Premier League years book (1 Viewer)

Hi all,

I've written a book about the club's time in the Premier League. The 1992-93 season was when I really started following football and was when I had my first trip to Highfield Road (a dire 2-0 loss against Wimbledon). Those years hold special memories for me (as they do for lots of us, I'm sure) so I wanted to tell the story of those nine seasons. I've done this through interviews with key people from the time. The book features interviews with:

Bobby Gould, Big Ron, Gordon Strachan, Bryan Richardson, Graham Hover, Trevor Peake, Micky Gynn, Steve Ogrizovic, Jonathan Gould, Tony Sheridan, Willie Boland, Julian Darby, Dion Dublin, Brian Borrows, Peter Atherton, Robert Rosario, Mick Quinn, Stewart Robson, John Williams, Roy Wegerle, Cobi Jones, Peter Ndlovu, John Salako, Richard Shaw, Dave Busst, Stewart Linnell, Rob Gurney, Andy Turner, Jim Brown, Noel Whelan, Darren Huckerby, David Burrows, Gavin Strachan, Liam Daish, Ray Clarke, Marcus Hall, Trond Soltvedt, John Aloisi, Magnus Hedman, Simon Haworth, John Eustace, Barry Quinn, Youssef Chippo, Laurent Delorge, Steve Froggatt, Carlton Palmer, Cedric Roussel, Robbie Keane, David Thompson and John Hartson.

More details here: When the Sky Was Blue | Pitch Publishing

no_loyalty said:

Congratulations, hopefully we will be back in the Premier league when it’s released in August.

Click to expand...

Fingers crossed, even if it means a last minute re-write of the back cover text so that the book isn't out of date on release day!

It's all getting a little bit exciting - the book is out on Monday and my author copies arrived yesterday. I've had a great response from City fans so far, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone is as positive after reading it! It was a real labour of love to put together. I've tried to tell the story of those years through the quotes of the players and managers interviewed rather than putting myself in the story and just putting my opinion throughout. Stories inside include:

A punch up between an influential midfielder and his soon-to-be manager
The infamous pre-season trip to an army barracks
Insight into how we signed the likes of Dublin, Keane and Quinn - and how we missed out on Bowyer, Coleman and van Nistelrooy
What the players really thought of Big Ron's love of a training ground five-a-side (and which player Ron pretended to be in said games!)
When Gordon Strachan offered to step aside and how he was talked into staying
Steve Froggatt discussing his unfinished business at Highfield Road
Which player feels he was frozen out after an argument with Strachan 'went too far'
Oggy reflecting on his record-breaking time at the club
Accounts of key matches such as the opening day 3-0 thrashing of Arsenal, the day Chelsea forgot their kit and the Great Escape at White Hart Lane

That's just a few from the top of my head, obviously there's lots more besides. One thing I'm really pleased with is the cast of interviewees. I managed to speak to some real heroes from those days, including many that haven't spoken about the club a great deal since leaving. I've got to say, absolutely every single one of them spoke about Coventry with such warmth and fondness. Cedric Roussel was one of these and, of course, he tragically passed away between the book going to print and its release. I'd like to dedicate the book to Cedric and his family.

Anyway, I hope anyone who picks up a copy enjoys it. We've not had a bad start - this was the Amazon ranking last night; Number 1 in Premier League, that sounds good to me.

Hi all,

It's been absolutely amazing seeing fans picking up the book over the last couple of months. It is now also stocked in the club shop, which is a bit of a dream come true. I hope if anyone who picks up a copy enjoys it. I was lucky enough to be a guest on the Retro Football podcast last week, if you have a bit of time to kill and fancy listening to some memories about Cov in the 90s, here's the link:



Thanks all!