This Is How It Feels

by Mike Keegan

Hard shoulder, M62 eastbound, June 1982 …Britain is on the verge of taking the Falkland Islands back from the Argentine invaders and for the first time since the 1930s, three million people are unemployed with the nation reeling from recession. One of those searching for a job is stood on the motorway which links the north of England’s east and west coasts.The newly-retired former Everton, Manchester City and England striker Joe Royle is forced to hitch a lift to Boundary Park for what he thinks is an interview at backwater Oldham Athletic after his car has broken down.After jumping out of a lorry cab, Royle is told that the job is his – and that he will have to sell a player or the club will go bust.Later that day, bailiffs drop in and eye up his office furniture. That night he is in his own garage, stencilling the players’ initials on training kit as the reality of what he has undertaken hits home.What happened next is one of the great, untold football miracles of all time

Hardcover

Published August 26, 2021

Reviews

[Gill Woolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant memories of the best times at OAFC. If only our team now were half as good.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I was there. The 20 years I have supported the club have not been great but this book, and it's telling of the glory years for the club, make me realise that even in the darkest times for Oldham Athletic, the History of the club cannot be removed. A fantastic book. This is How it Feels to Be Oldham.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fan literature done by an experienced sports reporter. In spite of the reporterese throughout the book, it's a well-told tale with plenty of colour, joy and reportage. The football club, currently in the league below the Football League, need to return to these days quickly, but the pull of the two Manchester clubs might make it tough.

[MITCH JOHNSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oldham proud

Fantastic book. Well written and a wonderful read. I’m a lifelong Latics fan and loved reading about a childhood hero of mine, Joe Royle. I moved from Oldham to America in 1979, I was an avid member of Jimmy Frizzel’s army. This book was a great catchup of Oldham’s rise into division one and then being a founding member of the premier league.

[Abhirarm Chandrasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being somewhat unfamiliar with Oldham’s success in the early 90s, the book was a very enjoyable ride from start to finish.

[Ger Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book. One of the best football books I've ever read. Highly recommend.

[Paul McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Really well written and the colour pieces on the individual players were excellent

[Ruaridh Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the closest I'll ever get to witnessing Oldham winning promotion, never mind to the First Division.
Great book 👍