Ron Atkinson Joins City Former Players Association

Last updated : 02 February 2015 By CCFPA

Our latest Coventry City Former Player Association member is former Sky Blue manager Ron Atkinson! Our intrepid committee member Frank Pritchard braved the snow and ice last Friday to renew an acquaintanship of many years ago and visit Big Ron and his wife Maggie at their lovely home in the greater Birmingham area. Frank had heard that Ron was keen to join and made the necessary arrangements to set up a meet.

The friendly couple welcomed Frank to a cup of tea and soon memories were being dusted down and favourite moments savoured!  Frank reports:-

“I haven’t had the pleasure of “Big Ron’s” company for many years but with that roguish grin and his usual firm handshake he greeted me as if it were only yesterday! Extending his familiar generosity with wife Maggie who was quickly on the scene with a much needed warming cup of tea.

He’d already been out in his snow boots exercising their two dogs and remains active on the golf course and working regularly for MUTV and as an ‘After Dinner Speaker’.

As we began to ‘chew the fat’ the memories came flooding back.” ………..

“Ron has kindly pencilled in a couple of important dates in his busy diary, Legends Day on 21st March and Golf Day on 4th June so hopefully we’ll have the pleasure of his company in the not too distant future. A very warm welcome to CCFPA and many thanks for both your kindness and hospitality over the years. Great to have you on board ‘Big Man’.

Strachs & Big Ron

Ron & Gordon outside Highfield Rd

A player with Aston Villa from 1956-59 (albeit without breaking through to the first team) and famously club captain with Oxford United from 1959-71 making 384 league appearances, Ron really hit the headlines in club management. Starting out at Kettering in 1971 Ron had four years at Cambridge United (from 1974) before joining WBA in 1978. With the ‘Baggies’  Big Ron started to hit the headlines an also managed Sky Blue Legend and now fellow CCFPA member Cyrille Regis. He spent a high profile time at Manchester United (1981-86) before returning to the Hawthorns. A season in Spain with Atletico Madrid followed in 1988 followed by spells in the manager’s chair at Sheffield Wednesday (1989) and Aston Villa (1991).

Ron came to Highfield Road in February 1995 after parting from the Villa and helped the Sky Blues survive in the Premiership and recruited some great players like Gary McAllister, CCFPA member Noel Whelan and a player who went on to partner and then succeed him as manager, Gordon Strachan. Ron saw out his managerial carrer at Hillsborough and then at Nottingham Forest and retired in 1998 to develop a caeer in media punditry notably with ITV and MUTV (as well as appearing on the likes of Celebrity Big Brother)