Yeah, it's pretty good. Used to pop in there a few years back but not been in for some time now.
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Tony Coton
- Thread starter GaudinosWheels
- Start date
Yeah, it's pretty good. Used to pop in there a few years back but not been in for some time now.
A few years back on Twitter, Franny Lee suggested he was up for writing an autobiography. Whatever you think of him, if done properly with the assistance of the right ghostwriter (such as @Gary James ), that would have the potential to be a fascinating read with a lot of revelations. On the other hand, you fear that he might get some old journo mate to do it, who'd lack the knowledge of the off-field workings of a football club to do justice to his time as chairman. Although no doubt we'd get lots of amusing anecdotes about the lads getting pissed with Malcolm in the late sixties.
Gary James
Well-Known Member
I have spoken with Francis numerous times about writing his biography - I'd only do a biog not ghost write an autobiography as it would allow me to challenge him on some points and also to put into perspective a few things. To cut a long story short, I understand he is actually writing an autobiography himself. Who knows what it will be like but I'm sure it'll be interesting.A few years back on Twitter, Franny Lee suggested he was up for writing an autobiography. Whatever you think of him, if done properly with the assistance of the right ghostwriter (such as @Gary James ), that would have the potential to be a fascinating read with a lot of revelations. On the other hand, you fear that he might get some old journo mate to do it, who'd lack the knowledge of the off-field workings of a football club to do justice to his time as chairman. Although no doubt we'd get lots of amusing anecdotes about the lads getting pissed with Malcolm in the late sixties.
On Tony Coton's.... not had chance to read it yet but I know an awful lot of work has gone into it and there are some facts about City and Coton which had to be included which may surprise some. I hope it sells well.
nmc
Well-Known Member
I have spoken with Francis numerous times about writing his biography - I'd only do a biog not ghost write an autobiography as it would allow me to challenge him on some points and also to put into perspective a few things. To cut a long story short, I understand he is actually writing an autobiography himself. Who knows what it will be like but I'm sure it'll be interesting.
On Tony Coton's.... not had chance to read it yet but I know an awful lot of work has gone into it and there are some facts about City and Coton which had to be included which may surprise some. I hope it sells well.
I think a good punchy biography of FHL would potentially be a damn good read but I fear an autobiography would be Francis telling it how he'd want us to hear it. Francis is a real optimist but he sometimes scares over the facts when they don't suit his narrative. His time as Chairman wasn't a success and he clearly didn't have the financial resources to stop the financial slide started by Swales et al. I'd love the inside track on that woeful period for the club, Ball, Coppell, Clarke but I don't think Francis is the man to tell us.
Gary James
Well-Known Member
Why would someone write their life story that incriminated himself into all the dodgy dealings that went on there during his watch? It would see him stripped of his FA Council blazer (and all the freebie England games that go with it) and most likely dumped as club president and the tag ''Mr Manchester City''.
He knows where the bodies are buried and that is where they shall remain.
As time moves on people forget how many of us felt in the 70s/80s/90s. Bernard tells some great stories - I've heard many of them - and an autobiography would allow him to promote his own interests, issues and views. Good luck to him if he does that but it would never be a frank assessment of his time at City of course.
I will say this - back in 1994 I approached Peter Swales about writing a book on the period from Mercer leaving to Franny's takeover. I wanted Swales' views. I had spoken against Swales at an AGM and written a few articles and so I was astounded when he sent me a note saying he'd love to help. I interviewed him (it turned out to be the last he gave before he died) and I have to say he was pretty frank. I didn't believe some of what he said, but he did seem relatively truthful. He was also extremely hurt that some of the men who were at his side (and in some cases given opportunities by him) prior to the Lee takeover, immediately swapped sides and supported the new chairman. He couldn't understand that. He also revealed that other leading clubs had been in touch and asked him on to their Boards but he couldn't do it - his love of City was too much.
Now I've been (and continue to be) a Swales critic, pointing out his flaws, errors etc. but I have to say that he truly believed that everything he did was to make City great. He failed - and admitted this on tape - but couldn't understand why others hadn't gone down with him. I became somewhat sympathetic to his views but still remain critical of his reign of course.
super_city_si
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2007
- Messages
- 47,703
Brilliant goalie. Couldn't believe it when he left.
Mad Eyed Screamer
Moderator
I seem to recall Blackpool were interested and also I remember a thing about West Brom and Eddie Phillips going with him to run their club shop.....As time moves on people forget how many of us felt in the 70s/80s/90s. Bernard tells some great stories - I've heard many of them - and an autobiography would allow him to promote his own interests, issues and views. Good luck to him if he does that but it would never be a frank assessment of his time at City of course.
I will say this - back in 1994 I approached Peter Swales about writing a book on the period from Mercer leaving to Franny's takeover. I wanted Swales' views. I had spoken against Swales at an AGM and written a few articles and so I was astounded when he sent me a note saying he'd love to help. I interviewed him (it turned out to be the last he gave before he died) and I have to say he was pretty frank. I didn't believe some of what he said, but he did seem relatively truthful. He was also extremely hurt that some of the men who were at his side (and in some cases given opportunities by him) prior to the Lee takeover, immediately swapped sides and supported the new chairman. He couldn't understand that. He also revealed that other leading clubs had been in touch and asked him on to their Boards but he couldn't do it - his love of City was too much.
Now I've been (and continue to be) a Swales critic, pointing out his flaws, errors etc. but I have to say that he truly believed that everything he did was to make City great. He failed - and admitted this on tape - but couldn't understand why others hadn't gone down with him. I became somewhat sympathetic to his views but still remain critical of his reign of course.
I think a good punchy biography of FHL would potentially be a damn good read but I fear an autobiography would be Francis telling it how he'd want us to hear it. Francis is a real optimist but he sometimes scares over the facts when they don't suit his narrative. His time as Chairman wasn't a success and he clearly didn't have the financial resources to stop the financial slide started by Swales et al. I'd love the inside track on that woeful period for the club, Ball, Coppell, Clarke but I don't think Francis is the man to tell us.
I think this is probably right. A biography with his cooperation would potentially be fascinating but an autobiography wouldn't be a rounded piece of work that would tell the story properly, I suspect. I've always wondered if Bernstein might not fancy writing about his involvement at City. He was vice-chairman from November 1994 (I think), brought in by Franny on the recommendation of a mutual friend to help prepare the club for a stock market flotation in line with the fashion at the time. I think there'd be a lot he could tell if he felt like it.
I will say this - back in 1994 I approached Peter Swales about writing a book on the period from Mercer leaving to Franny's takeover. I wanted Swales' views. I had spoken against Swales at an AGM and written a few articles and so I was astounded when he sent me a note saying he'd love to help. I interviewed him (it turned out to be the last he gave before he died) and I have to say he was pretty frank. I didn't believe some of what he said, but he did seem relatively truthful. He was also extremely hurt that some of the men who were at his side (and in some cases given opportunities by him) prior to the Lee takeover, immediately swapped sides and supported the new chairman. He couldn't understand that. He also revealed that other leading clubs had been in touch and asked him on to their Boards but he couldn't do it - his love of City was too much.
Now I've been (and continue to be) a Swales critic, pointing out his flaws, errors etc. but I have to say that he truly believed that everything he did was to make City great. He failed - and admitted this on tape - but couldn't understand why others hadn't gone down with him. I became somewhat sympathetic to his views but still remain critical of his reign of course.
A pity that book never saw the light of day as well.
On Tony Coton's.... not had chance to read it yet but I know an awful lot of work has gone into it and there are some facts about City and Coton which had to be included which may surprise some. I hope it sells well.
As for TC, I thought he was a great keeper for us. I remember my old man telling me that Trautmann used to make saves that left opposing strikers beating the ground in frustration, almost unable to believe that hadn't scored. TC achieved that a few times as well - one from Robert Rosario playing for Coventry, and one by the late Gary Speed when Leeds battered us 1-1 on the opening day of the season.
Working for a law firm in Manchester that did some work for City, I happened to be aware of some of the circumstances behind TC's departure from the club and always felt he got unfair stick for joining United. I guess he'll put his side of the story now.
Gary James
Well-Known Member
A pity that book never saw the light of day as well.
Sadly, more unpublished books in my PC than I've had published. The publishing world still doesn't value detailed, well researched books as much as it used to.