Always Managing: My Autobiography (50 page)

My first season at Bournemouth under John Bond, 1972–73. The hair was getting longer, the goals fewer and the knees dodgier.

In my first full season as manager with the Cherries in 1984 we pulled off the mother of all upsets by knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup. In my programme notes I wax lyrical about my stunning own goal the last time we’d played them in the Milk Cup.

Winning the Bell’s Manager of the Season 1986–87, having taken Bournemouth to the dizzy heights of Division Two for the first time in their history.

Going up, going up, going up. The only way to celebrate was to get in the bath with the team.

My friend Brian Tiler and me in our pomp at Bournemouth. He would never make it out of the wreckage of our minibus on that fateful night in Latina during Italia 90. I was luckier. I still sorely miss him.

Stormy weather – me and Bill in 1992. I didn’t have to think twice when I got the call from West Ham, but our relationship was destined to not always run that smoothly.

Signing big John Hartson for West Ham in 1997. With desire and commitment like his, you could forgive him almost anything. His goals saved us from relegation that year.

Losing 0–1 to Charlton in 1999. Standing anxiously on the touchline is something I’ve made a career out of. It is always easier to suffer the disappointments though when you have men like Frank Lampard Senior beside you.

‘Yes Paolo, I know Paolo, don’t worry Paolo’. Di Canio might have always bent my ear during training sessions, but it was worth it come Saturday. Among a small legion of foreign disasters, he stands tall as West Ham’s greatest ever import.

Here I am at West Ham in classic manager’s office pose – a phone, a fax, a video tape, a copy of Rothmans, a nice cuppa and I’m ready for business.

I’d first met Milan when he ran the San Jose Earthquakes back in the 70s. From the minute we met to talk about Portsmouth we hit it off. He’s a true character.

‘Harry and Jim’ the fans would sing at Fratton Park and with his 30 years of experience we really were a winning double act. But Milan didn’t see it that way and never truly took to Jim. The bust-ups over him would eventually result in me leaving the club.