Although this book has the advantage of not being an autobiography it suffers from not being much of a biography either. We learn that Neville has never had an agent, was less naturally gifted than his brother Phil, worked hard at his game, is an all round sportsman from a talented sporting family and has a place in Malta.
We also have confirmation that he does as he's told (not one to cross the manager), acts as a union rep., writes a Times column and is as one eyed as most other footballers. Unfortunately, we never learn much about him as a person. There are glimpses - the refusal of a benefit game to save overprice fans from forking out money, involvement in charity matters etc.,- but insufficient to be able to identify Gary Neville as a person.
When Stanley Matthews wrote his first autobiography "Back in Touch" he mentioned his father told him, "No fuss". This seems to have been Neville's approach to his association with Manchester United and its manager. Keep your head down and work hard which, in fairness, he did and has reaped rewards as a consequence.
Elsewhere Neville emerged as spokesman for the indefensible threat of the England players to strike in support of Rio Ferdinand when Ferdinand missed a drugs test. He still can't understand why the fans were annoyed. He had words of praise for Eriksson but showed no insight into the reasons for the former England Manager's failure.
Like many soccer players Neville fails to appreciate role models will be judged on how they present themselves on and off the field. In that respect he will never match the legendary status of Matthews or Finney (who appreciates how much Neville has put into his game and what a good team player he is).
But the most of the rest is pap. It's amazing how "devastated" Neville is when club colleagues miss the FA Cup Final, Ferdinand is banned for missing a drugs test and he breaks up with his girl friend. What he would feel when a real crisis arises is anyone's guess.
Neville is of the view that there is negative attitude towards the club but excuses United's failure to contest the F A Cup in 1999/2000 and doesn't mention the arrogance of those fans who suggested it was to give other clubs a chance!! Not the best way gain friends or influence people.
Manchester United fans will like the book, despite its failings, but soccer fans looking for something meaningful about today's game will be disappointed. Apparently, it was printed from wood grown in sustainable forests. It would have been better to have saved the forest in the first place.