Cavanagh is a prolific author and entrepreneur.
Roy Cavanagh, MBE, is a venerable figure with an illustrious 51-year tenure at Seddon, a passion for sports, and an impressive literary career. Born and raised in Salford’s Dock area, now known as Media City, the historian has authored over 30 books about football and cricket. Beyond the literary zenith of his pursuits, Roy Cavanagh is hailed for his sterling contributions to the construction industry, a testament to his unwavering dedication to advancing apprenticeship initiatives. These programs, championed by him, have manifested as catalysts for positive transformation in the lives of aspiring youth, not only in Salford but reverberating across the expanse of the United Kingdom.
Roy has vivid memories of growing up in the greater Manchester area.
Roy Cavanagh: I have lived in Salford for 76 years. During my childhood, I lived in a slum near Ordsall Hall, located near the Salford Docks. Despite the poor living conditions, I considered myself fortunate because I had easy access to the famous Manchester United stadiums and Lancashire County Cricket Club, just a minute’s walk away. Watching sports as a child made me feel safe. Old Trafford was known as the ‘Theatre of Colour’ to me. The Old Gold of Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Royal Blue of Everton, the blue and white strips of West Bromwich Albion, and the red of United lifted my spirits. The green playing field was rare and had a positive impact.
A devoted follower of Manchester United since the 1950s, Roy’s early memories include witnessing the brilliance of the Busby Babes as a child, an era tragically marked by the Munich air disaster in 1958. Roy recollects raw emotions and sentiments about the Busby Babes, and he says, “The shadow of the Munich air disaster on February 6th, 1958, remains a poignant tragedy that still lingers in my heart to this day. My connection with The Busby Babes began in 1955 at the tender age of eight, as I witnessed their journey from the youth team to the reserves and eventually to the first team at Manchester United. The match against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup and the reserve game against Wolves in 1958 left a lasting impression on me. I was just ten years old on the day of the tragic crash, focused on my studies after school. Meeting with friends later that day, I caught sight of a jarring headline on a billboard announcing, ‘United in Plane Crash!'” It wasn’t until the evening news on BBC that the total weight of the situation hit me. In those days, newspapers served as our primary sources of information. The profound resonance of this tragedy, my inaugural encounter with mortality, resonated profoundly. Football, a monumental solace in my youth, left an immeasurable void in their absence. The September 1958 return to the football grounds signaled not merely a resumption of spectating but a poignant odyssey toward healing from the loss of both my team and my life.”
Courtesy Amazon.com
While contributing significantly to the construction industry for which he earned an MBE, Roy’s dual career as an author blossomed in his thirties. He started by writing letters to sports papers in Manchester and went on to write for Manchester United’s club program. He has written many acclaimed books, often collaborating with Carl Abbott, to celebrate the legacy of Manchester United.
Roy says what inspired him to transition into writing: “Between 1958 and 1962, during my senior school years, career guidance was absent, and vocational choices were based on one’s skills. Despite a deep-seated passion for journalism, I chose a clerical job in 1962, preceding the opportunity to pursue my writing fervor. At 30, I initiated correspondence with the Manchester Sports Paper, contributing my perspectives on sports such as football, cricket, basketball, rugby, and horse racing. This endeavour proved fruitful, earning me occasional £10 rewards. Further, my insights on old football matches garnered attention, prompting me to propose ideas to the editor of ‘The United Review,’ Manchester United’s program. This resulted in the publication of numerous full-page articles from January 1980, extending over six years.”
TSC’s Ravi Mandapaka caught up with Roy Cavanagh, a United Through and through. Here are the excerpts from the talk.
Ravi: Your latest project is about Manchester United’s Greatest Eleven, and I’m curious what motivated you and readers can expect from your upcoming book. Who, according to you, are the top 5 best goalkeepers in Manchester United?
Roy: In November 2022, I delivered a discourse at the New Mills F.C., a football club in Greater Manchester. A gentleman in the audience prompted a query, expressing curiosity about the prospect of my future writings encompassing Manchester United’s most exceptional players. Coincidentally, at the commencement of 2023, I received a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a form of cancer necessitating prolonged periods of isolation at home due to chemotherapy, steroid treatments, and the like.
Subsequently, I created a new book titled ‘An Impossible Question to Answer’ to engage my mind during this challenging period. This literary endeavour proved to be a gratifying venture as I delved and explored the historical roots of Manchester United from 1878 to 2013. Structured in five sections, the book meticulously examines 120 football figures, culminating in selecting the best eleven players for each period. Selecting eleven remarkable football players spanning 146 years and organizing them into a 4-2-4 formation was a formidable challenge. To elucidate the inherent complexity of this endeavour, I meticulously examined the footballing acumen of two colossal figures hailing from disparate eras—Billy Meredith and George Best. The delicate task of harmonizing the legacies of these two exceptional players, distinguished by historical contexts and disparate parameters of recognition, highlights the nuances within the chapters of my book. My quintessential choices for the top five Manchester United goalkeepers are Harry Moger, Harry Gregg, Alex Stepney, Peter Schmeichel, and Edwin Van der Sar.
Ravi: Your work in the construction industry has earned you an MBE. Could you share your experiences and discuss the apprenticeship schemes you’ve championed for young people?
Roy: Throughout my 55-year career at Seddon, a construction company, I held various roles, including managing 900 cash-paid employees in the wages department and later becoming the department head. After presenting a persuasive case showcasing my experience interacting with prominent figures, I was offered the opportunity to lead the labour department. Initially hesitant due to my lack of experience in bricklaying and technical tasks and my aversion to the smell of paint and wood splinters, I eventually accepted the role. It proved to be a wise decision that significantly impacted my professional path. As the Chair of the C&BE Education 14-19 group, I proposed intertwining recruitment and training responsibilities to shift decision-making outside the organization. My policies were implemented at a national level, emphasizing the importance of apprenticeships in the industry and the critical role of internal training initiatives for sustainability. My contributions to the industry were recognized with the MBE.
Ravi: Do you have a favourite among your 30 books? What messages do you hope readers take away from your works, especially those about Manchester United’s history?
Photo courtesy X
Roy: I’ve written 38 books, ranging from bestsellers to smaller volumes. My works explore the rich history of Manchester United, including collective narratives and individual player profiles. Even my smaller volumes hold a place of pride in my oeuvre, but I aspire to write more extensive treatments in certain instances. I enjoy football and cricket and often love exploring Lancashire County Club’s history and players. It’s always a challenge to pick a favourite article, but I particularly enjoyed crafting on the topic of ‘Do You Remember When Kick Off was 3 pm on a Saturday?’ This was inspired by Manchester United’s painful and unforgettable ‘Aguero’ moment that left fans reeling. Instead of emotionally investing in Manchester United, it was wise to take a break and enjoy football differently. By attending matches for non-league and lower division sides, reading the program, watching the game, and providing a detailed match report, I broadened my horizons and explored a new perspective on football. Additionally, I also reviewed top-tier football developments every week. This diversion was enjoyable and concluded with a return to my United-centric focus via televised engagements.
Ravi: How has football fan culture and critique evolved from the 1950s to the present day without the impact of social media?
Roy: Social Media has transformed the way football news is disseminated.People relied heavily on traditional print media in the past, but now, sports commentary is abundant on various platforms. This has led to the emergence of real-time bait, with people often buying into speculative claims. Mobile devices now take precedence over televised broadcasts, highlighting the significant impact of Social Media on the football world.
The perfect world, Ravi, would be more than the 1950s but less today!
Ravi: Looking back on your extensive career, what impact do you hope to make through your career in writing and construction, and how do you wish to be remembered?
Roy: I have consistently exerted my utmost effort to benefit those under my professional purview. It’s rewarding to see a person I interviewed at 15 advance through the ranks and become a leader in their organization; This gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. A cardinal principle I have consistently sought to instill in the younger demographic revolves around the concept of the four A’s—not limited to academic achievements but intended as enduring life principles – Attendance, Attitude, Ability, and Ambition. Notably, these four A’s are delineated in a sequential hierarchy, with the priority of Attendance underscoring its foundational importance—substantiating the contention that, in specific scenarios, excellence may be eclipsed by the mere act of showing up.
