By Dave Thomas
February 27 2012
It’s done, dare I say it. It’s been a long time in preparation. Thanks for the Memories, the football stories of Roger Eli, is due for publication on April 14th.
256 pages, 16 pages of illustrations, hardback and a price of £14.99: that’s a good price for a hardback these days when many of them seem to appear at £18.99. Copies can be ordered from Dave Thomas beehivethomas@aol.com or 0113 2555350. Signed copies including packing and postage are available at £20.00 Signed copies plus a 91/92 programme also signed by Roger are available at £26 including post and packing. 7 bumper packs are available at £75 Inc. postage. This pack consists of book signed by Roger. End of season programme signed by Roger, with the cover that says Fourth Division Champions AND all three of the Derby County FA Cup programmes from that season – all signed by Roger. Four of these packs are still available. The chapters cover his early days, time spent with Brian Clough at Forest, his teenage years at Leeds United with Eddie Gray and then Billy Bremner, the move to Wolves; and then the drift round the lower leagues until finally finding his feet again at Burnley. Three chapters cover the 91/92 season in depth. One chapter is devoted to the racism he encountered. The post 91/92 chapters cover his injury despairs, then 4 months in China before dallying with Scunthorpe and then Partick Thistle. It’s a proper football story of what happens when the dream doesn’t quite come true, when the decisions of others affect your life and career, when injuries cause immense frustrations. And above all it is a story of what happens when you are no longer in favour with the man who picks the team – the manager. Today Roger runs Ventura Office Supplies based near Bingley, still plays charity games with the ex-Clarets, and is due to lead a group of ex-Clarets on a tour to Germany. Roger was a cult hero and remains a Burnley legend. He had his happiest years at Burnley; was player of the Season and scorer of goal of the Season in ‘91/92. When he recovered from a bad injury early in ’93 he had fallen from favour. As Jimmy Mullen brought in striker after striker, Roger longed for another chance. It never came. He kicked his heels for nearly 18 months until his contract ended. It rankles with him to this day. |
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