Forgotten Stories of Football

Luton Towns Manager Idol

How Primetime TV inspired one of the most shambolic managerial appointments in football history.

Written by John Ashdown. Forgotten Stories of Football

From The Guardian

Before X Factor strictly and Britain's Got Talent

dominated the Saturday evening TV schedules

There was pop idol

The Simon Cowell-backed Singathon on which Plucky

crooners belted their hearts out for the chance to win a recording contract, while the public

called in, in their droves, to vote for their favourites. On the 9th of February 2002,

more than 13 million people tuned in to see Will Young take on Gareth Gates in the final of the first series.

Nearly 9 million votes were cast.

It was huge ratings and financial success.

Even before the number one singles and multi-platnum albums,

the series made £2.5 million from the public's newfound desire to have its say on premium rate phone lines.

The program would prove the inspiration for one of the most shambolic, with the emphasis on sham,

managerial appointments in football history.

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