Recommend me a good Footy Biography!

[withdeanwombat]

Has Mr.McGhee finished his book yet?

 

[Happy Seagull]

Barca - A people's passion by Jimmy Burns

 

[Hannibal smith]

My bestest football book is 'Dynamo' about the persecution of the Dynamo Kiev players [and the rest of the Ukrainian population] by the Nazis.

Those fellas had balls of steel, and took on the Germans in a couple of matches that made the big match at teh end of Escape to Victory look like a Sunday morning friendly.

Its an amazing book, that will inspire you, and possibly upset you quite a bit. Anyone who wants to borrow it is more than welcome, but they'll have to get it off Hiney first!

Sounds like my kind of book and you've reminded me of one which sounds like you would like. Its called Baghdad FC. It charts sporting life, mainly football under Sadaams regime. Uday Hussein is the president of the sporting association and is to put it mildly 'nuts'. Mr El abd should take note of these motivational techniques after a bad performance.

1. Having someone use a whip on your back for 20 minutes. Then force you to jump into sewage to make sure the wound is infected. And repeat.

2. Rape your wife in front of you, force you to admit to a Politcal crime you didn't do and then shoot you.

All for having a bad game.

 

[wolfie]

Try Stanley Matthews - "The way it was". Another world from today and a good piece of social history too.

 

[magoo]

Sounds like my kind of book and you've reminded me of one which sounds like you would like. Its called Baghdad FC. It charts sporting life, mainly football under Sadaams regime. Uday Hussein is the president of the sporting association and is to put it mildly 'nuts'. Mr El abd should take note of these motivational techniques after a bad performance.

1. Having someone use a whip on your back for 20 minutes. Then force you to jump into sewage to make sure the wound is infected. And repeat.

2. Rape your wife in front of you, force you to admit to a Politcal crime you didn't do and then shoot you.

All for having a bad game.

err yea think i'll stick to Mullery and Gazza thanks...

 

[Yorkie]

Mullers' was pretty good, I liked Robbie Fowlers too.

The same. Both good reading.

 

[Pigsy]

Garrincha's. As much for it's accounts of his drinking, womanising and goat molesting as for the football bits.

 

[bobbyzam]

Stan Collymore's is well worth a read

 

[fatboy]

Jake Robinson's could be good.

 

[Questions]

Tony Cascarino - how to manage to combine playing for Monaco, conduct an extra-marital affair, and the problems of room-sharing with Niall Quinn [not all at the same time]

Steve Claridge - you do not realise quite what a pikey muppet he is until you read his book!

A crap book. Tony Casacrino is a twat. He has on many an occasion slated ghost writers for their part in authorised biographies and live on radio 5 dared to criticise Oliver Holt on his part in the Stan Collymore story. Holt quickly put him to the sword when he said live that he was particularly friendly with the man who wrote his ( Cascarino`s ) book. He also told listeners how Cascarino`s column in the Times is written for him.

The worst biography I have ever read by one of the so called smart ex pro`s. (or his ghost writer of course )

Now Gary Nelsons books are quite splendid and he actually wrote them.

 

[Questions]

Mark McGhee - My part in his downfall.


by Ernest ....................... is a good read.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Also on even more of a tangent Playing the Moldovans at tennis is very good indeed (as are all of Tony Hawk's books)

I agree, that was a very good read, although I thought Going Round Ireland With a Fridge was ok but I lost interest after half way.....

If you only look to read one book about sport, can I recommend this one:

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/whs/go.asp?isbn=0719563453&DB=220&Menu=Books

Penguins Stopped Play - is one of the funniest yet poingnant books I have ever read.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Not a biography, but 'The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro' is an essential read for all football fans.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Again not a biography but Pete Davies' "All Played Out, " about England's 1990 World Cup campaign, is absolutely brilliant. A must for any football fan.

 

[Lankyseagull]

Cloughie - Walking on Water.

 

[Hiney]

Again not a biography but Pete Davies' "All Played Out, " about England's 1990 World Cup campaign, is absolutely brilliant. A must for any football fan.

Yes - brilliant, as is Hunter Davies' book 'The Glory Game' about Tottenham in 1971/72

He was given unbelievable access to the club including to the dressing room and training sessions throughout the season.

If you've read Mullers' book, this one gives an interesting take on the problems between him and Bill Nicholson.

Superb.

 

[Spunk Bubble]

Jimmy Greaves. That fella liked a pint

 

[Storer68]

Leon Knight - The Greatest

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

A crap book. Tony Casacrino is a twat.

The worst biography I have ever read by one of the so called smart ex pro`s. (or his ghost writer of course )

I enjoyed it. It was on the surface - an honest account of marital difficulties, financial dealings, and life off and on the pitch. He did come unstuck in that radio interview - but most people knew those columns were not written by the ex-pro's. Apart from Lineker, Alan Smith and a few others.

I would add to the list "Only a Game" by Eammon Dunphy - the first honest account I read of a jobbing footballers life - including thoughts of being sub.

 

[SussexSpur]

Yes - brilliant, as is Hunter Davies' book 'The Glory Game' about Tottenham in 1971/72

He was given unbelievable access to the club including to the dressing room and training sessions throughout the season.

If you've read Mullers' book, this one gives an interesting take on the problems between him and Bill Nicholson.

Superb.

What Hiney said. Not really a great fan of Hunter Davies - he buys season tickets for both Spurs and the Scum, ferfucksakes, what kind of WEIRDNESS is that?, plus his Beatles biography is a bit limited - but with that kind of access, you just can't go wrong.

Love the players' questionnaires at the back. He asks them all about their careers, social lives, political views - and almost all the players come across as cynical and jaded, except the young Perryman, who insists: "Labour. Aren't all the players Labour", and expounds his passionately-felt views - "Tax - it HAS to be paid..." Lovely stuff.