Just noticed on Facebook that today is Bruce Rioch's 70th birthday.

 

Not only does this make me feel very old - it also made me think about the happiest times of my life as a Wanderers fan.

 

Thanks for the memories Bruce!

Special man who did wonders for this club

Wow. Great days.

Not enough like him left.

 

Made my childhood fucking brilliant.

Happy birthday Bruce

Turned our club around and gave me some fantastic memories that I will treasure

 

Happy Bday Bruce

Best manager in my lifetime

A top footballing fella put the building blocks in place for our success for the next 2 decades. Happy birthday Bruce.  

Edited September 6, 20178 yr by Mounts Kipper

Happy Birthday

 

Happy Days

 

(ill dad my arse)

Easily my favourite 3 years watching BWFC when he was in charge. Went to the White Hot reunion dinner, could have heard a pin drop when he got up to speak, everyone still in awe of him 20 years later

Easily my favourite 3 years watching BWFC when he was in charge. Went to the White Hot reunion dinner, could have heard a pin drop when he got up to speak, everyone still in awe of him 20 years later

 

"Just say Bruce, go on just say it.........."

 

Still laugh about this. 

Remember coming back from Plymouth away very early into his tenure.

 

I was drinking heavily on the way back and furious after a 6 hour trip and a poor performance. 

 

I was on the travel club and we followed the team coach onto Burnden car park. 

 

I got off the coach and ran across the car park to shout abuse at the players. At that point Rioch said to me that i was entirely right, the performance was shocking and if you like you can come in with us and tell them what you think as a group. 

 

Bottled it, but what a top man. 

 

Special times, only bettered by taking my son around Europe. 

 

Happy Birthday Bruce. 

McAteer's autobiography sums Bruce up in one tale. The one about him buying a shiny Lotus Elan only for Bruce to bollock him and quietly arrange for the dealership to take it back .... and then provide him with a car that any of the fans might drive. He  got rid of Tony Kelly's belly for a glorious 2 year spell and signed McGinlay, Lee and Branagan. Nowt more needs to be said really! A Burnden Park legend.

McAteer's autobiography sums Bruce up in one tale. The one about him buying a shiny Lotus Elan only for Bruce to bollock him and quietly arrange for the dealership to take it back .... and then provide him with a car that any of the fans might drive. He got rid of Tony Kelly's belly for a glorious 2 year spell and signed McGinlay, Lee and Branagan. Nowt more needs to be said really! A Burnden Park legend.

Nicely summed up

He started it all off for me.

 

Happy Birthday Bruce.

Not enough like him left.

 

Made my childhood fucking brilliant.

Ditto - happy birthday Bruce (Mr Rioch to you son) genuine legend

And he signed Bergkamp , not Wenger.

Gutted when he left Bolton.

But what a final season that was.

Just noticed on Facebook that today is Bruce Rioch's 70th birthday.

 

Not only does this make me feel very old - it also made me think about the happiest times of my life as a Wanderers fan.

 

Thanks for the memories Bruce!

God bless, Bruce Rioch.

Greaves era was my favourite for many reasons but Rioch's time was probably the most important considering what he managed to do and it was a really great time to be a BWFC supporter

 

Massive mistake moving to "The Arsenal" but I guess at the time it was a move he couldn't turn down

Didnt Bruce tell Ian Wright he should watch some vids of Super John to show him all about how to finish? Wright was not impressed.

Didnt Bruce tell Ian Wright he should watch some vids of Super John to show him all about how to finish? Wright was not impressed.

Aye it's in Paul Mersons book. Said he walked past a room and there was Ian Wright, England international watching videos of John McGinlay being told how to move in the box

 

Remember being stood in the 50p shop in cleveleys with my mum and it came on the radio he'd left for arsenal. I cried and stormed out of the shop haha

On the many great managers we've had and brought many many fantastic times to BWFC. My personal favourites are the White Hot matches and the play off final.

Happy Birthday Bruce.

Didnt Bruce tell Ian Wright he should watch some vids of Super John to show him all about how to finish? Wright was not impressed.

Merson talked about this on camera once. Think it was Fantasy Football. He was obviously on Wrights side over this. And he had it in for Rioch. Being prima donnas and utterly stupid they did not understand the point BR was making. When Wright was presenting 606 on R5 for a season i often sent texts in about whatever the hot topic at that time was. I made it my main priority to shoe horn the McGinlay thing into the text every time.

Happy Birthday BRUCE. Made it a great time to have my formative years as a Wanderer.

 

Still can't resist doing the BRUCE bit when we sing 'We are the one and only Wanderers.'

Didnt Bruce tell Ian Wright he should watch some vids of Super John to show him all about how to finish? Wright was not impressed.

People who want to be the best they can be at what they do will take every bit of experience and insight they can and not let their ego get in the way.

 

Big Sam had the same problem at Newcastle when referencing Bolton and that after we had finished above them for a few seasons.

Merson talked about this on camera once. Think it was Fantasy Football. He was obviously on Wrights side over this. And he had it in for Rioch. Being prima donnas and utterly stupid they did not understand the point BR was making. When Wright was presenting 606 on R5 for a season i often sent texts in about whatever the hot topic at that time was. I made it my main priority to shoe horn the McGinlay thing into the text every time.

Surprised Merson could remember Rioch even being there.