unfortunate to be drawn against a great Liverpool team in the semis. If we had been drawn against Burnley or Newcastle, i honestly believe we would have made it to the final. The season Bloomfield was sacked, we were actually challenging for europe, going into May, but lost the last 3 games, including a 5-0 hammering, that we took at home to west brom, when we were ripped apart by Laurie Cunningham. It was after that game that i seem to remember the fans starting to turn on Bloomfield. Bloomfield had built a team that had raised our expectations, and in the end, that was what done for him. The opinion that we only turned it on about 6 times a season, and then only for the tv cameras, doesn`t tally with my memories of that time, and seems a bit harsh. What i will say though, is that we had some big personalities at the club in those days, and i`m not sure that Bloomfield was able to keep them in check, as well as might have been best for the club. Bloomfield was not sacked he saw his 5 year contract out. Gillies and Bloomfield sideswerealwaysa delight to watch and Gillies dideven better than Martin Oneill and Bloomfield league wise compared. That wasn`t the fault of Bloomfield though. That was because the club appointed Frank McLintock, who had absolutely no managerial experience, and was completely out of his depth, and actually broke up the Bloomfield team, and replaced them with the likes of, Lammie Robertson from 4th division Exeter, John Ridley from Port Vale, Alan Waddle a reserve from Liverpool, and an over the hill George Armstrong from Arsenal. Don`t even get me started on Roger bloody Davies. McLintock really had no idea. Under Bloomfield, we actually finished 12th, 16th, 9th, 18th, 7th and 11th, and won the charity shield against Liverpool.. Only in 1974/75 season, did we really struggle, and even then we were pretty much safe with 3 or 4 games to go. We also reached the FA Cup semi final in 1974, and was unfortunate to be drawn against a great Liverpool team in the semis. If we had been drawn against Burnley or Newcastle, i honestly believe we would have made it to the final. The season Bloomfield was sacked, we were actually challenging for europe, going into May, but lost the last 3 games, including a 5-0 hammering, that we took at home to west brom, when we were ripped apart by Laurie Cunningham. It was after that game that i seem to remember the fans starting to turn on Bloomfield. Bloomfield had built a team that had raised our expectations, and in the end, that was what done for him. The opinion that we only turned it on about 6 times a season, and then only for the tv cameras, doesn`t tally with my memories of that time, and seems a bit harsh. What i will say though, is that we had some big personalities at the club in those days, and i`m not sure that Bloomfield was able to keep them in check, as well as might have been best for the club. Bloomfield was not sacked he saw his 5 year contract out. Gillies and Bloomfield sideswerealwaysa delight to watch and Gillies dideven better than Martin Oneill and Bloomfield league wise compared.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 7 October 2011 Posted 7 October 2011 Read a bit in the Mercury about him. Here's a question for the older fans.. Can anyone explain how we reached the 1969 FA Cup Final yet in the same season got relegated ? Was it down to injuries or the state of our pitch? No, it was not due to injuries, so far as I can remember. For some reason we lost games, that we could have won, but although we had some fine players, we also had a few average ones too. Rodney Fern, Ally Brown etc. The F.A. Cup was something that took the pressure off poor league results, We were recognized in the sixties as a great Cup side, who got quite fired up in these competitions.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 7 October 2011 Posted 7 October 2011 Bloomfield was not sacked he saw his 5 year contract out. Gillies and Bloomfield sideswerealwaysa delight to watch and Gillies dideven better than Martin Oneill and Bloomfield league wise compared. Bloomfield was not sacked he saw his 5 year contract out. Gillies and Bloomfield sideswerealwaysa delight to watch and Gillies dideven better than Martin Oneill and Bloomfield league wise compared. Absolutely correct. The brand of football was top quality. Players in those days had more freedom to use their skills, and play their natural game. Since then, players true ability has been lost, for the most part, due to coaching methods, and playing systems. The emphasis was far more on attack, than it is these days.
Pegosteve Posted 8 October 2011 Posted 8 October 2011 No, it was not due to injuries, so far as I can remember. For some reason we lost games, that we could have won, but although we had some fine players, we also had a few average ones too. Rodney Fern, Ally Brown etc. The F.A. Cup was something that took the pressure off poor league results, We were recognized in the sixties as a great Cup side, who got quite fired up in these competitions. Also think we had 4 games to play in May after we had lost Cup Final last Sat in April. Needed a point at Old Trafford on the last game and lost 3-2, Cov eventually finding themselves fortunate to survive (became a regular occurrence for them!) Bloomfield's subsequent team was probably the best in my 44 years of following the City. I know MON had the most success but the football played by Bloomfield was just sublime!!
Ambitious Posted 9 October 2011 Posted 9 October 2011 Back in 1994, when Brian Little left, if he'd have stayed we may have stayed up in that 1994/1995 season and built from it. But looking at how his career has gone downhill over the last 17 years it was maybe a good thing that he left when he did. Martin O'Neil was a huge loss, and a massive factor in the reason we've been outside the top tier since his departure, I along with everyone else was upset when he left for Celtic, but the fact remains he took us as far as he could, with the pathetic budgets he was given throughout his reign. To take us any further he needed a lot more investment in the playing staff, and with the new stadium opening in 2 years, the board were obviously unwilling to do this. Unless a multi billionaire bought us, he was never gonna stay. It was a shame to lose Micky Adams, but again was given pathetic budgets to work with, at the time of his departure it was upsetting but looking at his career performance afterwards, it was maybe a good thing that he left when he did. Craig Levein should have been given more time, he could have turned it around, he should have been given the FA Cup 2006 5th Round match against Southampton, I thought it was harsh not to. Rob Kelly was given pathetic budgets, and I would have liked to have seen what he could have achieved with some money to spend. The way Martin Allen was treated was disgusting, I feel he'd have done well if he'd have stayed, 3 games is not enough. I don't think Gary Megson would have taken us down, even though I'm not a big fan of the wet blanket, Mandaric should not have allowed him to go, especially for 300k. Although Ian Holloway had to go for taking us into the 3rd tier for the first time in our history, I feel he'd have been able to match his successor Nigel Pearson's achievements if he'd have stayed. It would have been good to see what Nigel Pearson would have done last season, if he'd have stayed. I think Paulo Sousa should have been given until December, although again e insight indicates it was a good move getting rid when we did.
Howard Riley Posted 14 October 2011 Author Posted 14 October 2011 As some of you know I work up north. This was in the local rag earlier this week.... http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1461549_former-reds-boss-frank-ofarrell-talks-about-taking-over-from-the-great-sir-matt-busby
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 14 October 2011 Posted 14 October 2011 As some of you know I work up north. This was in the local rag earlier this week.... http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1461549_former-reds-boss-frank-ofarrell-talks-about-taking-over-from-the-great-sir-matt-busby It was disgusting the way Utd. treated him. He had no chance to build the side. Times haven't changed much, have they, in football?
Howard Riley Posted 26 October 2011 Author Posted 26 October 2011 I've just finished the book an excellent read. Loved the story about how Frank forced Len Glover to stay up in Leicester after a defeat rather than going back to his home in London so he was forced to read all the stick the players were getting in the Mercury rather than avoiding it. Those are the small but very important touches a Manager can bring to a a side. I hope Sven's successor gets the little touches right, it can make a hell of a difference.
accessory Posted 26 October 2011 Posted 26 October 2011 I've just finished the book an excellent read. Loved the story about how Frank forced Len Glover to stay up in Leicester after a defeat rather than going back to his home in London so he was forced to read all the stick the players were getting in the Mercury rather than avoiding it. Those are the small but very important touches a Manager can bring to a a side. I hope Sven's successor gets the little touches right, it can make a hell of a difference. Maybe in this day and age a better method would be to make players read Foxestalk (or in some cases have posts read to them). That may help bring them back into the real world.
adam1 Posted 26 October 2011 Posted 26 October 2011 I have dug out and re read the George Best biography. I will try and scan the relevant pages on O'Farrell into a pdf which can be downloaded. It will be after this weekend though (the little matter of 3points at WHU and a few job apps).
Howard Riley Posted 27 October 2011 Author Posted 27 October 2011 I didn't realise until reading O'Farrell's book that Manchester United's players had been offered a cash incentive by Coventry's Manager Noel Cantwell to beat us in that last match of the 1969 season. Obviously if United beat us Coventry stayed up. Can you imagine what would have happened to Cantwell if that story had got out at the time.
Howard Riley Posted 1 November 2011 Author Posted 1 November 2011 I notice his book got another mention in today's (NOV 1ST) Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2055916/Frank-exchange-Sir-Matt-Busbys-Manchester-United-exit--Charles-Sale.html
accessory Posted 1 November 2011 Posted 1 November 2011 I didn't realise until reading O'Farrell's book that Manchester United's players had been offered a cash incentive by Coventry's Manager Noel Cantwell to beat us in that last match of the 1969 season. Obviously if United beat us Coventry stayed up. Can you imagine what would have happened to Cantwell if that story had got out at the time. Probably not the only time that happened - especially involving the sky blues...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.