Until 2009, James J Anderson was a name barely unrecognisable in the world of football. Some fans in the east of England may have remembered him from a short spell at Norwich City, where he failed to even break into the first team squad, but the Norfolk born footballer would not give up his passion even after his playing contract was terminated. Unfortunately for Anderson, he had to hang up his boots just a year prior, as a freak leg break in 2008 saw his playing career abruptly end.
With his playing days over, JJ switched to a coaching role. It wasn’t long before he was able to apply his trade to an English Club – Bristol Rovers. In October of 2009, Anderson took over from a sacked Paul Trollope following just 11 points from 13 games. Having previously only winning 3 games, Anderson helped to reshape the team into a side that soon clambered up the table. 15 wins, 8 draws and only 2 loses later and the Gas were looking worthy of a Play-Off place – in fact, it was looking a certainty until a particular club started to sniff around for their former player, this time wanting him as a manager as opposed to a player.
Norwich City, bearing a similar position in League One following their relegation, not longer deemed manager Paul Lambert as the man to “save” the club. Having seen Anderson’s skill as the head coach for a fellow division side, the Canaries lured back their former player in order to guide them back into the Championship. It proved a tougher challenge, going all the way down to the last day of the season where Norwich secured a 3-0 victory over Carlisle to take up the final Play-off place – beating former club Bristol Rovers in the process. Other League One favourites for the season, Southampton, fell to Norwich in the Semi-Final Play-Offs, and it was ultimately an own goal from Huddersfield that helped Norwich secure promotion back to the Championship with a 3-2 victory.
Anderson continued to rebuild the Norwich side into a team that could hopefully storm up the Championship table - but behind the scenes, changes were afoot. Rumours of a takeover were running wild, including new investment for Anderson to help build an even stronger side – but with this news later came the ideas of new chairman Darren Smith, who wanted to bring in his own manager. Rather surprisingly, Anderson resigned just 8 games into the season, with the speculation having added uneasiness to his squad – only 4 points from a possible 24 gave further reason, despite just over a month in charge at Championship level.
Having had a taste of what the Championship had to offer, Anderson sought after a club that would back him all the way. In October, almost exactly a year after taking charge of Bristol Rovers, struggling Coventry sacked Chris Coleman after just 3 wins thus far in the season. A day later, JJ Anderson was appointed the new manager of the Sky Blues. In his press conference, Anderson states that he believed he would be able to reignite the fire of old within Coventry and push towards higher and greater things – and he managed that in rather spectacular style. From near the bottom of the table, JJ brought out the best of his side and propelled all the way to the top, unfortunately finishing the season in 2nd place but still promoting Coventry back to the Premier League after less than a full season in charge.
Anderson made use of the bigger transfer budget to splash some cash on a handful of players – he boosted his defence with £17.5m spent on just two defenders, David Wheater and Michael Lumb. But like most newly promoted clubs in the Premier League, adjusting was hard to do. Coventry picked up a handful of wins in the first few months, but breaking deadlocks and score draws was always a problem. A memorable cup-run was the best part of Anderson’s time in charge at Coventry as the Sky Blue made it all the way to the Semi Finals of the League Cup, but JJ Anderson cut his time at the Ricoh Arena short. Feeling he had done all he could for the team, he stepped down as boss in December of 2011, allowing for another manager to take them a further step forward (Lee Clark failed as Coventry were later relegated, but he did get them promoted back again the following year).
A month later and another struggling Premiership team parted ways with their manager – Burnley. Having sacked Owen Coyle, the team dicing with the drop revealed JJ Anderson as their new manager in January of 2012. Just 3 weeks in charge and Anderson brought in a handful of players that he believed would not only save them from the drop, but would also go to further Burnley in the years to come – approximately £13M went on 4 players, Ipswich defender Tommy Smith, Atlético Paranaense attacking midfielder Julio Dos Santos, Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe and Sunderland’s attacking mid Steed Malbranque. Burnley’s shaky form began to write itself, but the nervous season ended in similar style as the club lost its last 4 games as they hovered above the relegation zone. Thankfully, the teams around them also crumbled, as Burnley managed to secure their 14th spot.
Despite a less then memorable Premier League campaign, the Clarets were remembered a lot more for their FA Cup campaign. A surprising run saw the side go all the way to the finals, versus Tottenham. Former Spurs striker Jermaine Defoe scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute, securing Burnley with the most surprising FA cup win in many a year - and their 2nd time as winners since the year WWI broke out!
Anderson continued with his “building for both the present and future” route with his signings the next season, as well as the belief of being able to provide a greater threat in the Premier League following their FA Cup victory. Veteran keeper Chris Kirkland joined from Wigan to provide the club with a solid stopper, whilst young left back Tom Hibbert joined from Bristol City following a promising loan the previous season at West Brom. Former Aston Villa up and comer Paul Moore joined on a free, adding a keeper for the future. HSV winger Eljero Elia and Palermo full back Federico Balzaretti signed to make their stakes in the team before the season started. Defensive midfielder Stijn Wuytens and a promising Portuguese attacker named João Paulo joined before the summer transfer window closed.
Burnley and Anderson’s season started off well with the Clarets securing a memorable penalties victory over league favourites Chelsea in the Community Shield. The victory started what would be Burnley’s most memorable season perhaps in their club’s history. Dropping no lower than 12th all season, Burnley’s name was everywhere – they beat the top clubs in the league, they made it all the way to the semi finals of both the FA and League Cup, as well as making a huge impression for their first time in Europe after beating Dinamo Moscow to make the 2nd Knockout Round. However, the feat that stunned all critics was their final position in the Premier League. Scoring 79 goals in 38 games, winning 28 and drawing 6, Burnley finished 12 points clear of 2nd place Manchester City to secure the Premier League title for the first time since 1960. Man City may have broke the mould seasons prior by beating the “Top 4” to the title – but have Burnley now established themselves within a “Top 6”?
