I checked out his autobiography in Foyles today. We cover 4 pages out of 278 or something like that. He was very complimentary about Michael Glicksten, "a true gent." He bubbled on about what a skint disaster zone we were then with rain pouring through the portocabin (at the Valley). A lovely description of Derek shooting the pigeons in the west stand for his pigeon pie! The best bit surprised me. After gathering a decent squad together he wanted Archie Gemell to come in and boss the midfield but Michael G. said no as he had already spent the money. Shame that. ...visions of Gemell's wonder goal at the world cup every other week at the Valley. Sighs.
Worth a read for 10 minutes at your local bookshop. Glad he wound up the palarse fans.
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I've read the same chapter , I also seem to remember an earlier book which had a slightly longer chapter about us .
Mullery was a strange appointment for us at the time if as he states we had no ambition . He had just taken Brighton up into the top flight and was seen as one of the games 'bright young managers' . We had just got promoted from the old Third Division ( ie where we are now) and Mike Bailey went to the Goldstone because he alleges that Glicksten would not offer him a contract .
I remember Mullers signed legendary Welsh International Leighton Phillips , former Chelsea keeper John Phillips , Steve Harrison and Don Mcallister directly from Spurs as well as younger players like Phil Ferns Billy Landsdowne and later Dave Mehmet , so allied to Derek Hales , Nicky Johns ,Paul Elliott , Kevein Smith , Terry Naylor and Paul Walsh we had the nucleus of a side that could have gone up . This was one of those seasons where Gemmill or possibly Dave Mccreary ( who was also linked at the time ) could have made the difference .
My favourite story from the book is about Benny Fenton who he says had an Umberella at his desk because there was a leaky roof and the rain kept sneeking in . He was described as a bitter old man because he kept reminding Mullers that he had destroyed his dreams of taking Millwall up to the old First Division ( the equavalent of the Prem ) by scoring for Fulham in a vital game at Craven Cottage .
Exactly the type of player we could do with now - aggressive, driving the team on.
But what's not commonly remembered was that the Yugoslavs were kicking lumps out of the England team in that Euro 1968 Semi-Final and the referee was letting them get away with it all match long.
Mullery retaliated and was shown a red card, but Alf Ramsey stuck by his man and made him England's captain when Bobby Morre was unavailable.
Thirded. Always thought he was a lemon - every time he opens his mouth he convinces me even more.
For those who don't remember him, Mullery was an eighties Pardew, all mouth and no trousers and full of his own importance.
The difference is that Mullery was a far better player than the big nosed one.