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Red Glory: Manchester United and Me
When Martin Edwards became chairman of Manchester United in 1980, the club's estimated worth was £2 million. When he retired two decades later, the club was valued at £1 billion. Under his expert business stewardship, Manchester United grew into one of the world's most recognized sporting brands. Martin shares a multitude of wonderful memories and amazing stories and revelations. He singled out Alex Ferguson as a future manager of the Reds and had the determination and courage to stand by his choice when everybody else was calling for his head. Martin Edwards oversaw his club as it achieved its greatest successes and dominated the sport. This autobiography of the former chairman and current life president is an extremely significant book on soccer’s most beloved club.
- GenresFootball
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2017
22 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Martin Edwards
356 books824 followersMartin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 12, 2018
Martin Edwards was Chairman and Chief Executive of Manchester United from 1980 to 2003, history has often been unkind to him, "Red Glory: Manchester United and me" is an attempt to readdress many of the accusations and criticisms of a man who was responsible for overhauling and transforming Manchester United into a worldwide name off the pitch.
During his tenure, annual profits grew from £210,000 in 1980 to £39,345,000 in 2003, while United’s value increased 400-fold from £2 million to £800 million. Edwards has often faced criticism for being the right man at the right place, such as being the son of the chairman Louis Edwards and that he was only interested in selling the club or making money. He uses the biography to show how under his stewardship Manchester United hired Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986 and how he stood by the man in 1990 when most of the Old Trafford faithful were calling for his head. Edwards mentions the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the extra facilities, which generated extra income. By hiring Edward Freedman he started the complete overhaul of the merchandise department which turned Manchester United into a money making machine. Edwards also sheds light on his battles to get more money for top tier clubs from TV rights and how the battle of the 1980s between the owners of Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Everton against the TV channels for a bigger chunk of TV rights was the precursor for the formation of the Premier League.
We cannot forget the attempted takeovers of Manchester United from Robert Maxwell, Michael Knighton and SKY. Edwards attempts to dispel the accusations that he was more interested in profit rather than football. To his credit Edwards thwarted Maxwell's interest in 1985, while in 1990 he pulled out of a verbal agreement with Knighton as it came out he was more a maverick than a serious player. Edwards still defends the SKY bid, which was vetoed, by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in 1999, quite possibly the course of Manchester United’s history and English football could have turned out different.
We also learn how Edwards tried to buy Mark Lawrenson, and how in 1985 Manchester United were offered Gary Lineker, yet manager Ron Atkinson refused. In 1981, Edwards’s first choice for manager was Lawrie McMenemy, after McMenemy rejected the move; Edwards approached Bobby Robson who also rejected the opportunity to manage Manchester United. In 1996, Edwards spoke to Alex Ferguson about this Frenchman called Zinedine Zidane, yet Ferguson did not pursue as he had a Frenchman called Eric Cantona who subsequently retired in 1997.
Edwards says some complimentary things for Alex Ferguson and attempts to paint a picture that both men were in unison, whereas Ferguson was the Boss on the pitch, Edwards was the man off the pitch and both men needed each other and thrived on each other's success. There were a few attempted loose jabs from Edwards towards Ferguson in the book, but I guess he needed to show the world he was Ferguson's senior if not equal.
In 2003, Edwards stood down and in 2008 got his payday with a £100 million pay off. Edwards is now the President of Manchester United, largely a honorary role, however, he enjoys his other role, which is being a fan of Manchester United.
During his tenure, annual profits grew from £210,000 in 1980 to £39,345,000 in 2003, while United’s value increased 400-fold from £2 million to £800 million. Edwards has often faced criticism for being the right man at the right place, such as being the son of the chairman Louis Edwards and that he was only interested in selling the club or making money. He uses the biography to show how under his stewardship Manchester United hired Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986 and how he stood by the man in 1990 when most of the Old Trafford faithful were calling for his head. Edwards mentions the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the extra facilities, which generated extra income. By hiring Edward Freedman he started the complete overhaul of the merchandise department which turned Manchester United into a money making machine. Edwards also sheds light on his battles to get more money for top tier clubs from TV rights and how the battle of the 1980s between the owners of Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Everton against the TV channels for a bigger chunk of TV rights was the precursor for the formation of the Premier League.
We cannot forget the attempted takeovers of Manchester United from Robert Maxwell, Michael Knighton and SKY. Edwards attempts to dispel the accusations that he was more interested in profit rather than football. To his credit Edwards thwarted Maxwell's interest in 1985, while in 1990 he pulled out of a verbal agreement with Knighton as it came out he was more a maverick than a serious player. Edwards still defends the SKY bid, which was vetoed, by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in 1999, quite possibly the course of Manchester United’s history and English football could have turned out different.
We also learn how Edwards tried to buy Mark Lawrenson, and how in 1985 Manchester United were offered Gary Lineker, yet manager Ron Atkinson refused. In 1981, Edwards’s first choice for manager was Lawrie McMenemy, after McMenemy rejected the move; Edwards approached Bobby Robson who also rejected the opportunity to manage Manchester United. In 1996, Edwards spoke to Alex Ferguson about this Frenchman called Zinedine Zidane, yet Ferguson did not pursue as he had a Frenchman called Eric Cantona who subsequently retired in 1997.
Edwards says some complimentary things for Alex Ferguson and attempts to paint a picture that both men were in unison, whereas Ferguson was the Boss on the pitch, Edwards was the man off the pitch and both men needed each other and thrived on each other's success. There were a few attempted loose jabs from Edwards towards Ferguson in the book, but I guess he needed to show the world he was Ferguson's senior if not equal.
In 2003, Edwards stood down and in 2008 got his payday with a £100 million pay off. Edwards is now the President of Manchester United, largely a honorary role, however, he enjoys his other role, which is being a fan of Manchester United.
April 6, 2018
An interesting read, I am not a fan of Manchester United but seeing as this book was free on Kindle Umlimited I thought why not give it a go.
A nice bigoraphy of the behind the scenes of the club from Mr Edwards perspective and interesting to see the development of football from £2 million valuations to £1 billion.
Interesting and can be enjoyed by all fans, not just Man Utd fans. That said it is heart breaking reading about Utd's dominance :(
A nice bigoraphy of the behind the scenes of the club from Mr Edwards perspective and interesting to see the development of football from £2 million valuations to £1 billion.
Interesting and can be enjoyed by all fans, not just Man Utd fans. That said it is heart breaking reading about Utd's dominance :(
August 15, 2018
Red glory
Well written book,Mr edward.story in charge should not be down played in Fergus glory years,it was his vision and alex great manager skills that enabled such a great success,thanks Mr Edwards for your dedication i believe you should have had a lot more recognition for your great service to our great club thanks
Well written book,Mr edward.story in charge should not be down played in Fergus glory years,it was his vision and alex great manager skills that enabled such a great success,thanks Mr Edwards for your dedication i believe you should have had a lot more recognition for your great service to our great club thanks
January 29, 2019
A very nice insight into how Manchester United became the powerhouse it is today. Martin Edwards and family have been with Manchester United through all of the major recent triumphs and disasters. It was very insightful as a fan to find out how they overcame hard times and brought glory to Manchester United.
February 15, 2019
A must-read for any United fan
A really interesting, different account of an incredible 20 year period in Manchester United’s history. Honest, humble and detailed, Edwards provides some fascinating anecdotes that were new to me despite having read a lot of other autobiographies from the era. Highly recommended.
A really interesting, different account of an incredible 20 year period in Manchester United’s history. Honest, humble and detailed, Edwards provides some fascinating anecdotes that were new to me despite having read a lot of other autobiographies from the era. Highly recommended.
May 3, 2020
An era when fans were the CEO of their local team, Martin is brilliant on the rise of Alec Ferguson, who always advised managers to pick a chairman, not a club. Also a fab insight into the off-the-field rise of MUFC in the pre-2000 era.
January 1, 2022
Perception
I have always thought of Martin Edwards as a money grabbing idiot (I can’t print what I really thought), but this book brings to light some of those deals & explains what really happened, rather then the media’s take on it & fan rumours.
It’s a good read.
I have always thought of Martin Edwards as a money grabbing idiot (I can’t print what I really thought), but this book brings to light some of those deals & explains what really happened, rather then the media’s take on it & fan rumours.
It’s a good read.
March 18, 2018
United rule
Not a bad read for United fans did Edwards get a bad press or did he help turn the club into what it is now
Not a bad read for United fans did Edwards get a bad press or did he help turn the club into what it is now
June 11, 2018
Great read of Man Utd history
Was great read as allowed us to see United in a different way and see how love for the club led it to be the giant it is today #GGMU
Was great read as allowed us to see United in a different way and see how love for the club led it to be the giant it is today #GGMU
November 4, 2023
Well written and interesting although Edwards’ accomplishments may be a bit exaggerated
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews