Former United and Villa boss set for visit
THE only English manager to win major trophies with three different clubs is coming for a special visit to Sligo next month.
Ron Atkinson is one of English football’s most recognisable and popular characters, having been involved in management for a quarter of a century.
He won trophies with Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, including two FA Cup titles with the Reds in the pre- Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The 77- year- old, who managed United from 1981 to 1986, retired from management in 1999, when he was Nottingham Forrest boss. He later became a commentator.
The visit, on December 12th next, is being organised by the Sligo Branch of the Manchester United Supporters Club.
Branch member Eddie Gray said: “We are delighted to announce our former manager Ron Atkinson is coming to Sligo. Big Ron has released a new book, which he will be signing along with holding a Q & A session in The Embassy Rooms, JFK Parade, at 7pm on Monday, December 12th.”
Eddie said this is a great occasion for all fans of football to meet and hear a manager from yesteryear.
“Of course Ron was United’s manager prior to Sir Alex Ferguson, but he also had great success with West Brom, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, as well as managing a lot of Irish players over his career- Moran, McGrath, Stapleton, Whiteside, Staunton, Townsend, Houghton.
“For this reason, this event is open to all football fans who may appreciate the chance to meet Ron,” he explained.
“His book is for sale at the moment in Sligo for € 20.00, we are selling tickets for this event for € 20.00 - which includes a free signed copy of his book, so for the price of the book, you will meet Ron, have him sign the book and have the opportunity to partake in the Questions & Answers session.”
He said everyone at the supporters club are gearing up for what should be an interesting evening as Ron recalls his stellar career in management.
“We are very much looking forward to having him in Sligo, and we hope fans will join us for what will be a great evening.
“If people have a family member who would like to join them, one ticket between them is sufficient.
“This is Ron’s only appearance outside of Dublin and we are hoping to make as best an impression as possible of Sligo.” Born in Liverpool in 1939, Ron’s family moved to Warwickshire when he was a child, where his football ability was recognised by Aston Villa; a club he would later manage.
After ending his playing career at Oxford United in 1971 at the age of 32, he was nicknamed The Tank. Ron began coaching with Kettering Town that same year, before moving to Cambridge United. He became manager of West Bromwich Albion in 1978, where he stayed until 1981 before taking charge at Manchester United.
Having developed his reputation at West Bromwich Albion as an advocate of expansive flair football, Ron would lead United to two FA Cup successes.
He later won the League Cup twice at Sheffield Wednesday and Villa and managed Atlético Madrid for the 1988/ 9 season. His last job was with Nottingham Forest in 1999 before he entered the world of punditry.
At West Bromwich Albion, he was one of the first managers to promote black footballers, including Laurie Cunningham, who went to Real Madrid, Cyrille Regis, who became an England international, and Brendon Batson MBE.
After retiring from management, Ron evolved into one of the most familiar and forthright commentators on football. Yet that career came to an end in April 2004 with a single, unguarded comment about the Chelsea defender, Marcel Desailly. Atkinson was labelled a racist and driven from the game he loves.
In his book, called The Manager, Ron delves into the highs and lows of an extraordinary career that took him from non- league football to Old Trafford’s theatre of dreams in the space of seven years.
He almost managed two Midlands clubs Villa and West Brom to the league title.
But behind the familiar image of the bling and one- line quips, Ron was – and remains – a deep observer of football and footballers.
He gives the full account of a life in football. From an awestruck youngster in 1950s Birmingham watching the supermen of Honved via a stalwart career as a lower league professional with Oxford to managing one of the biggest clubs in world football, Ron’s career has been a life less ordinary.
With detailed portraits of the men he worked with and against, including Bryan Robson, Paul McGrath, Sir Alex Ferguson and Dwight Yorke, Atkinson also discusses the rise of the foreign footballer; the decline of the English manager and what it is like to sing live at Ronnie Scott’s.
Eddie said: “If people would like a signed book but cannot make it to the event, we can arrange for Ron to sign a book for them.”
Ron’s visit to Sligo is the only one outside of Dublin and it should be an interesting, insightful evening into his stellar career.
So head along on Monday, December 12th, to hear Ron’s illustrious tales as he looks back on his managerial life, where he guided United to glory.