For those on here that can read I read Matt's auto biography in one night when I got that, bit that was because who it was rather than the book, good though it was. The best for me by far was "miracle of castel di sangro". This is an incredible account of one season with an Italian village team that get all the way up to Serie B after 5 promotions on about 6 years. It is written by an American soccer journalist and takes a couple of chapters to ignore the americanisms, but once over that it is a brilliant read. It is a factual account of a season with so many fantasy happenings that if it had been a movie, people would have said it was too far fetched. I highly recommend you taking it on your summer holidays to keep you from sweating over transfers and signings. Go on, be brave, pick it up from your library and try it. Anyone else recommend a good read?
Gordon Strachan's biography is pretty good - especially the bit about Saha and Malbranaque....... I also thought that Roy Keane's book was pretty good also.... believe it or not!!
I sort of got fed up with some autobiographies a they all seem of the same vein. Having said that I enjoyed half of Gareth Southgate's. It was written with his best mate Andy Woodman who he was a trainee at Palace And who never made it as a top pro, just skirting in the lower leagues. Each chapter was half on each player's career and where as southgates was typical and predictable, Woody's was far more varied and interesting. They had a player profile inside the back cover for each one and under Best Manager played for, Southgate had Terry Venables England; Woodman had "Jack Pearce, Bognor Regis". Made me laugh.
Finally an intelligent thread. I have to say I really enjoyed Jose Mourinho's first autobiography. It great insight into how he achieved immense success from humble beginnings. I was really dissapointed with Cloughs "old Big ed" possibly because he was not a big head and I was looking for an arrogant man recanting his tales of success in a no nonsense style with some blunt and rude put downs. What I found was a dreary tale of some northerner banging on about how lovely his family was... yawn. But, respect to them both for their achievements. The Jose book was written before he became a prize plumb... power corrupts etc. I will definitely check out "miracle of castel di sangro". I'll have it on the Kindle by tea time.
But surely you enjoyed when he stopped the bus on the M1 on the way to flying to Saudi for a friendly, to throw Gary birtles of the bus for moaning!
Yeah there were funny tales but I just got so bored with him also trying to justify himself as a humble family man. I'd prefer to remember him as in the Damned Utd... even if that was fiction. I must have read it about five years ago.
Sir Bobby Robson's Autobiography is a great read. Also, and you might think me strange for it, but loved Graham Poll's autobiography "Seeing Red" he explains all his errors (including the 3 yellows) and why it happened, including pictures of his ref's book and other things. He recites on the pitch action, off the pitch action, Robbie Savage banter, family life, how he became a referee, and what he is up to now. Very Interesting.
fatletiss- if you're into your italian football, i can recommend 'A Season with Verona' by Tim Parks, where the author travels to every away game with the supporters of said club. Part travel book, it's got some interesting bits about football politics, ultras & hooliganism and follows verona's relegation battle.
Two excellent reads are Leo Mckinstrys biography Sir Alf which takes in some of his period with the Saints and Trautmans Journey From Hitler youth to fa cup legend a biography of epic proportion.Lets be honest who the hell wants to read a biography from one of our modern day players ie went to school learned naf all went to football academy met blonde bird got married in a castle had kids gave them stupid names had an affair developed a gambling habit got job on sky tv most modern day players are pretty dull other than the fact they are able play football.For a good read ithink it best to go back to the seventies and beyond when more charachters and maverics existed in the game.By the way contant paine about one of our own was very good
Diary of a season by Lawrie Mac. The best sports book I've read is "Grovel" a book about the West Indies tour of 1976
I read this about two years back, Lord Duckhunter and although not a politizer prize winning candidate, it wa. Fab read as I could recall the season. It was 78/79 if I remember and the forest league cup final. I was a wee boy but remember as if it was yesterday.
"Fathers, sons and football" by Colin Schindler It charts 3 generations of the Summerbee family, starting with George born in Winchester, Mike, the famous Man City player, and his son Nikky. A great read, and a true record of social history, showing how badly players were treated and paid in the 30's 40's and 50's.
Olddellboy ha reminded me of another classic by Colin Schindler: his autobiography is called "Man United ruined my life" and it is brilliant.... Unless you support manure
