sacked over the phone When Danny Wilson looks back on his time as Bristol City manager, he'll reflect on that dramatic play-off victory over Hartlepool, the silverware, the supporters, the near-misses and ultimately, the sacking. It's been over 18 years since Wilson took that call from Steve Lansdown while holidaying in the Spanish resort of La Manga five days after City's play-off final defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. As Wilson puts it himself, managers have to abide by the owner's decisions during a ruthless but rewarding career but it doesn't mean it still doesn't leave a sour taste. Not just because of the timing of his dismissal but also the nature of it. Wilson is a little more frank in his book: "I couldn't believe I was being sacked over the phone! I felt it was a bit crass, cowardly even, particularly after the positive meeting we'd had just days earlier." "We thought we were on the up, we thought we were putting a good side together, a young side," he told Bristol Post. "We had the likes of Danny Coles, Craig Woodman, Tommy Doherty. We had the nucleus of a team who we could keep together and keep pushing forward again. So that was a disappointment to get that news. All managers think the decision is unjust and that time was no different. "I just felt the circumstances were strange. The prerogative is with the owners, they put the money in and make the decisions you just have to abide by it and that's it. You don't always like it but you get over it." Like many managers who have come before him, Wilson was lured in by City's sleeping giant status. A fantastic city, a passionate fan base and a club with the potential to climb the leagues. Following the disaster of Tony Pulis' regime and Tony Fawthrop's interim spell, Wilson's Premier League experience and attacking brand of football immediately had the supporters on board. "We wanted to get the fans on the edge of their seats. We wanted the players more than anything to enjoy the football and create that feeling that they're unbeatable but within that, you have to create that happy medium where you're not conceding left, right and centre. "We had spells at the football club where we played very well and that was obviously down to a lot of the players we had there and their mentality." Wilson still follows City's progress closely as his former Sheffield Wednesday captain Nigel Pearson aims to become the first manager to steer them to the promised land. "A great captain, he was a leader and in that respect, you always fancied him to carry on that mantle of becoming a manager. He was strong-willed and would run through a brick wall for you. "I don't think anyone knows if they're going to be a manager, it's all about the opportunity. Nigel grasped his opportunity and he's done very, very well. "I do think Bristol City will come strong as the season goes on. The one thing that might worry Nigel at the moment is how they're conceding goals and being a great defender like he was, he obviously won't be too happy with that stat. "But I watch City all the time. I keep an eye on them because they were very good to me in the days I was manager there and I really enjoyed myself in Bristol."
I liked Danny Wilson football and believed he was going to get City promoted. Anybody else have a irritational dislike of Aaron Brown?? Aaron try ****ing running a bit it helps!!
Wilson’s football was attractive but wasn’t there a rather toxic drinking culture at the club back then?
Football was good under him-just not quite enough to take the club forward. Aaron Brown a player that could have been so much better than he was-wasted talent.
Aaron Brown was not part of the drinking cliques. City's top performers did like a pint. They should have dragged the undoubtably talented Brown out with them. Another vote here for Danny Wilsons sides being entertaining.
Interesting that the article talks about Wilson’s attacking style, yet that is what cost us the PO final, he didn’t attack, and left Leroy Lita kicking his heels on the bench. I think that was what irked SL, and made his decision to fire Wilson.
That final defeat to Brighton was gutting We were very poor on the day They weren’t much better Had a great day beforehand playing football and drinking Ruined by the performance and result And the stupid penalty we gave away
Everything you said mirrored my day and what a miserable ride back over the bridge, could have been a field of dreams.
I was actually in England at the time of this match and it was probably one of the best games I have ever seen. It was also a great bonding time with 2 of my brothers as we went to a City game together for the first, and only, time and had a wonderful evening out. The "thing from Tring" was the referee and I had a brief interaction with him on the touchline as he was warming up prior to the game. The game went into a long added time due to the serious injury incurred by a Hartlepool player that required an on-field ambulance during which we won the game to go to the final. I considered staying over for the final but I had to get back to work which in hindsight proved to be the right decision as my heart would have been broken to see us fail to get the ultimate glory. Next season awaits.
I thought what cost us was Liam Rosinior getting banned for foul play in a Fisher Price trophy game in a previous match(??). I might be wrong - it’s a long time ago!! I do remember the little winger who scored for Brighton though - on loan from Chelsea. I noticed him when we played them earlier in the season at BS3 - chasing no-hope balls all game but never giving up. Sure enough, right at the end of the game he chased down a no-hoper which our defender gave up on thinking it was dead. That player (Leon Knight??) kept it in play and they scored the equaliser from it. I said to my mate at the time he was dangerous and would cause us problems. My mate didn’t agree at the time - until they equalised. That draw felt like a defeat.
Lita was the biggest mistake. Another error for Wilson in important games he preferred Hill at LB to Mickey Bell eg 2nd leg p/o at AG v Cardiff a goal down from first leg. Madness.
