- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Willow; New edition edition (3 Aug 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002187744
- ISBN-13: 978-0002187749
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
46,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #74 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > British
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Product Description
Review
‘Don’t be lured into believing anyone who has spent their career splashing about in the lower divisions can’t possibly write a book that stands up to critical acclaim. How wrong you would be’
Daily Mail
Product Description
Garry Nelson’s diary of the highs and lows of a struggling third division football league club is an authentic and refreshingly vivid expose of English professional football, with an insight into the problems and day-to-day anxieties of players, backroom staff and management alike.
From the temperamental mini-star through to the no-hoper reject, from early season cheer to end of season gloom, from a glorious triumph to a struggle to put eleven players on the field, this portrayal of the life and times of Torquay United FC captures the essence of what football is all about.
The book also takes in the wider issues, such as the funding of soccer, FIFA and the British transfer system. Through it all, the former Torquay United player-coach never fails to illuminate his words with sharp comparisons and ironic contrasts that are part and parcel of the game in this country.
Following on from his first book, the bestselling Left Foot Forward, Garry Nelson has established himself as an excellent writer and a shrewd and thoughtful analyser of football.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A diary of a season in charge of a no hope mid-table side. On the face of it nothing very exciting but once you pick up the book you can't put it down. Sounds very corny I know, but anyone addicted to Championship Manager will be very familiar with that "Oh my god, is that really the time?" feeling. And you learn so much about what it's really like to manage a struggling football club. Definitely not about champagne and cigars.
Not only that but written by the legendary Goldstone Gaz - what more do you want?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Million pound transfers, star billing, international celebrity status, media scrums, there is none of this in this excellent book about the minnows of football.
Having found his career at Charlton Athletic at an end Garry Nelson is offered a lifeline by the new manager/coach at Torquay United FC. Its a club that traditionally resides as cellar dwellers of the Football Association. It had finished 24th and only survived relogation to the Conference after beating a High Court Challenge.
The season is one of promise, failure, cost cutting, tough decisions, personal injuries and modest gains. Early on he learns the golden rules of coaching lower divisions, 'just remember the players don't remember anything', and as the season progresses and potentially good players are released or moved on because the budget doesn't fit, or a player goes totally loopy, you feel the grey hairs on Nelson's head multiplying and the pain of the owner and supporters intensifying.
What can such a team and club do to improve? How do you face the challenge of even getting players to come to the club, when simple things like house prices prevent them living anywhere near.
This book taught me more about football than every other football book I have read put together.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Brilliant book of Nelson's head-coach year at Torquay United, through all the season's ups (not finishing bottom) and downs (star player punching out a West Ham star international). Witty, not afraid of self-confession, and with intriguing insights into where the game has been going into the Premiership age, a must for any fan who believes that football is much more than how many millions Carbone/Anelka/Beckham/(fill in the blank with this week's overpaid whinger) wants to be paid. And Alex Ferguson would never survive without a PLC to back him.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A warning of the disaster to come for English Football under Sky that...
Essential reading for all Football Fans who feel the game has disowned them......this follow up to 'Left Foot Forward' remains a cracking read, and IF ONLY those who sold our game... Read more
Published 11 months ago by M. ISAACS
Incompetence
Did not get book ordered - got a soft-porn one instead opened by my nephew. Not exactly good for family relationships. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Disgruntled
Real Football
This account of life managing one of the Football League's poorest (in every sense of the word) clubs is a very interesting read for anyone who wants to know what it's really like. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by Stephen Bishop
Garry Nelson > Jack Welch
Garry Nelson has written two of the best books on sport I have read.
This gem should be on the class list of every business school in the country. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2002 by Joe Bonanno
Grassroots Uncut
A revealing insight into the trials and tribulations of grassroot football. The effort required to keep a club afloat while juggling lack of players, restricted budgets and Jon... Read more
Published on 14 July 2000
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