September 6, 20178 yr 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!
September 7, 20178 yr Same as a few above, I feel like Bruce actually made my childhood Mental that naturally I hold him in higher regard than Allardyce Part of it is rose tinted glasses of course, but also the mark of the man. When we had the white hot dinner I was way more excited about him being there thn any of the players Bruuuuuuuce
September 7, 20178 yr Can't be many managers who made such an immeasurable difference to a club in the space of only 3 years. Initially 92/93 but certainly 93/94 was the first time I took notice of football results as a young kid (largely thanks to a school visit from Andy Walker) and 94/95 sealed the deal. Not sure whether I should thank him or curse him.
September 7, 20178 yr Same as a few above, I feel like Bruce actually made my childhood Mental that naturally I hold him in higher regard than Allardyce Part of it is rose tinted glasses of course, but also the mark of the man. When we had the white hot dinner I was way more excited about him being there thn any of the players Bruuuuuuuce had a chat to him that night he was a Generally a nice bloke
September 7, 20178 yr He brought calmness, stability and a steely eyed determination to the club, with a sprinkle of tactical magic thrown in for good measure. Probably attended 90% of the games we played under him and loved every single moment. Even when we were shit you had a feeling we'd follow it up with a win. Our greatest manager. Just.
September 7, 20178 yr Rioch definitely a game changer in terms of where we where when he took over & where he left us . Got the better of the board to sign David Lee something which his predecessor Phil Neal couldn't pull off despite signing decent players like Andy Walker Rioch got that extra 5 % out of players that made all the difference. Great manager.
September 7, 20178 yr We had a similar aura to uniteds team in the 90's. We just didn't know when we were beaten. You always knew deep down we'd pull it out of the bag no matter how late we left it. Even in that Liverpool final we never gave up. Only one man stopped us that day.
September 7, 20178 yr Rioch was firm but fair and a decent tactician We also played some good football. My favourite all time Bolton Manager by far.
September 7, 20178 yr Ricoh was fantastic for us He was also the first manager for years to be able to spend serious money
September 7, 20178 yr Watched that Premier League 100 Club program on sky I think it's quite old but Ricoh got a bit of a panning off Wright and Merson on there too "Ricoh didn't sign Bergkamp, David Dein did. Ricoh wouldn't have had the clout to land him" or words to that effect Edited September 7, 20178 yr by Marc505
September 8, 20178 yr I finger banged a bird who wanted comforting over his imminent departure... If for nothing else, thanks for that Bruce Hope you enjoyed your day
September 8, 20178 yr Brilliant times but I have to say that Jimmy Armfield, Ian Greaves and Sam Allardyce also gave us memorable times. We did have a confident swagger about us under Bruce though. Great manager and was a great player too.
September 8, 20178 yr Watched that Premier League 100 Club program on sky I think it's quite old but Ricoh got a bit of a panning off Wright and Merson on there too "Ricoh didn't sign Bergkamp, David Dein did. Ricoh wouldn't have had the clout to land him" or words to that effect Send them to Coventry. I pissed upply told a pissed up Supa John to "tell Bruce he's got to stay with us" etc. on Bradshawgate one night... I was gutted to see Bruce's face pop up on the lunchtime news on a muted telly a few weeks later, knew straight away and switched it off without a pause... Pissed off at McGinlay for not passing the message on an' all Happy 70th Mr. Rioch.
September 8, 20178 yr Send them to Coventry. I pissed upply told a pissed up Supa John to "tell Bruce he's got to stay with us" etc. on Bradshawgate one night... I was gutted to see Bruce's face pop up on the lunchtime news on a muted telly a few weeks later, knew straight away and switched it off without a pause... Pissed off at McGinlay for not passing the message on an' all Happy 70th Mr. Rioch. I funking hate eye phones
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!