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... Let's Have Coffee: The Tao of Ian Holloway
From the West has risen a footballing sage whose words of truth have transcended the mundane realm of sport.
Here is the collected wisdom of Ian Holloway ...
Here is the collected wisdom of Ian Holloway ...
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 10, 2016
I have seen Tao described as 'A Chinese complex word which cannot specifically be fully explained except it signifies "way", "path", "route", or sometimes known as a "principle" laid down by Heaven to assist mankind back onto the righteous path.' Well, having been fortunate enough to liaise with and listen to Ian Holloway when he later managed Blackpool Football Club - and took them unexpectedly to the Premier League - I can well understand why this book is so titled!
The quotes in this book relate to his time before he took over as Blackpool manager and there are some rather bizarre ones, typical of the man. But many of them pale into insignificance compared to what he used to say to the press and fans while with Blackpool. One never really believed what he was saying because much of it was so off the wall but it very definitely worked and a somewhat mediocre team performed to a high level for him and there can be no higher praise than that in the football world.
Some of his quotes in this selection are: 'You can say that strikers are very much like postmen: they have to get in and out as quick as they can before the dog starts to have a go.'; 'It's all very well having a great pianist playing but it's no good if you haven't got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.'; 'If you can keep your noses in front at the end, that's what counts. It's been said that I have a bit of a Roman nose and I am keeping it ahead at the moment. Hopefully it's all about the length of your hooter because I might be in front at the end of the season as well.'
That gives a flavour of how 'Ollie', to give him his familiar name, sees the game of football. And even though these come from before his time at Blackpool he was obviously preparing himself for what lay ahead with these two quotes: 'You have to ask about a bar of soap at this club [Queens Park Rangers]. I even had to pay for our pre-match meal on my own credit card on Saturday.'; 'This club isn't on solid ground. It's like I'm on a block of ice. I don't know whether I am going to go through it, or slide off.'
I dare say that he could well have repeated these quotes during his time at Blackpool for money was always tight (despite the success) and his contract was regularly under discussion. But the fans loved him and would chant 'Ollie's tangerine army' in support of their team and their extravert manager. The club has certainly gone downhill since he left.
The book is fun to read, particularly if one has first-hand acquaintance with the man himself.
The quotes in this book relate to his time before he took over as Blackpool manager and there are some rather bizarre ones, typical of the man. But many of them pale into insignificance compared to what he used to say to the press and fans while with Blackpool. One never really believed what he was saying because much of it was so off the wall but it very definitely worked and a somewhat mediocre team performed to a high level for him and there can be no higher praise than that in the football world.
Some of his quotes in this selection are: 'You can say that strikers are very much like postmen: they have to get in and out as quick as they can before the dog starts to have a go.'; 'It's all very well having a great pianist playing but it's no good if you haven't got anyone to get the piano on the stage in the first place, otherwise the pianist would be standing there with no bloody piano to play.'; 'If you can keep your noses in front at the end, that's what counts. It's been said that I have a bit of a Roman nose and I am keeping it ahead at the moment. Hopefully it's all about the length of your hooter because I might be in front at the end of the season as well.'
That gives a flavour of how 'Ollie', to give him his familiar name, sees the game of football. And even though these come from before his time at Blackpool he was obviously preparing himself for what lay ahead with these two quotes: 'You have to ask about a bar of soap at this club [Queens Park Rangers]. I even had to pay for our pre-match meal on my own credit card on Saturday.'; 'This club isn't on solid ground. It's like I'm on a block of ice. I don't know whether I am going to go through it, or slide off.'
I dare say that he could well have repeated these quotes during his time at Blackpool for money was always tight (despite the success) and his contract was regularly under discussion. But the fans loved him and would chant 'Ollie's tangerine army' in support of their team and their extravert manager. The club has certainly gone downhill since he left.
The book is fun to read, particularly if one has first-hand acquaintance with the man himself.
Want to read
June 12, 2016I eagerly await the US Version of this book.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews