Danny Bergara (A Footballing Journey)

The Man From Uruguay

by Phil Brennan

About The Book

Danny Bergara was the first ever 'foreigner' to manage an English Football club in a Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, when he led his Stockport County side out in the Autoglass Final against Stoke City on May 16th 1992.

During his time at Edgeley Park Bergara led the Hatters to three further 'finals' at the National Stadium, unfortunately all of which ended in defeat, nevertheless the little Uruguayan had put himself and Stockport County firmly on the football map.

Bergara's footballing journey began in his home country when, as a 14 year old, he signed for Racing Club Montevideo. He made his first team debut for Racing at the age of 15 and also represented Uruguay at under 17 level.

Aged 20 he moved to Europe to sign for Real Mallorca. He later signed for Seville for a record fee before ending his playing career at Tenerife.

During his ten years in Spain he won the Division 2 title twice and finished top scorer five times.

In 1973 Bergara and his English wife Jan, moved to England to start their new life. They planned to start their own travel business, but due to an unusual set of circumstances he began coaching at nearby Luton Town.

For the next 25 years Bergara coached at every level, including a 2 year spell with the English National Youth team and a year as National Manager of Brunei.

He coached/managed at Sheffield United (twice), Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Darlington, Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers but it was at Edgeley Park that he became renowned throughout football as he put serial underachievers Stockport County on the map.

Bergara spent his last few years as a 'scout', working for Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Wolves before passing away in 2007.

The Man from Uruguay (A footballing journey) tells his remarkable story in full.

PhilB1883

I’m a journalist, author, and editor with a passion for football, storytelling, and creative writing. From working with clubs like Stockport County and Oldham Athletic to writing and editing books on football and beyond, I’ve spent over a decade immersed in media, sport, and the written word. Whether it's matchday reporting, children’s books, or spoken word poetry, my work is all about capturing the stories that connect us.

I’m a journalist, author, editor, and lifelong football enthusiast with a career rooted in storytelling and media. My journey began with roles at the heart of the game, as Press Officer and Media Manager at Stockport County Football Club, and later as Contributing Editor at TheNonLeague Magazine. Initially a regional publication for non-league supporters in the North West, TheNonLeague Magazine expanded into a national platform under my editorial leadership. I played a key role in its growth by securing advertising and sponsorship deals with major companies, helping to bring grassroots football coverage to a wider audience. In 2013, I published my first book, The Man from Uruguay, the biography of Danny Bergara. Its success allowed me to transition into full-time freelance journalism. Since then, I’ve contributed weekly football content, primarily non-league coverage, for newspapers, websites, and magazines across the UK. I’ve also worked directly with clubs, including a spell at Oldham Athletic FC, where I helped rebuild their social media and website presence during a period of internal restructuring. Alongside journalism, I’ve authored a range of children’s books in collaboration with illustrators Rob Purdon, Ric Pennington, and James Richardson. These titles include The Scarf, Football Alphabet, Cricket Alphabet, Football Football Football, Stay at Gnome – A Lockdown Tale, Tangerine Dream, and Granny’s Galactic Garden. As an editor, I’ve worked on several notable football titles, including the Non-League Groundhopper Diaries series and LOST – Football in the 1980s. My writing also extends into poetry, a creative outlet since my schooldays. I’ve written personal poems for family milestones and, more recently, have embraced performing my work at spoken word events, sharing pieces from my collections The Transient Curmudgeon and The Transient Mancunian. Whether through sport, storytelling, or verse, my work continues to explore the spaces where community, culture, and creativity intersect.

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