This Is How It Feels: An English Football Miracle

Joe Royle's story of taking over Oldham Athletic in 1982 is one of the great untold football miracles of all time. With three million people unemployed and Britain on the verge of taking the Falkland Islands back from the Argentine invaders, Royle was tasked with saving the club from bankruptcy. Despite having no experience as a manager, Royle managed to lead Oldham to the summit of the English game, winning the FA Cup in 1985. This is a story of harder and often-happier times when small clubs could dream big, and it is being celebrated in the 30th anniversary year of Royle's revolution.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 26 August 2021
\n Publisher: Reach plc
\n

Hard Shoulder,M62 Eastbound,June 1982...Britain is on the verge of taking the Falkland Islands back from the Argentine invaders, Margaret Thatcher is three years into her tenure at 10 Downing Street and for the first time since the 1930s, three million people are unemployed – with the nation reeling from recession. One of those searching for a job is standing at the side of the motorway which links the north of England's east and west coasts with his thumb out. Newly-retired former Everton, Manchester City and England striker Joe Royle is trying to hitch a lift to Boundary Park for what he thinks is an interview for the post of manager at backwater Oldham Athletic. Behind him, smoke pours from his broken-down cars engine. After a passing lorry takes him the rest of the way, Royle is told that the job is his – and that he will have to sell a player or the club will go bust. Later that day, bailiffs drop in and eye up his office furniture. That night he is in his own garage, stenciling the initials of players' names on training kit as the reality of the task in hand hits home.

What happened next is one of the great, untold football miracles of all time as unfancied Oldham emerged from the shadows of their illustrious Manchester neighbours and embarked on a thrilling, white knuckle ride to the summit of the English game.

This is a story that has not been told before. It is a time when the impossible was possible, long before the vast millions in broadcast money arrived and the creation of the Premier League changed football in England forever. A time when an astute manager and wily chairman could scour the big clubs for castoffs and achieve the unachievable. It is something that will never be repeated and, in these times of huge salaries and commercial excess, is a tale of harder and yet often-hilarious times.

Royle's first task was to assemble a team of players who were willing to work for him and who had the talent to compete at the highest level. He scoured the lower leagues and found a group of players who were hungry for success and who were willing to put in the hard work required to achieve it.

One of the key players Royle signed was Kevin Keegan, a young striker who had been released by Liverpool. Keegan was a raw talent but had the potential to be a great player. Royle worked with Keegan and helped him develop his skills and confidence.

Another key player Royle signed was Trevor Francis, a midfielder who had been released by Nottingham Forest. Francis was a experienced player who had played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Royle worked with Francis and helped him rediscover his form.

Royle's team started the season slowly but gradually improved. They won their first game of the season and went on to win several more. They reached the FA Cup semi-finals and were only narrowly beaten by Arsenal.

The success of Royle's team attracted the attention of the big clubs. Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal were all interested in signing Royle's players. Royle refused to sell his players and instead built a team of young players who were willing to work for him and who had the potential to become great players.

Royle's team continued to improve and in 1986 they won the FA Cup. They were the first team from outside the top four divisions to win the FA Cup in over 100 years.

The success of Royle's team had a huge impact on the English game. It showed that it was possible for a team from a small town to compete with the biggest clubs in the world. It also showed that it was possible for a team to be successful without spending vast amounts of money on players.

Royle's team continued to be successful in the years that followed. They won the League Cup in 1988 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1989. They were the first team from outside the top four divisions to win a European trophy.

Royle's success as a manager was not just due to his ability to assemble a team of talented players. He was also a great leader and motivator. He was always willing to put in the hard work required to achieve success and he was always willing to take risks.

Royle's success as a manager has had a lasting impact on the English game. He has inspired a generation of young managers and players. He has shown that it is possible to be successful without spending vast amounts of money on players and that it is possible to achieve success through hard work and dedication.

In conclusion, the story of Joe Royle and Oldham Athletic is one of the great, untold football miracles of all time. It is a story of a team that emerged from the shadows of their illustrious Manchester neighbours and embarked on a thrilling, white knuckle ride to the summit of the English game. It is a story of a time when the impossible was possible, long before the vast millions in broadcast money arrived and the creation of the Premier League changed football in England forever. It is a tale of harder and yet often-hilarious times.

Joe Royle's success as a manager was not just due to his ability to assemble a team of talented players. He was also a great leader and motivator. He was always willing to put in the hard work required to achieve success and he was always willing to take risks.

Royle's success as a manager has had a lasting impact on the English game. He has inspired a generation of young managers and players. He has shown that it is possible to be successful without spending vast amounts of money on players and that it is possible to achieve success through hard work and dedication.

\n Weight: 548g\n
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 31 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781914197246\n \n