Big Ron Manager is a television documentary series based on Ron Atkinson's efforts as a troubleshooter at the English football club Peterborough United, at the time playing in Football League Two. The series was screened on Sky TV in 2006.
Originally, the show was going to feature Swindon Town and Sky spent around four weeks filming there before being asked to leave by the Swindon management. Peterborough United received a fee of around £100,000 from Sky TV for access to the changing rooms and for Ron Atkinson to assist the rookie manager Steve Bleasdale. Bleasdale was unhappy at Atkinson's involvement in the changing room and subsequently banned him and the cameras from the changing rooms on matchdays. However, later in the series Bleasdale relented after being overruled by Chairman Barry Fry.
Some scenes caused quite a stir in Peterborough when the show was aired, including a dressing room brawl between Mark Arber and Paul Carden and Bleasdale rowing with youngsters Sean St Ledger and Adam Fry.
St Ledger joked about suing Sky TV, after claiming the programme showed him as the team's bad boy, which he denied. The media alighted on this, and he was later forced to clarify that the statement was in fact, a joke.
There were several instances during the filming of Atkinson upsetting Bleasdale:
Although the club were short of funds, he persuaded Barry Fry to hire a goalkeeping coach in Tony Godden
Suggesting during an injury crisis to go for Queens Park Rangers striker Stefan Moore on loan. However Bleasdale overruled Atkinson and instead snapped up Lloyd Opara on a free transfer from a local team.
In April 2006, Bleasdale walked out of Peterborough United only 70 minutes before a game against Macclesfield. It was later reported that this was due to clashes with Atkinson. Chairman Barry Fry put himself in charge for the final two games of the season.
Big Ron Manager was regarded as a low point in the fortunes of Peterborough United. However, it proved the catalyst for future revival. Property businessman Darragh MacAnthony-who previously had no connection with the club-watched the show on television and a few months purchased the club and later became chairman. Under MacAthony's investment and his appointment of Darren Ferguson as the club's manager in 2007, Peterborough gained promotion to League One in 2008 and then to the Championship in 2009.
Episode 1
Part 1: • Big Ron Manager Ep1 (1/4)
Part 2: • Big Ron Manager Ep1 (2/4)
Part 3: • Big Ron Manager Ep1 (3/4)
Part 4: • Big Ron Manager Ep1 (4/4)
Wait, so they've won four out of five, they lose one game and suddenly Fry's chewing them out? No wonder the team morale was shit.
Say what you want about Bleo's limitations, lad was doing ok before Big Ron. Ron turning up totally wrecked any authority he had.
Exactly. Steve might have looked a decent managerial prospect so early on but this is Ron Atkinson, ex United, ex Villa ex Atletico Madrid. Who were the players going to listen to more?
@@LALakersNornIron spot on.
Would love to have him on a podcast, sure he’d have plenty to say
When ugly things happen, you are ugly yourselves.
Probably the most agonisingly funny thing I've ever watched. I didn't know whether to cry my eyes out or piss myself laughing. Funnier than Spinal Tap. Sadder than death. God bless them all, they did their best, but it wasn't to be.
Chill ya shit
Fry entering the dressing room to gob off at the players is a huge no-no. Yes, we all know he pays the wages. But he also employs a manager who's totally undermined when Fry pokes his nose in. Man management 101.
Bleasdale got off to a good start but caretaker managers often have a honeymoon period before they're found out tactically. It couldn't have been easy having two ex-managers in Big Ron and Barry Fry scrutinizing his every move. However, he seemed to let those early wins go to his head and worked against Ron's tutelage rather than with it. History will show that Bleasdale wasn't cut out for football management.
What a fantastic watch.
Everybody at the club wanted to pick the team but no one wanted any criticism.
McAnthony (the current Chairman) bought the club on the back of this series.
They should get Ron Atkinson to do the next Southern Comfort ad
I would have walked straight away if I was the manager
You want a ticket Faz?!
Bleo, Fooking referee loses us this game am gonna chin him! 😭
Barry Fry a legend in British football.
Why is Baz in the dressing room he's the chairman.
Don't understand why Steve isn't listening to Ron!?
5 games, 4 wins without Ron, then downhill as soon as Ron shows up! I think the point of this was financial more than the results. Ron brought in loads of investment into the club. COYS!!
+mattlatch your absolutely spot on. You understand it the exact same why I do
Ron I'm sorry you never had Junior Agogo at the Villa he has never played there in his entire career, you had Faz though
Hayes Marshall he played at Sheffield Wednesday
He's Director of Football now.
Fucken promotion................... Good luck chaps.
Mike Bassett.
Ha ha....go get the fuckin job done...any questions....and the players looks irritated.
callum fun
Big Ron the biggest MUG in football!
Pearcey90 shut up idiot
Ron Atkinson should not have interfered
sky paid posh £100k to do this & baz was broke. bleasdale wasn't a mourinho but he were doing ok until big ron & the cameras turned up.