The Jimmy Hagan Story

[coaxingstar71]

Anyone know if this book is worth a read? alpine blade ?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Anyone know if this book is worth a read? alpine blade ?

The bloke who wrote it used to post here. I enjoyed it. If you don't read this, what other books about Hagan are you going to read instead?

 

[coaxingstar71]

The bloke who wrote it used to post here. I enjoyed it. If you don't read this, what other books about Hagan are you going to read instead?

Well quite, I just mean is it well researched and gives a fair account of the man.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

Well quite, I just mean is it well researched and gives a fair account of the man.

It is well-researched, although - perhaps of necessity - it contains a considerable number of chunks lifted straight from newspaper reports and magazine articles. Certainly, it gives a fair account of Hagan in that you end up with both a lump in your throat and a sense that he was a truly great footballer and a singular, complex man.

Here's something I posted a couple of years back on here. The extract is, I think, from the Daily Express:

"In the course of my work I used to bump into a solicitor from Wakefield and talk sport with him. He was mainly a rugby league man but in his younger days he'd been a regular at Leeds Road to watch Huddersfield. When he realised I was a Unitedite he said he vividly recalled going to a Huddersfield v United match in the fifties when he was about twelve which United won 4-2 and the game was totally dominated by what he described as a "genius" in our midfield who he said completely ran the game. He couldn't remember the player's name, however. I said I was sure it would be Hagan but I'd look it up.

Denis Clarebrough's book revealed that we'd won there 4-1 in November, 1956. The footnote simply says: "Hagan outstanding."

Roger Barnard's book quoted this report on the game from journalist, Dave Pardon: "Four minutes after kick-off, the Huddersfield centre-half Ken Quested's face bore a puzzled, baffled look as, with three of his colleagues, he was beaten by the greatest piece of ball-play I have seen. Jimmy Hagan beat four successive tackles without moving the ball outside a two-foot radius, put a gentle 30-yard crossfield pass to Waldock, and stood applauding Howitt's volleyed goal. Hagan was on form. He went through the first half with a fantastic display - an exhibition which put the crowd on his side, and cheering every time he put boot to ball. That was often enough to turn the Huddersfield defence into a shambles."

It's worth bearing in mind he was thirty-eight at the time."

 

[coaxingstar71]

Thanks Shalalalafenoughty , on the strength of that, I shall order myself a copy and add it to my reading matter for the forthcoming hols to Gran Canaria.

Incidently, bit of a name drop, I talked to Tommy Fenoughty quite a number of times at his house as my mate was going out with his daughter - a top bloke and very happy to tell a tale about his footballing days.

 

[Silent Blade]

Thanks Shalalalafenoughty , on the strength of that, I shall order myself a copy and add it to my reading matter for the forthcoming hols to Gran Canaria.

Incidently, bit of a name drop, I talked to Tommy Fenoughty quite a number of times at his house as my mate was going out with his daughter - a top bloke and very happy to tell a tale about his footballing days.

I remember seeing Fenoughty play for Chesterfield in early 1970s.

 

[metty]

Thanks Shalalalafenoughty , on the strength of that, I shall order myself a copy and add it to my reading matter for the forthcoming hols to Gran Canaria.

Incidently, bit of a name drop, I talked to Tommy Fenoughty quite a number of times at his house as my mate was going out with his daughter - a top bloke and very happy to tell a tale about his footballing days.

It's a very interesting book about one of the greats of his time. Jimmy's son posts or used to post on here and he and Roger very kindly signed my copy of the book.

 

[Kentblade]

I remember seeing Fenoughty play for Chesterfield in early 1970s.

Both the author Roger Barnard and Alpine
Blade post regular on Blades boards.
I can assure anyone who saw the genius play this is an excellent read.
Should also be good for anyone who wishes to delve into our history.
Without doubt one of the finest players ever to wear the Blades shirt.
In Jimmy's days they travelled to the Lane for training on the bus with Hagan, Ringstead and Joe Shaw on the No 35 from Hollythorpe Rise dropping off on Bramall Lane.
Different world in those days.
UTB

 

[coaxingstar71]

I remember seeing Fenoughty play for Chesterfield in early 1970s.

Apparently, Fenoughty is regarded as one of the finest midfielders ever to play for Chesterfield.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Someone should suggest to TC to write his auto soon!

 

[Bladeloyal]

Someone should suggest to TC to write his auto soon!

It's been started will be on the shelves in about a year .currie ,Hagan ,players of the like we at the lane will never see again ,I won't mention our current crop

 

[Bladeloyal]

Just a footnote ,Hagan was a football genius on cow field football pitches ,what would the great man have done on a desso .

 

[Kenilworth]

Anyone know if this book is worth a read? alpine blade ?

My Dad's favourite Blades player

Bought this book for his Birthday last year. He loved it.

Twas Broomhill Blade that used to post on here (Roger Barnard)

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Just a footnote ,Hagan was a football genius on cow field football pitches ,what would the great man have done on a desso .

The pricks with EUFA coaching badges would have coached it out of him.

 

[Jonboy60]

Wasn't he another player that united tried to cash in on, to the unwashed. Or am I thinking wrong.

 

[Bladeloyal]

The pricks with EUFA coaching badges would have coached it out of him.

A man of hagans principals would have have just told the coaches to do one, never saw him play but my dad who had seen him and currie said it was a close run thing. Footballing gods. You will never see Messi or Ronaldo looking at a flip chart on the sideline

 

[The Bohemian]

The pricks with EUFA coaching badges would have coached it out of him.

All of them or just some of them? Messi came through Barca's Academy - full of UEFA Coaches!

In fact Spain invests far more in the UEFA coaching system than we do - I believe a large part of why they've been infinitely more successful at club and international level.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

All of them or just some of them? Messi came through Barca's Academy - full of UEFA Coaches!

In fact Spain invests far more in the UEFA coaching system than we do - I believe a large part of why they've been infinitely more successful at club and international level.

Spain has about 24,000 qualified coaches, England has 3,000

 

[alpine blade]

Wasn't he another player that united tried to cash in on, to the unwashed. Or am I thinking wrong.

You are right. Wednesday offered a world record fee of £32,500

 

[alpine blade]

Anyone know if this book is worth a read? alpine blade ?

Should be a good read. Roger Barnard sourced all his stories from factual accounts. It is an honest biography which unfortunately is now out of print. You can still get copies on e-bay, I believe.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Should be a good read. Roger Barnard sourced all his stories from factual accounts. It is an honest biography which unfortunately is now out of print. You can still get copies on e-bay, I believe.

I can get it on Amazon too

 

[Silent Blade]

You are right. Wednesday offered a world record fee of £32,500

In 1951 as Wendy were battling against relegation from the 1st division

Your dad was 33 years old then!

 

[Revolution]

You are right. Wednesday offered a world record fee of £32,500

A fee which, of course, the United board accepted, only for Hagan to reject the move, fortunately for us.

I've read the book - thought it was good and would recommend it to Blades fans.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

I seem to remember the great Bill Shankly on Grandstand or summat similar yonks back (must have been very early 70's) talking about the best 3 players he'd ever seen up to that time.

It was something like - Jimmy Greaves, Duncan Edwards and Jimmy Hagan (I was so young I didn't realise Jimmy was a Blades legend)

Does anyone else remember this or am I going senile. I just can't get the image out of my mind of Shankly on the black and white tv pictures saying how Hagan was a superb player.

If he's good enough for Shankly then he's good enough for me.

UTB.

 

[bornablade]

I seem to remember the great Bill Shankly on Grandstand or summat similar yonks back (must have been very early 70's) talking about the best 3 players he'd ever seen up to that time.

It was something like - Jimmy Greaves, Duncan Edwards and Jimmy Hagan (I was so young I didn't realise Jimmy was a Blades legend)

Does anyone else remember this or am I going senile. I just can't get the image out of my mind of Shankly on the black and white tv pictures saying how Hagan was a superb player.

If he's good enough for Shankly then he's good enough for me.

UTB.

Not disagreeing with you Rufus 'cos I didn't see the interview but if Shankly was choosing his three favourite players I am sure Tom Finney would have been among them. He always raved about Finney - I think they were at Preston at the same time.

 

[alpine blade]

I seem to remember the great Bill Shankly on Grandstand or summat similar yonks back (must have been very early 70's) talking about the best 3 players he'd ever seen up to that time.

It was something like - Jimmy Greaves, Duncan Edwards and Jimmy Hagan (I was so young I didn't realise Jimmy was a Blades legend)

Does anyone else remember this or am I going senile. I just can't get the image out of my mind of Shankly on the black and white tv pictures saying how Hagan was a superb player.

If he's good enough for Shankly then he's good enough for me.

UTB.

Not surprised. Tommy Lawton reckoned my father was so skillful that he could cross the ball in such a way that he didn't have to head the lace !! Not true, but a great compliment.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

Not disagreeing with you Rufus 'cos I didn't see the interview but if Shankly was choosing his three favourite players I am sure Tom Finney would have been among them. He always raved about Finney - I think they were at Preston at the same time.

You're probably right mate - that bostik has a lot to answer for.

 

[Robby Blade]

Both the author Roger Barnard and Alpine
Blade post regular on Blades boards.
I can assure anyone who saw the genius play this is an excellent read.
Should also be good for anyone who wishes to delve into our history.
Without doubt one of the finest players ever to wear the Blades shirt.
In Jimmy's days they travelled to the Lane for training on the bus with Hagan, Ringstead and Joe Shaw on the No 35 from Hollythorpe Rise dropping off on Bramall Lane.
Different world in those days.
UTB

I had the pleasure of seeing the both play. I also sat next to Joe Shaw on the 35 bus. Was too much in awe to speak to him.

 

[Bladebri]

http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2013/1/26/from-sheffield-to-lisbon-the-legend-of-the-lone-wolf

 

[Bladebri]

Last Word from Eusébio

Eusébio - one of the world's greatest footballers

Speaking to the press prior to the dedication of Jimmy Hagan's statue at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane in 2001, Eusébio said:

"Jimmy is still in my heart to this day ... He was my coach at Benfica between 1970 and 1973 and I remember him being a manager who knew how to handle players well. He always offered me good advice and told me where I should be playing to get the best out of me."

"He was also a strong disciplinarian and when he first arrived, we were surprised by the physical preparation for games. All the players thought his training schedules were too punishing and some were physically sick after the first training session. But after a while, they realised it was worth it as we started winning games. He gave us the extra strength and he is the reason Benfica won three successive championships."

"It will be a very emotional moment when I unveil the statue. Jimmy deserves this recognition because he was a good player, a wonderful manager and a great man."