Football autobiographies...

[Rich]

Syd, can we expect reviews afterwards?

[MrsB]

Not a biography, but very entertaining: A Season with Verona.

[johnp]

That sounds good actually. I like stuff written by fan about their experiences following football, and with it being based on the 2002 world cup, it certainly passes the 'not too old' test. I'll look into that.

I'm also going to buy "Here we go gathering cups in May" because i've heard lots of good things about it.

I read that one. Tis a very good read
I didn't like one of the authors (coz I didn't get a lot of the "local" references), but still worth reading.

[Matt]

Paul McGraths is a good read, whether it'd interest you or not is a different story.

The only autobiography that I've read where most of it is written by other people 'cos McGrath was always too pissed to remember what was going on.

Maybe try this one? Saw it in HMV for a fiver, didnt get one but I was tempted:

[PTP]

- it's brilliant - he has a great sense of humour and build up the hope of him succeeding to the point were you are convinced he will make it but it wasn't to be. He was mates and played with some of the all time greats as schoolboy but despite never making it he continued playing, even playing for New Brighton(my grandad played for them) in the conference who don't even exist any more. He has a great sense of humour and really takes the piss out of himself well. Although it may be "older" than what you want, it's about real football and the passion for the sport,trying to succeed and make it as pro and as such it's great for anyone who dreamed of making it but never did as we all can relate to it. Not like this multi millionaire cunts who release books five years into their careers!

[johnp]

Oh, I read the Maradona one (think it's called El Diego). Don't bother. The guy was a phenomenal footballer, but doesn't half love himself.

[PTP]

The only autobiography that I've read where most of it is written by other people 'cos McGrath was always too pissed to remember what was going on.

Maybe try this one? Saw it in HMV for a fiver, didnt get one but I was tempted:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...2L._SS500_.jpg

i read that - it was ok, not great - i will prob get slaughtered for this but there is a tranmere one called away days i think which was a much better/funnier book

[johnp]

The only autobiography that I've read where most of it is written by other people 'cos McGrath was always too pissed to remember what was going on.

Maybe try this one? Saw it in HMV for a fiver, didnt get one but I was tempted:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...2L._SS500_.jpg

Nicholas Allt. That's the guy from "Here we go gathering cup" that I didn't like

[PTP]

i read that - it was ok, not great - i will prob get slaughtered for this but there is a tranmere one called away days i think which was a much better/funnier book

Apparently this is being made into a film just found this

A CULT novel about Merseyside football hooligans is being turned into a film.

Cameras have already started rolling on the set of Away Days, written by Wirral author Kevin Sampson.

David Hughes, the former keyboardist with Mersey group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, has bought the rights to adapt the book and shooting began in the former Cammel Laird’s shipyard yesterday.

Gangs of New York and Snatch star Stephen Graham is one of a few well-known actors who will be in the film.

Set in the late 70s, Away Days is about a 19-year-old called Paul Carty who is torn between the Pack – a group of Tranmere Rovers hooligans – and his family and potential future.

The novel is also about Thatcherism, music, youth unemployment and heroin addiction.

Mr Hughes, who met Kevin Sampson as Wirral teenagers at Eric’s club on Mathew Street, said: “The ethos is, right across the board, to try and promote new talent and launch a new Brit Pack of actors from this film.

“We want to try and add to the existing and ever-growing pool of film-making talent in the city.

“We’re using great Merseyside locations like the shipyards, the Heebie Jeebies bar on Seel Street and great moody panoramas of the Mersey estuary and docklands.

“But we’re also shooting all over Wirral from Egremont and Eastham to Ellesmere Port. Some of the action takes place on trains and we managed to find somewhere in Bury that has a train track with vintage 70s trains.”

Mr Hughes has previously won success providing the scores for major films like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels with John Murphy and US hit The Batchelor, starring Renee Zellweger.

He formed production company Red Union which is behind the Away Days film with Kevin, who also managed Liverpool band The Farm.

Kevin wrote Away Days in 1998 and has written for magazines including NME and The Face.

[Matt]

i read that - it was ok, not great - i will prob get slaughtered for this but there is a tranmere one called away days i think which was a much better/funnier book

Fairy muff, probably won't buy it then

[Matt]

I wouldnt describe Heebie Jeebies as a "great location". ****ing hate that place

[PTP]

Fairy muff, probably won't buy it then

it's ok - i read it on holiday, some funny bits in it but i will be nothing you've havent' heard or seen before

"we started the football terrace culture and everyone knew it"

"we had the biggest crew and everyone new it"

"we wore the best clobber and everyone knew it"

[Matt]

All true. You Tranny Rovers boys are obviously a bit jealous.

[Craig_H]

Syd, can we expect reviews afterwards?

You've got more chance of marky pulling a bird.

[PTP]

I wouldnt describe Heebie Jeebies as a "great location". ****ing hate that place

haha i didn't read the full report - **** that, I liked heebie jeebies when i was a part time raver on gary's la!