Too Good to be Forgotten: Three Wise Men from Football’s Golden Era by Ben Dobson

The story of three of English football’s greatest managers – Brian Clough, Bobby Robson, and Lawrie McMenemy – and the provincial sides they led to national success.

Foreword by legendary footballer Russell Osman, who played for Ipswich, Southampton, and England.

Too Good to be Forgotten revisits the ten years from 1975 to 1985, the last sustained period when local teams could challenge the hegemony of major big-city football clubs in England.

With in-depth research, interviews from players at the time, and extensive personal experience of the time, author Ben Dobson, looks at the impact these incredible managers – Brian Clough, Bobby Robson, and Lawrie McMenemy – had on the sport and their local communities.

The book includes:

Interviews and contributions from nine players from the time, as well as fans of the era, that offer a fresh perspective on this golden decade

A look at how the leadership and management of these great coaches are relevant today

An examination of the idiosyncrasies and striking similarities in these three wise men of the North East and how they led their teams to national success

A glimpse into the author’s personal experience of growing up as a Southampton fan and resident, and the impact the side’s success had on his own psychology and mental health

Perfect for English football fans, this is a must-read story that goes beyond statistics and results – this is a story about unprecedented sporting success in local communities and the men who brought hope to fans nationwide.

(Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd. February 2024. Hardcover: 256 pages)

 

Buy the book here: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop