In this compelling and sensationally honest book, Paul Kimmage strips away the public facade of an international football star. Tony Cascarino is a man scarred by childhood, haunted by indiscretion and troubled by a secret from his past. A man struggling to find answers as he speeds towards the most terrifying juncture in sport. The End.
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Amazon Review
Full Time: the Secret Life of Tony Cascarino is the most praised football autobiography in a very long time. Reviewers' jaws dropped at "the searing honesty ... and the breathless style" (The Saturday Times); The Observer Sport Monthly gasped "It's Angela's Ashes with half-time oranges ... a footballer's autobiography like no other. The most astonishing sports book of the year." "Autobiography" of course means ghost-written: though told in the first person it was put together by award-winning Irish journalist Paul Kimmage, whose Rough Ride won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award in 1990. Making the book compulsively readable Kimmage structured it brilliantly, guarding the series of secrets that Cascarino reveals so that the reader is tantalised by cryptic glimpses then made to wait until each revelation in turn is suddenly unveiled. What are these secrets? Suffice to say that some are personal, some professional, some minor and quirky, one major enough to generate heated debate in the press. At times the book reads like the confession of a man who's lived with too much guilt for too long.
Throughout, the book maintains a very high standard. It veers towards the blandness for which footballers' autobiographies are famous only when the author is discussing his friends, to whom he is commendably loyal. As for his managers, there are several memorable portraits. In the case of Jack Charlton it's open hero-worship, even when he felt hard done by. Relations with Glenn Hoddle were a very different story. "He was probably the unfunniest man I have ever known. He was also completely besotted with himself ... When you stepped offside with Glenn, there was nothing to do but accept your fate and hope that you returned in the next life as talented and as perfect as him."
The Guardian said, "Compared with the standard-issue footballer's autobiography, this is Tolstoy." Perhaps not quite, but it's brilliant storytelling, and gives a shockingly honest portrait of one footballer and his world. --David Pickering --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
A sports autobiography like no other - in his bestselling confessional memoir Tony Cascarino speaks frankly about his mental and physical scars from family trauma, sexual indiscretions, crippling losses of confidence and football injuries.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
As an Englishman living in France who has followed Tony Cascarino's career during his time here, even interviewing him once, I know first hand of the esteem the clubs and their supporters hold him in. Even during my short interview with him, his honesty and openess was very apparent, and as such, his book did not come as a surprise to me. What is more surprising is his openess about his 'private' life.
Footballers have previously told the 'truth' behind the glamour (see 'Left foot forward' by Garry Nelson), but this is possibly the first book by a footballer who looks out beyond the game. Football is really secondary in this book, and whole chunks of his career are dismissed in a few sentences. This book really would make a wonderful film.
Good luck Tony in whatever you are doing now, and come back to France soon!
Footballers have previously told the 'truth' behind the glamour (see 'Left foot forward' by Garry Nelson), but this is possibly the first book by a footballer who looks out beyond the game. Football is really secondary in this book, and whole chunks of his career are dismissed in a few sentences. This book really would make a wonderful film.
Good luck Tony in whatever you are doing now, and come back to France soon!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first remember Tony Cascarino as goalscoring hero for surprise package Millwall in the 1988-89 footballing season. Forming a lethal partnership with Teddy Sheringham, myself and other schoolboys could only wonder at the life and times to be had as each saturday these players would get to live out the dream in the footballing arena.
Full time however offers a unique and fascinating insight into the less glamorous flip side to being a professional footballer.
The average run of the mill football book is painted with the usual hyperbole of the love for the game and exileration of pulling on your boots each afternoon.
Cascarino's canvas is more severe. what happens when your body can't take it anymore? what happens when all the abuse, the bad press and the pressure of being a million pound player convinces you you just aren't good enough? what happens when, like anyone else each morning, sometimes you just can't be bothered?
Since the dawn of the million pound footballer, there are many out there who won't remember Tony Cascarino, but it doesn't matter. There is enough here that convinces me this is an essential read for anyone who fears the future.
Full time however offers a unique and fascinating insight into the less glamorous flip side to being a professional footballer.
The average run of the mill football book is painted with the usual hyperbole of the love for the game and exileration of pulling on your boots each afternoon.
Cascarino's canvas is more severe. what happens when your body can't take it anymore? what happens when all the abuse, the bad press and the pressure of being a million pound player convinces you you just aren't good enough? what happens when, like anyone else each morning, sometimes you just can't be bothered?
Since the dawn of the million pound footballer, there are many out there who won't remember Tony Cascarino, but it doesn't matter. There is enough here that convinces me this is an essential read for anyone who fears the future.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I enjoy reading sporting biographies and in a way I regret buying this book. This is because Full Time is simply the best I have ever read and nothing else is likely to come close.
Of course, I don't regret buying this book at all! It fantastic, brilliant, inspired. So different to any sporting bio I've ever read, and I've read quite a few. His relationship with his father explains many things (I know - I had a similar one).
Do yourself a favour, but this book because you will not regret it for one moment. Honest!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Andy Hoare
Format:Paperback
If that's what you want, you know the type where they drone on about how many goals they scored and that then DON'T buy this book. If you want a frightenly honest book, more about a man who is as falliable as you or I, but gets to act it out on a world stage then this is the book for you. I must have about 20-30 sports biographies and autobiographies and this is head and shoulders above the rest. A deeply honest book about a troubled childhood, an amazing footballing career and relationships which would test anyone. It is the sort of book which you cannot put down and will read again and again. I never supported any of the clubs Tony Cascarino played for, but he is someone I now deeply respect and would love to meet.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Dec
Format:Paperback
This book bucks the trend in which all other Sports Books/'Autobiographies' are written. This in my opinion is largely down to both the author Paul Kimmage and its subject.
Cascarino gives Kimmage the perfect template for a story. Whilst not being a superstar, Cascarino has some truly honest stories to tell from his times at a multitude of clubs. Due to Cascarino's popularity (or lack of) Kimmage does not have to be fearful of writing something that needs snappy soundbites for some tabloid serialisation and is instead allowed to write a thrilling account of one players account of life during football.
I cant recommend this story highly enough as it seems to be the perfect sports 'autobiography'. Firstly, its brutally honest. Its also written just as he has finished his career, therein Cascarino does not have to feign nice-ities with anyone and is not afraid of saying something which may jeopardise his career. Finally, Cascarino's story does what a book like this should do - give you a true insight into the man.
Comparing Roy Keane to Tony Cascarino is like comparing chalk and cheese. On the football pitch there would be no contest, but on the bookshelves the difference in how football books should be written is plain to see.
If you enjoy this book and like the sytle of writing, pick up Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage on his life in the Tour de France.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Eventhough I've never really rated Cascarino as a player I'd put this book in my all time top 10. It's a far cry from the "Tuesday, Oct 1, I woke up, had toast for breakfast, went training, then spent the afternoon playing golf" type of book other players have written. Full Time provides a wonderful insight into some of the games most well known characters (the portrayal of Jack Charlton is class!). Fair play to Mr Cascarino for providing us a brutally honest and often hilarious account of what it's like being a professional footballer. Even if you don't like football, you will enjoy this. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Footsie Book
A very interesting journey with Mr Cascarino obviously an intelligent man as well as a gifted footballer, up the Villa.
Published 3 months ago by martin smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book
Great read.... Brilliant insight. Cascarino had an interesting career and personal life. One of the best football books ever written, up there alongside Fever Pitch.
Published 3 months ago by R. Lindley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
Well thought out ,warts an` all book.Not the run of the mill football book.If you have an interest in what goes on behind the scenes this is a must buy.
Published 4 months ago by Paul Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Service
The book was as described and arrived very quickly. Makes the delay on a second book puzzling Very good service.
DLH
DLH
Published 4 months ago by DLH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Retrospective revelations
Having enjoyed the brutal honesty of Only a Game? and Red Card Roy I was told to give Cascarino's tale a go. Read more
Published 8 months ago by The Editor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Happy Memories from the "Ice-cream Man"
A really enjoyable read. Tony has had a remarkable and interesting life. Definetely one of life's characters. Am glad to see all has worked out well for Tony.
Published 16 months ago by Kieron Maguire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Read
Absolutely riveting reading and a real contrast to the ghost-written pap that other footballers have churned out in recent years.
Published 20 months ago by Sleepless
4.0 out of 5 stars
So well written
If you know Tony Cascarino.. you will not see his image in this book. The author Paul Kimmage has made this the best, most well written football autobiography. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2011 by LOB
5.0 out of 5 stars
more than the usual football biography
I actually bought this book because it was the book of the month on the mumsnet book club. I am a woman who likes football but have always felt in the minority so I was so shocked... Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2010 by Copycreate
4.0 out of 5 stars
Honest and colourful account
Tony Cascarino had an unusual football career; after early successes at Gillingham and Millwall, he under-achieved following big-money moves to Aston Villa, Celtic and Chelsea,... Read more
Published on 6 July 2010 by M. V. Clarke
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