The JBM I Know
I had been in around the team for a couple of years before that and played a few league games, but it was a great to play alongside Jimmy in the championship as he was a hero of mine.
I wouldn’t say I was overawed but you would say it was a huge honour. As a young player you’d be a bit nervous but he helped to settle me down and it was amazing to just see what he was capable of.
When you’re watching from the bank you have a certain view of a player but then up close you really see it. Jimmy had such fine skills, and very quick wrists, it was a pleasure to watch him.
He had a very big influence on the team in ’86, he would have been very close to the manager Johnny Clifford. That was telling in two ways, obviously it helped us win that year but I think he took a lot from it going forward, like Johnny he’d be a very player-based coach. When he came back as manager, there were a few tough years but I think it showed great faith and courage to give the younger lads a go and that was rewarded in 1999.
As U21 manager, I’d have had a good working relationship with Jimmy when he returned to the senior job. I was very impressed with his attitude and the willingness to embrace youth again. He took some very tough decisions but while he’s a fairly unassuming guy there is a real steel to him.”
