Big Fry

This edition does not include images.

Barry Fry was one of the most colourful characters in English football. His journeyman career took him to Old Trafford, where as a player he was one of the original Busby Babes, through to football management at Barnet, Southend, Birmingham and Peterborough, among other clubs.

Wherever he went, ‘Bazza’ had a knack of making the headlines. His days as a youth apprentice for Manchester United saw plenty of action on the pitch as he came under the tutelage of Matt Busby – but even more off it as he joined the likes of George Best on ‘a binge of birds, booze and betting’.

He quickly gained the reputation of ‘the has-been that never was’. Playing stints at Luton, Bedford and Stevenage failed to inspire a reckless Fry, and it wasn’t long before injury forced him to hang up his boots. His first managerial role was at Dunstable, where Fry recalls with sharp humour how the chairman had suitcases full of currency in his office with hitmen protecting them.

He followed this with spells at Maidstone and Barnet, – where he joined forces with the notorious Stan Flashman and proved his pedigree by gaining the club promotion into the League – and Southend, where he was responsible for bringing on a young Stan Collymore. It wasn’t long before he was poached by Birmingham under owner and ex-pornographer David Sullevan and his glamorous sidekick, Karren Brady – about whom Fry revels in some marvellous stories concerning their love-hate relationship.

Whether it’s tax evasion, fraud, transfer bribes or chicanery in the dressing room, Barry Fry experienced it all as a player, manager and club owner. He is ready to tell everything in his autobiography – ‘Enough to make your eyes water’.

About the author

Phil Rostron is a freelance sportswriter whose career includes over 20 years working at the Express and the Daily Star. His other books include autobiographies of Willy Carson and Henry Cecil.