Paul McGrath is Ireland's best loved sportsman and also its least understood. An iconic football presence during a professional career stretching over 14 years, he played for his country in the European Championship finals of 1988 and the World Cup finals of 1990 and 1994. But, behind the implied glamour of life in the employ of great English clubs like Manchester United and Aston Villa, McGrath wrestled with a range of destructive emotions that made his success in the game little short of miraculous. That story has until now never been told. It is a story that runs from a hard, hidden childhood spent in Dublin's orphanages all the way to the pain of two marriage break-ups and the struggle to cope with life after football. Quite apart from his all too public struggle with alcoholism, the story runs through the surreal highs and calamitous lows of a life lived habitually on the edge of chaos. It is not just a football story. It is an extraordinary human story that is certain to surprise with its candour. Here, for the first time, read about the father he never met; the mother whose love never died; the routine loneliness and ritual bullying endured by a black kid growing up behind closed doors in 1960s Dublin; the emotional breakdown suffered on leaving that institution; the recovery that - remarkably - brought him all the way to Old Trafford; the rollercoaster ride that followed. Here, the guilt, fear, self-loathing are all laid bare in a story fired with hope and determination for the future. It may well be the most candid sports book ever written.
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"As survivor's tales go, this is brutalist epic...McGrath's narrative has a stark honesty." (Sean O'Hagan The Observer Sport Monthly 20061001)
"Continuing the trend of brutal honesty which was popularised by Paul Gascoigne's autobiography, McGrath's book is difficult to read for anyone with an ounce of human kindness, especially those who marvelled at his ability from the Old Trafford terraces... Beautifully written." (Manchester Evening News )
"Laceratingly honest...remarkably unflinching" (Mail on Sunday )
"A startling, harrowing read... far removed from the churn-em-out footballing autobiographies...This is an uncompromising tale, wonderfully told, about one of our most talented and disturbed sporting heroes." (Hugh Farrelly Irish Independent )
"Heartbreaking...poingnant" (Robert Philip Daily Telegraph 20061020) --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
"Continuing the trend of brutal honesty which was popularised by Paul Gascoigne's autobiography, McGrath's book is difficult to read for anyone with an ounce of human kindness, especially those who marvelled at his ability from the Old Trafford terraces... Beautifully written." (Manchester Evening News )
"Laceratingly honest...remarkably unflinching" (Mail on Sunday )
"A startling, harrowing read... far removed from the churn-em-out footballing autobiographies...This is an uncompromising tale, wonderfully told, about one of our most talented and disturbed sporting heroes." (Hugh Farrelly Irish Independent )
"Heartbreaking...poingnant" (Robert Philip Daily Telegraph 20061020) --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
Book Description
The autobiography of the greatest defender of the 1980s and 90s
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Oooh Aaah Paul McGrath went the chants around Landsdowne Road, Old Trafford and Villa Park in the late '80s and early '90s when one of Ireland's truely outstanding sports personalities was at the peak of his career.
And what a brilliant career it was. Paul McGrath was a rock at the heart of United and Villa's defences and a collosus for Eire particularly in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. And the amazing thing is that McGrath achieved all this whilst battling alcoholism and inner demons that would undoubtedly have destroyed a lesser man.
The book is a very candid account of McGrath's life, from his tough childhood in Dublin where he suffered because of his skin colour, to his rise to the summit of professional football where he often played whilst under the influence. The book gives an indication of what McGrath's mindset and mental state was like during these halcyon years, and includes some really interesting stories and insights into the some of the top personalities in English and Irish football at the time.
Legend is a word that is certainly used too lightly, but this is not the case with McGrath. He is a true legend and what's more he comes across as a very honest and likeable character. A great read.
Declan Mullan.
And what a brilliant career it was. Paul McGrath was a rock at the heart of United and Villa's defences and a collosus for Eire particularly in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. And the amazing thing is that McGrath achieved all this whilst battling alcoholism and inner demons that would undoubtedly have destroyed a lesser man.
The book is a very candid account of McGrath's life, from his tough childhood in Dublin where he suffered because of his skin colour, to his rise to the summit of professional football where he often played whilst under the influence. The book gives an indication of what McGrath's mindset and mental state was like during these halcyon years, and includes some really interesting stories and insights into the some of the top personalities in English and Irish football at the time.
Legend is a word that is certainly used too lightly, but this is not the case with McGrath. He is a true legend and what's more he comes across as a very honest and likeable character. A great read.
Declan Mullan.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Dk Roche
Format:Hardcover
Writen in the same vain as Tony Adams book.
How on earth he was able to stand up let alone play is utterly amazing. Then to win PFA player awards and represent your country defies all logic and reason.
This is not just a football book, but a journey through his life and his constant struggle with the demon drink and drugs.
Great great book.
How on earth he was able to stand up let alone play is utterly amazing. Then to win PFA player awards and represent your country defies all logic and reason.
This is not just a football book, but a journey through his life and his constant struggle with the demon drink and drugs.
Great great book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Moz
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a story about a man wrestling with addiction while being blessed with great athleticism. Being autobiographical, Paul is more scathing about his lapses than a biographer would be, while underplaying his iconic football image. At times it's gut-wrenchingly honest as his constant submissions to the booze prevent him fully realising his athletic potential. You don't have to be a Man U fan, Villan or Republic of Ireland fan to read this. Paul's roots and upbringing alone are rivetting and scary.
Me, I'm a music fan really, and this life has parralels with Phil Lynott's tragic rise to fame and seduction by drugs. I just hope it doesn't end prematurely in the way Phil's did. A mixed race Irish man growing up in Dublin with no knowledge of his father but driven by a calling to excel. The troubled romances and the shadow of oblivion cast over even the most triumphal moments.
Paul's football carreer was dogged by dodgy knees, alcoholism and an amazing lack of self belief or confidence. A genius awarded countless accolades and many caps who feels unworthy of sharing the stage with his contemporaries. I was shocked by the extent of his problems and the lengths his friends had successfully gone to to prevent the truth being more widely publicised. I look forward to someone making this into a film.
Me, I'm a music fan really, and this life has parralels with Phil Lynott's tragic rise to fame and seduction by drugs. I just hope it doesn't end prematurely in the way Phil's did. A mixed race Irish man growing up in Dublin with no knowledge of his father but driven by a calling to excel. The troubled romances and the shadow of oblivion cast over even the most triumphal moments.
Paul's football carreer was dogged by dodgy knees, alcoholism and an amazing lack of self belief or confidence. A genius awarded countless accolades and many caps who feels unworthy of sharing the stage with his contemporaries. I was shocked by the extent of his problems and the lengths his friends had successfully gone to to prevent the truth being more widely publicised. I look forward to someone making this into a film.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By E. Grant
Format:Hardcover
I was only a wee nipper in the time leading upto Italia '90, when Paul McGrath was in his heyday, but of the few footballing memories I have of that age, watching the TV and hearing 'Ohh Ahh Paul McGrath, I say Ooh Aah Paul McGrath' billowing round Landsdowne is one. No one chooses to become an alcoholic or a depressant, its something which overcomes you. Despite these huge weights on him, the man fought on to become one of the finest footballers of his generation. The book is a candid look at the life behind the face, and would move even the most stone hearted of people. The man has sat down and told his story the way he wants it told, not by some third party wanting to put a good spin on it. The man never wants pity for his actions, just a fair hearing. Its a compelling read, worth every penny.
He always has been, and always will be, a legend in my eyes.
He always has been, and always will be, a legend in my eyes.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Paul McGrath tells a searingly honest story, although as you read your way through you realise McGrath himself couldn't possibly have written this alone, without a massive amount of help from his ghostwriter/co-author Vincent Horgan. McGrath describes his corrosive lack of confidence that is still in the process of destroying his life ("Back from the Brink"? Shouldn't the title be "Still on the Brink"? McGrath makes clear in the final chapter he is only beginning to acknowledge his problems, let alone address them.)
It's an interesting story of a flawed man who led a double life, thrilling millions with his football, while hurting many round about him. It's also a story of British society (and the football industry in particular) and its inability to cope with mental illness in general and especially addictive behaviour. The answer is always to cover up for McGrath, dry him out, get him fit enough to play; then dump him out of the game at 38, stuffed knees, screwed up head, and none of the skills to cope.
Having said this, the book is WAY too long at just over 400 pages. McGrath has very little to say in any detail about what went on when he was playing although more about his relationship with different managers and physios. That leaves a lot of time to talk his inner demons, drink, finding drink, evading friends guarding him, and what he did when he was drunk. Even with the best will in the world, when you are reading about him disappearing for the tenth time it is starting to get a bit dull.
He has interesting things to say about the managers but is so absorbed by drinking that he has very little to say about the game.... Read more ›
It's an interesting story of a flawed man who led a double life, thrilling millions with his football, while hurting many round about him. It's also a story of British society (and the football industry in particular) and its inability to cope with mental illness in general and especially addictive behaviour. The answer is always to cover up for McGrath, dry him out, get him fit enough to play; then dump him out of the game at 38, stuffed knees, screwed up head, and none of the skills to cope.
Having said this, the book is WAY too long at just over 400 pages. McGrath has very little to say in any detail about what went on when he was playing although more about his relationship with different managers and physios. That leaves a lot of time to talk his inner demons, drink, finding drink, evading friends guarding him, and what he did when he was drunk. Even with the best will in the world, when you are reading about him disappearing for the tenth time it is starting to get a bit dull.
He has interesting things to say about the managers but is so absorbed by drinking that he has very little to say about the game.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
How did he do it???
Considering his life style and the amount of drink he consumed, how did he perform to such a fantastic level? Read more
Published 8 days ago by john kilburn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read for Villa fans.
Arrived on time, book was a bit tatty but was a good read about the life and times of a true Villa legend.
Published 1 month ago by katy
4.0 out of 5 stars
as raw as it gets
No punches pulled here and very much to the point. Complete transparency from Paul gives the autobiography a very special reading experience.
Published 1 month ago by PETER R
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greatest footballer to have ever lived!
As a Villa fan of 46 years, I have seen countless Villa games since i first attended Villa Park in 1972 at the age of 6. Read more
Published 9 months ago by G. S. Pritchett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
True, honest and what we all suspected but never truly knew or understood. Once started I could not put it down. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Len
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back from the Brink
this is without doubt the best and most honest autobiography I have ever read.
Paul really searches his soul and says it as it is. Read more
Paul really searches his soul and says it as it is. Read more
Published 21 months ago by tricky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best...
Having watched Paul McGrath towards the end of his career at Derby County, I was intrigued to discover more about a footballer who apparently couldn't train during the week but... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2011 by Marnie Crowder
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
I'm not particularly interested in football but I loved this book. It the story of someone who tries to overcome his demons.
Published on 24 Oct 2010 by anna
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Greatest Defender In The World
An Irish legend, an Aston Villa legend. This book offers a fascinating insight into the workings of a genius.
Published on 11 Oct 2010 by Donegal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Doing God's work
Many books carry the promise of being 'warts-and-all' and then fail to deliver. Paul McGrath's autobiography is a breed apart. Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2010 by John Moseley
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