Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Peter Crouch - not the standard fodder; revealing and seems a genuine bloke.

One from the dark ages - Cascarino's was entertaining.

Ray Parlour's was ok.

The Secret Footballer - really good about the madness of it all.

Apart from the above, although they all need an "angle" - I have read some pretty standard ones.

Paul Merson’s book was a decent read.

Brian Cloughs is good as is Roy Keanes.

Plus Sir Alex's as well, theres a lot about winning and mentality and such like which can be transferred across to your own environment.

Anything written by David Peace is excellent.

My father and other working class football heroes by Gary Imlach is very good.

Jimmy Greaves’ last autobiography or it could have been biography, which must have been 15+ years ago, was excellent

Stuart Pearce's one was a cut above the usual rubbish.

I liked Derek Dougan's stuff he even wrote a footballing novel.

Garry Nelson's Left Foot Forward and Left Foot In The Grave were very good.

Been a long time since I read a footballers book.
As mentioned Cascarino's was the best i've read.
Mick Quinns was good

On a football rather than footballer theme A Season with Verona and The Miracle Of Castel Di Sangro were superb

Peter Kitchen's 'Goal Gourmet' is a great read.

Paul McGrath - "Back from the brink", was very good.

Matt le Tissier’s ‘Taking the Tiss’ is okay.

Max B Gold wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 6:15 pm My father and other working class football heroes by Gary Imlach is very good.

Yes, this was memorable. I had never heard of Lossiemouth before. I would be interested in your view of the abolition of the maximum wage.

At a slight tangent, if you get the chance to watch "Marvellous" the biopic about Neil Baldwin at Stoke City then you'll be in for a treat. It's on Amazon Prime at the moment I think. Truly funny and uplifting.

StockholmO wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2019 1:14 am Peter Kitchen's 'Goal Gourmet' is a great read.

Has to be the worst book i have ever read.

Whoever the ghost writer was needs shooting.

Ooh Aah Stantona by ex O bogey man Phil Stant was OK.
Eamon Dunphy Only a Game

Where’s your Caravan by Chris Hargreaves. Not bad.

George Best - Blessed

Give it to Jabo wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2019 11:30 am

Max B Gold wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 6:15 pm My father and other working class football heroes by Gary Imlach is very good.

Yes, this was memorable. I had never heard of Lossiemouth before. I would be interested in your view of the abolition of the maximum wage.

In the context of when Imlach played it was right to abolish it. It was used by greedy owners to appropriate the surplus value created by the workers. Comrade Jimmy Hill was one of the militants of the players union who led him to victory.

Years later the Scotch fans shamefully taunted him as a horses hoof at Englandsville v Scotchlandshire games

As I recall from the book the players wages were reduced during the close season and they had to revert to their trades to make up the difference.

Many also lived in company housing. Probably had to buy all their sporting attire from the company shop too I shouldn't wonder.

The Ghost Of '66. A great autobiography, read it years ago.

Agree re Tony Cascarino's book.A really honest piece.
My personal best read, though not an auto biog,is Ruy Costa's story of Garrincha.
And slightly deviating,as it's not a about or by a particular player,my personal favourite football related book has to be The Miracle of Castel di Sangro by Joe McGinnis.
If anyone finds that in their stocking tomorrow you can be sure somebody really cares....
HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyone...Here's to 3 points on Boxing Day.

A few recommend cascarionos book. Does he mention when he kicked off at his kids school, private I might add and both he and his wife embarrassed themselves and had to be asked to leave?

GoodFella, Craig Bellamy Autobiography
Bobby Moore The Man in Full, Matt Dickinson
Duncan Edwards The Greatest, James Leighton
all excellent reads, in my opinion