Joe Royle, the Ipswich Town manager, has thrown his hat into the ring for the England job, e-mails seen by The Times reveal . . .
From: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
To: brianbarwick@fa.org
Subject: Scousers
Bri, I wanted a quiet word, Scouser to Scouser. It’s about this England job. Never mind all these boys from the Premier League and all them foreigners. What about me?
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From: brianbarwick@fa.org
To: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
Subject: Soho
Thanks for the note, Joe. But it’s a pretty big step from Suffolk to Soho Square.
From: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
To: brianbarwick@fa.org
Subject: Ipswich old boys
Look at the form, though. Best two England managers ever — Sir Alf and Sir Bobby. Both hired from Ipswich Town.
From: brianbarwick@fa.org
To: joeroyle@ipswichtown
Subject: committee
Well, I’ll put your name to the sub-committee, but they might take more convincing than that.
From: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
To: brianbarwick@fa.org
Subject: R
And all our surnames begin with R. That’s got to count for something.
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From: brianbarwick@fa.org
To: joeroyle@ipswichtown
Subject: Redknapp
Just two words, Joe. Harry Redknapp.
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From: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
To: brianbarwick@fa.org
Subject: comedians
Ah, but Bri, it’d be gear with you and me in charge. All Scousers together. Stevie G could be captain instead of that Cockney prat Beckham. Paul Jewell could be me assistant. We could even get Tarbie and Stan Boardman in at half-time to tell a few jokes and relax the boys. It’d be sound. That’s what was wrong with the team under Sven. No comedians around the place.
From: brianbarwick@fa.org
To: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
Subject: turtle
I don’t know, Joe. Once Tord Grip’s had a couple of shots of Absolut he can be bloody hysterical. First time I seen him he had me in stitches doing this impression of a turtle. I was killing meself until Sven said: “Leave it Brian, that’s his normal face.”
From: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
To: brianbarwick@fa.org
Subject: job
Go ‘ead then, Bri. Gizzit.
From: brianbarwick@fa.org
To: joeroyle@ipswichtown.com
Subject: list
I’d love to, big feller. I’ll tell you what. I’m putting your name on the shortlist. You’re right there with Stevie McClaren, Stevie Coppell, Stevie Bruce, Arsène, José, Rafa, Fabio, Robbo, Martin O, Platty, Sparky, Moyesie, Pearcey, Jolly, Dowie, Trappatoni, O’Leary, Souey, Reidy, Sir Trev, Sir Alex, Sir Bobby, Sir Clive, Curbs, Glenn, Tel, Guus, Pards, Big Phil, Big Ron, Big Sam, Big Jack, Mick Mac, Warnock, Gazza, Ian Holloway and George Galloway.