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Class of 92: Out of Our League
As modern football legends, the Class of 92 need no introduction. Class of 92: Out of Their League, however, opens a dramatic new chapter in the story of former Manchester United greats Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, as they take on a new role in each of their lives: owners of semi-professional club Salford City FC.
An enthralling, in-depth account of Salford's first two years under new ownership, Class of 92: Out of Their League combines first-hand accounts from Gary, Phil, Paul, Ryan and Nicky as they try to turn round the club's fortunes, along with a wider story of tremendous athletic and human drama. Featuring colourful characters like managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, star players, club chairman Karen Baird, lifelong fans, and more, this is a story told with real authenticity and grit. Accompanying the second series of the hugely popular BBC series, Class of 92: Out of Their League is both a testament to the best of modern football and a brilliant reminder, in an era when fans are threatening walkouts over rising ticket prices, of what football is really all about.
An enthralling, in-depth account of Salford's first two years under new ownership, Class of 92: Out of Their League combines first-hand accounts from Gary, Phil, Paul, Ryan and Nicky as they try to turn round the club's fortunes, along with a wider story of tremendous athletic and human drama. Featuring colourful characters like managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, star players, club chairman Karen Baird, lifelong fans, and more, this is a story told with real authenticity and grit. Accompanying the second series of the hugely popular BBC series, Class of 92: Out of Their League is both a testament to the best of modern football and a brilliant reminder, in an era when fans are threatening walkouts over rising ticket prices, of what football is really all about.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 2016
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99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 17, 2022
Being a MU fan for 28 years, there was no way I wouldn't read a book about those players I admired and watched for 2 decades. But this book was a complete surprise, it was not about the class of 92 and their accomplishments or their fame as elite players. This was a love a letter to the Beautiful game. Buying Salford City FC, a club where those 5 boys grew up and have lived with the history, the community, the passion of a city that was shadowed by the 2 Manchester club. It made so much sense that they bought a non-professional team because the higher you go, the more money involved and the more you lose those traditions that are in the fabric of those people.
Salford city FC had that verve that every team had in the 70s to early 90s until money started flowing. As owners, they had a vision of what to do to make the team successful. However it didn't work out as planned and they began to realise the need to respect the past, the people and traditions as well as adapt to become a modern football club. It wasn't about pouring money into the club, it was about involving and everyone and making the team function on its own. And there are those anecdotes from those middle class boys who had talent, worked hard and had a bit of luck. It also talks about how modern football is ruining grassroot football, how local players aren't prepared to be given the best chances to make it and how "mollycoddling" is creating a weak mentality. But altogether this is a beautiful ode to Football and I loved it
Salford city FC had that verve that every team had in the 70s to early 90s until money started flowing. As owners, they had a vision of what to do to make the team successful. However it didn't work out as planned and they began to realise the need to respect the past, the people and traditions as well as adapt to become a modern football club. It wasn't about pouring money into the club, it was about involving and everyone and making the team function on its own. And there are those anecdotes from those middle class boys who had talent, worked hard and had a bit of luck. It also talks about how modern football is ruining grassroot football, how local players aren't prepared to be given the best chances to make it and how "mollycoddling" is creating a weak mentality. But altogether this is a beautiful ode to Football and I loved it
August 1, 2017
As a Salford City FC fan, this is an interesting look on how the club is ran in light of the Class of 92 ownership. It offers a fascinating insight into what happens behind the scenes, and will perhaps make me more appreciative as a spectator in the stands.
It is, undoubtedly, more a work of PR than journalism, but as someone who attends games at Moor Lane, it does not matter for me; although the neutral may find it somewhat self-indulgent and repetitive. During the parts of the books involving interviews with Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, it does have the tendency to repeat itself and keep on reiterating points.
It is an amusing and engaging read about a subject close to home, as an adopted Salfordian and an Ammies fan. Come on, Salford!
It is, undoubtedly, more a work of PR than journalism, but as someone who attends games at Moor Lane, it does not matter for me; although the neutral may find it somewhat self-indulgent and repetitive. During the parts of the books involving interviews with Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, it does have the tendency to repeat itself and keep on reiterating points.
It is an amusing and engaging read about a subject close to home, as an adopted Salfordian and an Ammies fan. Come on, Salford!
January 2, 2025
As a former football manager and coach I can see this book from different angles. There are nuggets and good information but I found the main story jump around too much. Great achievement and courage of the class of 92 to take on 50% of the financial responsibility to manage a football club from the lower levels to where it is today.
I wish all the team and player good luck against Manchester City in the FA Cup next Saturday 11th January live on BBC1. Come an "ammies" you can do it..
I wish all the team and player good luck against Manchester City in the FA Cup next Saturday 11th January live on BBC1. Come an "ammies" you can do it..
February 14, 2018
Great read
Captured the spirit of salford, non league and the class of 92 amazingly. Would be great to have regular updates on book form of where the story goes. Good luck to all involved!
Captured the spirit of salford, non league and the class of 92 amazingly. Would be great to have regular updates on book form of where the story goes. Good luck to all involved!
October 2, 2019
An excellent supplement of the TV programme adding some meat on to the bones. Very good
October 24, 2019
It’s pretty meh. I didn’t hate it but would only be fun for a Man U fan like me.
Read
July 22, 2021very interesting and informative
July 19, 2020
I've read a lot of books about football over the years but they're mainly around top players or managers famous for being among the best in the world, involved in the top European competitions and playing for major clubs and such. In a way, Class of 92: Out of Our League is no different in the sense that it follows the famous Class of 92 of Manchester United (Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt) but not in their capacity as world class players. Instead, the book follows them on their careers post-retirement where they have decided to take over as owners (with Singaporean businessman Peter Lim) Salford City FC, a football club from Salford in Manchester, as their way of giving back to the community.
The footballing pyramid in England is a massive system though international attention is mainly centred around the top tier of the English Premier League. The next three tiers after that round up the Football League system and from the fifth division onwards, the clubs are known as "non-league teams" and usually involve semi-pro or amateur players. At the time that the book was written, Salford City had just been promoted to the Northern Premier League Northern Division, six tiers below the world-famous Premier League.
What I liked about this book was that it gave me an inside look into both the workings of ownership of a football club and the life of Salford City FC's semi-pro players. Compared to the fame and fortune of professional football players, these players were only earning a few pounds per match and they had day jobs that they had to commit too as well. Missing matches due to their working commitments or having only 3 hours of sleep before needing to report to a 5am morning shift at work are challenges that these players face and yet, they continue to turn up and play for their club.
Obviously not everyone can make it to the top tiers but for those who continue to play at lower levels, it's really inspiring how much players or managers are still willing to give for much smaller sized clubs, or how these clubs are still being able to run with all these operating costs to bring players to away matches, maintain their stadiums, etc etc. Football culture is truly a huge part of the English lifestyle and at these small clubs, the sense of community is perhaps much stronger compared to internationally renowned clubs.
The book gave some insights to the lives of the Class of 92 as well, such as Gary Neville's infamous stint at managing Valencia and their behind-the-scenes running of the club but surprisingly, they pale in comparison to the team talks or stories behind their eventual promotion to the sixth tier of the National League North. Full of characters like the rare co-managers Morley and Johson or ex-professionals Danny Webber and Gareth Seddon who for various reasons dropped down to the non-league tiers, Class of 92: Out of Our League was a rare and in-depth look at lives of those who aren't the best but maybe the most passionate about football.
The footballing pyramid in England is a massive system though international attention is mainly centred around the top tier of the English Premier League. The next three tiers after that round up the Football League system and from the fifth division onwards, the clubs are known as "non-league teams" and usually involve semi-pro or amateur players. At the time that the book was written, Salford City had just been promoted to the Northern Premier League Northern Division, six tiers below the world-famous Premier League.
What I liked about this book was that it gave me an inside look into both the workings of ownership of a football club and the life of Salford City FC's semi-pro players. Compared to the fame and fortune of professional football players, these players were only earning a few pounds per match and they had day jobs that they had to commit too as well. Missing matches due to their working commitments or having only 3 hours of sleep before needing to report to a 5am morning shift at work are challenges that these players face and yet, they continue to turn up and play for their club.
Obviously not everyone can make it to the top tiers but for those who continue to play at lower levels, it's really inspiring how much players or managers are still willing to give for much smaller sized clubs, or how these clubs are still being able to run with all these operating costs to bring players to away matches, maintain their stadiums, etc etc. Football culture is truly a huge part of the English lifestyle and at these small clubs, the sense of community is perhaps much stronger compared to internationally renowned clubs.
The book gave some insights to the lives of the Class of 92 as well, such as Gary Neville's infamous stint at managing Valencia and their behind-the-scenes running of the club but surprisingly, they pale in comparison to the team talks or stories behind their eventual promotion to the sixth tier of the National League North. Full of characters like the rare co-managers Morley and Johson or ex-professionals Danny Webber and Gareth Seddon who for various reasons dropped down to the non-league tiers, Class of 92: Out of Our League was a rare and in-depth look at lives of those who aren't the best but maybe the most passionate about football.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2017
Plenty of good stuff, but the way it is put together makes a bit confusing, switching from one persons view to the next. Interesting to see the next chapter in their story. Can't wait. Salford is definitely turning out to be my 2nd club after Manchester United.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews