Brian Flynn: Little Wonder

by Leon Barton

‘Brian Flynn ... his name is not only so well-known, but so immediately respected ... It was a pleasure writing this Foreword to a great tale done justice by Leon ... everyone should know the story of Brian Flynn.’
Chris Wathan, Chief Football Writer, Media Wales

'Brian Flynn is one of the good guys of Welsh football.'
Chris Gunter

'Brian Flynn is a national treasure, Welsh football owes him so much.'
Elis James

'A wonderfully detailed study of the life and times of a Welsh working class hero'
John Nicholson, Football 365.

Little Wonder is the story of Brian Flynn, the stylish yet tenacious midfielder from Port Talbot who, in the 1970s and '80s, enjoyed a successful top flight playing career with Burnley and Leeds United - where is still held in great affection by fans of both clubs - before moving on to Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers, Bury, Limerick and finally to Wrexham as player manager.

Flynn also won 66 caps for Wales and played a pivotal role when the rejuvenated national team reached the quarter-finals of the 1976 European Championships and were denied a place at the 1978 World Cup by Joe Jordan's infamous 'hand of god' at Anfield.

Lovingly crafted by Leon Barton, Little Wonder is also the story of Flynn's 12 years as a club manager with Wrexham where, with solid team-building and cup heroics, he left a legacy that was subsequently squandered, and his two-year spell at Swansea City when he saved the club from relegation from the Football League and whose immense contribution was subsequently built upon to stunning effect.

It is Brian Flynn's managerial legacy to Welsh international football, however, that has won him the plaudits of fellow managers, former teammates, the players themselves, and the Welsh nation when, as intermediate team manager under John Toshack, Flynn identified, nurtured and developed the 'golden generation', a group of talented teenagers and Welsh 'Anglos' who went on to become, at Euro 2016, most successful Welsh team in 140 years.

Brian Flynn may only stand at 5 foot and 4 inches, but this small man from the town of steel has made a giant contribution to football and Little Wonder is his story.

Leon Barton is a Wrexham-born writer and a founder member of the Welsh football online broadcaster Podcast Pêl-droed. Previously published by The Guardian, Vice and In Bed With Maradona, Little Wonder is his first book. Leon lives in Innsbruck, Austria with his wife and son.

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2017

About the author

Leon Barton was born in Wrexham, north Wales in 1978. He started writing about music in 2013 and was one of the founders of Welsh football online broadcaster Podcast Peldroed in 2014. His writing on Welsh football has also appeared in the Guardian, Vice, These Football Times, In Bed With Maradona and When Saturday Comes. Leon has lived in Innsbruck, Austria since 2009.

Reviews

[Keith Astbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author says at the beginning of the book that his original intention was to write about the development of the Welsh U21 team that would later provide many of the senior team that unbelievably reached the semi finals of the 2016 Euros. And it ultimately showed. Whilst the early chapters deal with the life and career of Flynn the book then becomes a series of Welsh U21 match reports. In too much detail for me personally. Still, the Wrexham days are well covered which is why I read it. And I'm sure Burnley supporters of a certain vintage will enjoy the section about his early playing days x

[Gareth Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book on Brian Flynn. I spent much time watching his Wrexham sides of the 90s. His influence on Welsh football is not to be underestimated.

[Richard Owain Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Wonder will appeal to ultras of welsh football, wrecsam, burnley, and football in general.

leon barton has put together a fascinating insight into an incredibly important, and certainly under appreciated, footballer and trainer in brian flynn.

the depth of knowledge - and the ability to focus in on moments that lesser sports writers would overlook - is brilliantly delivered in a way that is accessible, often funny, and always observed with total clarity.

leon himself has an astute footballing mind, and his own observations always provide excellent insight without ever moving the focus away from flynn.

leon barton is an excellent writer and i wholeheartedly recommend this book and any others that follow.