29th March 2021
Interview conducted by Adam Holt
I recently caught up with ex-Manager Brian Horton who's career in football (as a player and manager) spans over 2000 games - Horton is only behind Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of games in management. I discussed a plethora of topics with Horton, from the beginnings of his playing career at Hednesford, to his time in charge of Manchester City. I also have gauged his opinion on the transformation of City as a club since he was their manager, as well as his take on VAR (Video Assistant Referee)'s execution in the Premier League so far.
Previous clubs:
Player: Hednesford Town (1966 - 1970), Port Vale (1970 - 1976), Brighton & Hove Albion (1976 - 1981), Luton Town (1981 - 1984) & Hull City (1984 - 1986).
Manager: Hull City (1984 - 1988), Oxford United (1988 - 1993), Manchester City (1993 - 1995), Huddersfield Town (1995 - 1997), Brighton & Hove Albion (1998 - 1999), Port Vale (1999 - 2004) & Macclesfield Town (2004 - 2006 & 2012).
Check out the Q&A below!
How did it feel to finally become a professional footballer when you joined Port Vale in 1970?
“I was an apprentice at Walsall when I was 15 and at 17 they thought I would not make it. I started to work in the building trade and played non-league football with Hednesford Town – but I got signed by Gordon Lee, who was the manager of Port Vale at the time. This was a very important moment for me.”
You experienced a lot of success at your long stints at Port Vale and Brighton. Which achievement would you mark as your favourite?
“Whilst I was playing at Port Vale, we were always in the third division. I joined Brighton in 1976 and got promoted to the second division in the 1976/77 season and missed out on promotion to the first division on goal difference in our first season in the second division. I was captain and I helped Brighton get promoted to the first division for the first time in the club’s history after beating Newcastle 3-1 on the last day, where I scored one of the goals.”
Further to the last question, what would you say was the biggest challenge you faced in you playing career? Also, what do you make of the club’s transformation from when you were there in the early days of the Premier League to now?
“The biggest challenge of my playing career came in the 1980/81 season, where we (Luton Town) had to win the last four games of the season to avoid relegation – which we did. We had to draw or beat Manchester City on the final day to survive and we won, which relegated City. The club has transformed a lot since I was manager – so the change at the club has been massive with the owners and also since Guardiola took charge of City in 2017.”
How big of an achievement was it for you to prevent Oxford United being relegated from the second division?
“Oxford United was a hard job, even more so when owner Robert Maxwell passed away. Following this we had to sell players in order to make ends meet and just to keep the club afloat and ensure its survival. The win at Tranmere (Rovers) to avoid relegation on the final day of the season was a great achievement.”
You were sixth with Manchester City in the 1994/95 season at one point, how disappointing was it to miss out on European football?
“It was very disappointing; I had a tough time at City – there was a takeover and a massive turnover on the field. I thought I did a good job and the fans enjoyed the football we played and I still hold warm feelings towards the club.”
How does it feel to be second only to Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of games in management?
“I am one of only thirty-two managers in the history of football to have managed over 1000 games (LMA 1000 Club) and I am very proud to be part of this elite list of managers. I was involved in additional games as a number 2 and as a player.”
Was there something or someone who inspired you to start writing your book, ‘Two Thousand Games - A Life in Football’?
“Tim Rich (the author) had already done the likes of Ron Atkinson and Marcelo Bielsa and he came to me when he was doing a book on (Manchester) City managers. I had some great stories and we got started and I loved writing it, and it also reignited some memories from the past such as from my childhood.”
Finally, what is your opinion on VAR, and its implementation in the Premier League?
“I don’t like it (VAR). It is stopping goal celebrations and City have been on the end of a few poor decisions by VAR this season with the incident where Phil Foden had looked to have won a penalty coming to mind - 99% of people would have said Foden was fouled, but VAR said no. People make mistakes and the authority has been taken away from referees. Some of the offside calls this season have been ridiculous, and the flow of games has been stopped.”
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A, there will be more coming soon - so keep an eye out for them!
Previous clubs:
Player: Hednesford Town (1966 - 1970), Port Vale (1970 - 1976), Brighton & Hove Albion (1976 - 1981), Luton Town (1981 - 1984) & Hull City (1984 - 1986).
Manager: Hull City (1984 - 1988), Oxford United (1988 - 1993), Manchester City (1993 - 1995), Huddersfield Town (1995 - 1997), Brighton & Hove Albion (1998 - 1999), Port Vale (1999 - 2004) & Macclesfield Town (2004 - 2006 & 2012).
Check out the Q&A below!
How did it feel to finally become a professional footballer when you joined Port Vale in 1970?
“I was an apprentice at Walsall when I was 15 and at 17 they thought I would not make it. I started to work in the building trade and played non-league football with Hednesford Town – but I got signed by Gordon Lee, who was the manager of Port Vale at the time. This was a very important moment for me.”
You experienced a lot of success at your long stints at Port Vale and Brighton. Which achievement would you mark as your favourite?
“Whilst I was playing at Port Vale, we were always in the third division. I joined Brighton in 1976 and got promoted to the second division in the 1976/77 season and missed out on promotion to the first division on goal difference in our first season in the second division. I was captain and I helped Brighton get promoted to the first division for the first time in the club’s history after beating Newcastle 3-1 on the last day, where I scored one of the goals.”
Further to the last question, what would you say was the biggest challenge you faced in you playing career? Also, what do you make of the club’s transformation from when you were there in the early days of the Premier League to now?
“The biggest challenge of my playing career came in the 1980/81 season, where we (Luton Town) had to win the last four games of the season to avoid relegation – which we did. We had to draw or beat Manchester City on the final day to survive and we won, which relegated City. The club has transformed a lot since I was manager – so the change at the club has been massive with the owners and also since Guardiola took charge of City in 2017.”
How big of an achievement was it for you to prevent Oxford United being relegated from the second division?
“Oxford United was a hard job, even more so when owner Robert Maxwell passed away. Following this we had to sell players in order to make ends meet and just to keep the club afloat and ensure its survival. The win at Tranmere (Rovers) to avoid relegation on the final day of the season was a great achievement.”
You were sixth with Manchester City in the 1994/95 season at one point, how disappointing was it to miss out on European football?
“It was very disappointing; I had a tough time at City – there was a takeover and a massive turnover on the field. I thought I did a good job and the fans enjoyed the football we played and I still hold warm feelings towards the club.”
How does it feel to be second only to Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of games in management?
“I am one of only thirty-two managers in the history of football to have managed over 1000 games (LMA 1000 Club) and I am very proud to be part of this elite list of managers. I was involved in additional games as a number 2 and as a player.”
Was there something or someone who inspired you to start writing your book, ‘Two Thousand Games - A Life in Football’?
“Tim Rich (the author) had already done the likes of Ron Atkinson and Marcelo Bielsa and he came to me when he was doing a book on (Manchester) City managers. I had some great stories and we got started and I loved writing it, and it also reignited some memories from the past such as from my childhood.”
Finally, what is your opinion on VAR, and its implementation in the Premier League?
“I don’t like it (VAR). It is stopping goal celebrations and City have been on the end of a few poor decisions by VAR this season with the incident where Phil Foden had looked to have won a penalty coming to mind - 99% of people would have said Foden was fouled, but VAR said no. People make mistakes and the authority has been taken away from referees. Some of the offside calls this season have been ridiculous, and the flow of games has been stopped.”
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A, there will be more coming soon - so keep an eye out for them!