The fascinating and often enlightening story of the English Football League’s first black football manager
Tony Collins not only fought his way up from the bottom, facing prejudice and scorn from some but praise and well-received assistance from others – he became a name that regularly filled the sporting headlines of all the major UK national newspapers
When a football playing talent with a complex ethnic background returns to London’s notorious Portobello Road in 1946, there is only one way forward for a man with ambition, determination and a courage destined to leave its mark on some of the most famous club names in English soccer.
He was referred to by them as ‘The Teacher’ and English football’s ‘Master Spy’ discovering and nurturing some of the greatest names in football history. Having his battles with the likes of Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Brian Clough, during his famous 44 days at Leeds United, were more than made for up for by his close relationship with kings of the sport such as Don Revie and ‘Big Ron’ Atkinson.
This is the so far untold story about the life of a remarkable man; one considered by many to be the real ‘Mr. Football’ for more than fifty years ... and the first black manager in the English Football League. It has been told in three parts:
Part I: His early life as a child, his schooling and army life in Italy.
Part II: His career as a football player and time as a manager.
Part III: His time as a chief scout for the top teams of the day and the England side under well-known names as Revie and Atkinson.
Tony is able to do some interviews, and Sarita Collins, his daughter, who penned the book along with Quentin Cope, is available for all media enquiries. Review copies of Tony Collins: Football Master Spy are available on request now.
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The Book Guild is an independent partnership and commercial publisher that publishes about 100 titles a year. We offer an eclectic list of titles; novels and stories to enchant both adults and children, vivid memoirs and timely books of current affairs.
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