Fred Eyre

Stanley Frederick Eyre (born 3 February 1944) is an English former professional football player and coach. After retiring from the sport, Eyre became a successful businessman, author, after-dinner speaker and radio pundit. He is the father of former Rochdale manager Steve Eyre.

Career

Playing career Born in Manchester, Eyre played as a wing half and began his early career as an apprentice at Football League club Manchester City, where he cleaned boots for players including Bert Trautmann and Denis Law, his playing heroes. Eyre was Manchester City's first ever apprentice. Failing to make the grade at Manchester City, he signed with Lincoln City in 1963 and then had a trial with Huddersfield Town before signing for Crewe Alexandra at the start of the 1964–65 season, but he never made a first-team appearance for either team. After leaving Crewe Alexandra in 1965, Eyre played in the English non-League system with a total of twenty clubs, including Oswestry Town, Rossendale United, New Brighton, Ellesmere Port, Radcliffe Borough and Chadderton.

Coaching career Eyre worked on the coaching staff of both Bradford Park Avenue and Southport, and had a brief spell as caretaker manager of Wigan Athletic in 1981, winning one game and drawing a second. |Fred Eyre

As of 2009, Eyre co-commentated on Manchester City matches for BBC Radio Manchester. He was still in the role as of 2011, when he suffered from a 'mystery illness'.

Books After retiring as a player he became a writer, publishing books including: Kicked Into Touch Another Breath Of Fred Eyre What A Game! (with Roy Cavanagh) Star Games Taking The Mike