Big Ron Manager
Encyclopedia
Big Ron Manager is a television documentary series based on Ron Atkinson
's efforts as a troubleshooter at the English football
club Peterborough United
, at the time playing in Football League Two
. The series was screened on Sky TV
in 2006.
Originally, the show was going to feature Swindon Town and Sky spent around four weeks filming there before being asked to leave by the Swindon management. Peterborough United received a fee of around £
100,000 from Sky TV for access to the changing rooms and for Ron Atkinson to assist the rookie manager Steve Bleasdale
. Bleasdale was unhappy at Atkinson's involvement in the changing room and subsequently banned him and the cameras from the changing rooms on matchdays. However, later in the series Bleasdale relented after being overruled by Chairman Barry Fry
.
Some scenes caused quite a stir in Peterborough
when the show was aired, including a dressing room brawl between Mark Arber
and Paul Carden
and Bleasdale rowing with youngsters Sean St Ledger
and Adam Fry
.
St Ledger joked about suing Sky TV, after claiming the programme showed him as the team's bad boy, which he denied. The media alighted on this, and he was later forced to clarify that the statement was in fact, a joke.
There were several instances during the filming of Atkinson upsetting Bleasdale:
In April 2006, Bleasdale walked out of Peterborough United only 70 minutes before a game against Macclesfield. It was later reported that this was due to clashes with Atkinson. Chairman Barry Fry put himself in charge for the final two games of the season.
Big Ron Manager was regarded as a low point in the fortunes of Peterborough United. However, it proved the catalyst for future revival. Property businessman Darragh MacAnthony—who previously had no connection with the club—watched the show on television and a few months purchased the club and later became chairman. Under MacAthony's investment and his appointment of Darren Ferguson
as the club's manager in 2007, Peterborough gained promotion to League One
in 2008 and then to the Championship
in 2009.
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
's efforts as a troubleshooter at the English football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, at the time playing in Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. The series was screened on Sky TV
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
in 2006.
Originally, the show was going to feature Swindon Town and Sky spent around four weeks filming there before being asked to leave by the Swindon management. Peterborough United received a fee of around £
Pound (currency)
The pound is a unit of currency in some nations. The term originated in England as the value of a pound of silver.The word pound is the English translation of the Latin word libra, which was the unit of account of the Roman Empire...
100,000 from Sky TV for access to the changing rooms and for Ron Atkinson to assist the rookie manager Steve Bleasdale
Steve Bleasdale
Steve Bleasdale is a Liverpool-born football coach. He has managed Bangor City, Leigh Genesis and Football League side Peterborough United and twice been assistant manager at Chester City.-Early years:...
. Bleasdale was unhappy at Atkinson's involvement in the changing room and subsequently banned him and the cameras from the changing rooms on matchdays. However, later in the series Bleasdale relented after being overruled by Chairman Barry Fry
Barry Fry
Barry Francis Fry is an English football manager. A former Manchester United apprentice as a winger, his playing career involved brief spells with Bolton Wanderers, Luton Town and Leyton Orient, before he retired prematurely due to injury.He has managed Dunstable Town, Bedford Town, Maidstone...
.
Some scenes caused quite a stir in Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
when the show was aired, including a dressing room brawl between Mark Arber
Mark Arber
Mark Andrew Arber is a South African footballer, currently playing for Dagenham & Redbridge.He can play a natural central defender who can also easily fit into the left full back slot as well...
and Paul Carden
Paul Carden
Paul Andrew Carden is an English footballer who plays in midfield as a player/coach for Luton Town. While at Cambridge United, Carden was the club's assistant manager. He has previously played for Blackpool, Rochdale, Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley, Burton...
and Bleasdale rowing with youngsters Sean St Ledger
Sean St Ledger
Sean Patrick St Ledger-Hall is an English-born Irish footballer who plays as a central defender for Leicester City and the Republic of Ireland national football team...
and Adam Fry
Adam Fry
Adam Fry is an English footballer midfielder who is currently on the playing staff of Hinckley United.He is the son of Peterborough United's former manager and owner Barry Fry...
.
St Ledger joked about suing Sky TV, after claiming the programme showed him as the team's bad boy, which he denied. The media alighted on this, and he was later forced to clarify that the statement was in fact, a joke.
There were several instances during the filming of Atkinson upsetting Bleasdale:
- Although the club were short of funds, he persuaded Barry Fry to hire a goalkeeping coach in Tony GoddenTony GoddenAnthony Leonard "Tony" Godden is an English former football goalkeeper who played in the Football League for West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town, Walsall, Chelsea, Birmingham City, Bury and Peterborough United.-Career:...
- Suggesting during an injury crisis to go for Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
striker Stefan MooreStefan MooreStefan Leroy Moore is an English footballer, currently playing with St Neots Town of the United Counties Football League....
on loan. However Bleasdale overruled Atkinson and instead snapped up Lloyd OparaLloyd OparaJunior Lloyd "Lloyd" Opara is an English footballer who plays as a striker. He has represented a large number of different clubs during his career.-Career:...
on a free transfer from a local team.
In April 2006, Bleasdale walked out of Peterborough United only 70 minutes before a game against Macclesfield. It was later reported that this was due to clashes with Atkinson. Chairman Barry Fry put himself in charge for the final two games of the season.
Big Ron Manager was regarded as a low point in the fortunes of Peterborough United. However, it proved the catalyst for future revival. Property businessman Darragh MacAnthony—who previously had no connection with the club—watched the show on television and a few months purchased the club and later became chairman. Under MacAthony's investment and his appointment of Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson is a Scottish football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as the manager of Peterborough United...
as the club's manager in 2007, Peterborough gained promotion to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
in 2008 and then to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in 2009.