Ron Atkinson Biography Quotes 7 Report mistakes

Early Life and Playing Career
Ronald Frederick Atkinson was born in 1939 in Liverpool, England, and grew up at a time when football was the defining pastime of many working-class communities. Known universally as Ron Atkinson, and later nicknamed Big Ron, he became closely associated with the English game first as a player and then as a manager. His playing career was tied above all to Oxford United, where he served as a tough, vocal wing-half and long-serving captain. Joining when the club was still called Headington United, he helped guide it through the period when it took the name Oxford United and won election to the Football League. Over more than a decade he made hundreds of appearances, establishing a reputation for leadership and a combative style that endeared him to supporters and teammates alike. Football was a family affair: his younger brother, Graham Atkinson, became Oxford United's record goal-scorer, and the siblings' parallel careers connected the family name with the club's formative years.

Transition to Management
After hanging up his boots, Atkinson moved into management in the early 1970s, beginning in non-league football with Kettering Town. His early teams reflected the hallmarks that would later become his signature: attacking intent, confidence on the ball, and a belief in expressive wide play. A move to Cambridge United followed, where he built sides that were disciplined yet ambitious, lifting the club's horizons and preparing it for life higher up the league ladder. Those years sharpened his eye for talent, man-management, and the importance of momentum during long seasons.

West Bromwich Albion and the Three Degrees
Atkinson's national profile rose sharply when he took over at West Bromwich Albion. There he assembled an exciting, front-foot team remembered for pace and flair. Central to that side were Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis, and Brendan Batson, a trio later celebrated as the Three Degrees. Their impact transcended footballing success, challenging prejudice and broadening the face of top-flight English football. Atkinson's Albion produced some of the era's most thrilling performances, including a famous 5-3 victory at Old Trafford, and secured high league finishes that returned the club to European competition. His rapport with players, quick wit, and flamboyant touchline persona cemented his public image.

Manchester United
In 1981 Atkinson became manager of Manchester United. Backed by the club's leadership and working closely with colleagues such as Mick Brown, he reshaped the squad, most notably by signing Bryan Robson from West Bromwich Albion for a British record fee. Atkinson's United won the FA Cup twice in three seasons, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion in a replay in 1983 and Everton in 1985, and also lifted the Charity Shield. He promoted and polished talents such as Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath and added experience through figures like Gordon Strachan and Frank Stapleton. Though the league title eluded him, his teams were consistent contenders, known for expansive play. A difficult start to the 1986-87 season led to his departure, and he was succeeded by Alex Ferguson, whose subsequent achievements reframed expectations at Old Trafford.

Continental Foray and Return to England
Atkinson briefly managed West Bromwich Albion again before a move to Atletico Madrid, where he worked under the mercurial chairman Jesus Gil. The Spanish stint was short-lived, emblematic of a volatile environment rather than his appetite for adventure. He returned to England to take charge of Sheffield Wednesday, overseeing a period that blended pragmatism with cup pedigree.

Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa
Atkinson's Sheffield Wednesday won the 1991 League Cup, beating Manchester United at Wembley thanks to John Sheridan's strike, a result that stands as one of the club's modern high points. He then joined Aston Villa, where he worked under chairman Doug Ellis. Villa finished runners-up in the inaugural Premier League season of 1992-93, pushing the title race deep into spring. In 1994 his Villa side won the League Cup by defeating Manchester United 3-1, with goals from Dalian Atkinson and Dean Saunders, a triumph that showcased his ability to galvanize players for major occasions. Despite these highs, inconsistency brought his tenure to an end later that year.

Coventry City, Wednesday Again, and Nottingham Forest
At Coventry City he initially acted as manager and then moved into a director of football role as Gordon Strachan stepped forward to lead the team from the touchline. The arrangement reflected Atkinson's evolving status as a senior figure able to advise on recruitment and strategy. He later returned to Sheffield Wednesday for a brief spell to stabilize the club, and in 1999 took charge of Nottingham Forest in a rescue mission that proved too late to prevent relegation. Across these posts he remained a prominent, polarizing presence: adept at boosting morale and attracting players, yet sometimes hampered by squads in transition and tight timelines.

Broadcasting and Public Controversy
Parallel to his management career and increasingly afterward, Atkinson became a high-profile television pundit, most prominently with ITV. His commentary mixed tactical insight with the flamboyance that made him a household name. In 2004, however, he made a racist remark about Marcel Desailly during a Champions League broadcast, unaware that his microphone was still transmitting to certain feeds. The comment led to immediate resignation from his media roles and widespread condemnation. Atkinson issued public apologies and, in the years that followed, spoke about the incident in interviews and documentaries. He later appeared in a fly-on-the-wall series, Big Ron Manager, working with Peterborough United alongside club figure Barry Fry and manager Steve Bleasdale, a programme that offered a candid look at dressing-room dynamics and the complications of behind-the-scenes intervention.

Legacy and Personal Life
Ron Atkinson's legacy in English football is complicated yet substantial. As a manager, he championed bold attacking play and fostered teams that entertained and won cups. At West Bromwich Albion, his backing of Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis, and Brendan Batson created both sporting success and a cultural landmark. At Manchester United he returned the club to regular silverware, laying a foundation that preceded Alex Ferguson's era. At Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa he delivered major trophies and memorable seasons. His career is also inseparable from the 2004 broadcast incident, which altered public perceptions and curtailed his mainstream media profile. Family ties to the game, notably through his brother Graham Atkinson, highlight the deep roots of football in his life. Those who played for him often recall his charisma, man-management, and capacity to instill confidence, qualities that kept him central to the English football conversation for decades.

Our collection contains 7 quotes who is written by Ron, under the main topics: Witty One-Liners - Victory - Sports.