Colin Shindler was dealt a cruel hand by Fate when he became a passionate Manchester City supporter. In this brilliant sporting autobiography he recalls the great characters of his youth, like his eccentric Uncle Laurence, as well as his professional heroes. Threaded through these sporting events is the author's own story, which touches on a universal nerve, growing up in a Jewish family, his childhodd destroyed by the sudden death of his mother and his slow emotional recovery through his love for Manchester City. It is a tale that reveals what it is like to be on the outside looking in, with his nose pressed up against the sweet shop window watching the United supporters take all the wine gums.
Manchester United Ruined My Life
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Amazon Review
As a young Jewish boy growing up in Manchester, Colin Shindler learned early what it meant to be part of a minority. When a cruel twist of fate determined he support Manchester City, rather than their more consistently successful neighbours Manchester United, the youngster was doomed forever to live on the margins.
Manchester United Ruined My Life is a delightful, humourous look at what it meant to grow up in 1960s Jewish Manchester. Reconciled with rival fans only in summer, when both could sit peacefully side by side at the unimaginatively named "Old Trafford" ground of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Shindler will speak for many with his frustration at the marketing machine that is Manchester United plc. Pulling no punches--"When Alex Ferguson finally clears his desk, it is more likely to be at the request of the chairman of the Stock Exchange than the traditional choir of disaffected supporters"--he vents his fury at the unashamed commercialisaton of the game, the diasporic fan base (many of whom have never set foot inside England, never mind Old Trafford) and the feisty Scottish manager himself, with an obsession only true fans of the game will appreciate.
But more than just a sporting commentary lamenting the bygone Halcyon days of English soccer, Manchester United Ruined My Life is one little boy's story of his struggle to establish his identity among the challenges of religion, family and death. Shindler's prose is easy and accessible yet lyrical and evocative; there is no doubt his love for his city has endured. That this affection is somewhat rose-tinted, tinged with the distance a successful television career in London allows, takes nothing away from the book. Manchester United Ruined My Life is a commodity more valuable than Old Trafford shares--it is an enjoyable, highly readable, football book with real literary merit. Highly recommended for everyone who has ever sung "Stand Up, If You Hate Man U". --Lucie Naylor
Review
'This is a wonderful book ... It is also extremely funny' (Alan English, Sunday Times )
‘His prose ... is never less than sharp, smart and easy on the eye ... His writing is so attractive ... [I] would be thrilled to read more’ (Jim White, Guardian )
‘It is his childhood and absent friends that touch the rawest, universal nerve’ (Simon Garfield, Mail on Sunday )
‘Shindler’s art lies in conversational writing, and an ability to change gear deftly from humour to devotion and back through fanaticism to the black comedy of Manchester City’ (Howard Davies, The Times )
‘Shindler is both touching and convincing in his evocation of his formative years ... it’s skilful, entertaining and heading for the top of the league’ (Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail )
‘Evocative, funny-sad and warm-hearted’ (Michael Henderson, The Times )
‘Sits in the same class as Fever Pitch ... Shindler’s down-to-the-bone honesty also reminds us self-indulgence can be great entertainment’ (The Times )
‘This could still be the most important football book since Fever Pitch capturing, as it does, the delicious irony that caused City fans to fall into a soon to be legendary chorus of "Are you watching Macclesfield?"’ (Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News )
‘As an example of the inherent irrationality of sport, his account - part autobiography, part social disquisition - could hardly be bettered’ (Stuart Bathgate, Scotsman )
‘His prose ... is never less than sharp, smart and easy on the eye ... His writing is so attractive ... [I] would be thrilled to read more’ (Jim White, Guardian )
‘It is his childhood and absent friends that touch the rawest, universal nerve’ (Simon Garfield, Mail on Sunday )
‘Shindler’s art lies in conversational writing, and an ability to change gear deftly from humour to devotion and back through fanaticism to the black comedy of Manchester City’ (Howard Davies, The Times )
‘Shindler is both touching and convincing in his evocation of his formative years ... it’s skilful, entertaining and heading for the top of the league’ (Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail )
‘Evocative, funny-sad and warm-hearted’ (Michael Henderson, The Times )
‘Sits in the same class as Fever Pitch ... Shindler’s down-to-the-bone honesty also reminds us self-indulgence can be great entertainment’ (The Times )
‘This could still be the most important football book since Fever Pitch capturing, as it does, the delicious irony that caused City fans to fall into a soon to be legendary chorus of "Are you watching Macclesfield?"’ (Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News )
‘As an example of the inherent irrationality of sport, his account - part autobiography, part social disquisition - could hardly be bettered’ (Stuart Bathgate, Scotsman )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Shindler writes with a passion for his subject and a long, painful knowledge of Man City but this is spoilt by a clumsy and leaden style. This is surprising for someone who repeatedly reminds us that he is a Cambridge history graduate who has spent his whole working life in TV and the arts. His most irritating trait in this book is to tantalise us with hints of interesting tales but without delivering the goods. Thus we learn that in the late 1960s, the sublime Colin Bell had all the ingredients of a happy life - E-type Jag, great talent, successful career, big house - but was miserable. Why ? Colin Shindler is so astonished he forgets to ask. Twenty years later he catches up with Bell again - and still we learn nothing about the great man ! Similarly, we never learn why the great rapport that Shindler shared with his sports-mad uncle turned to disaffection. What went wrong ? This book has some funny anecdotes (though the Bobby Kennedy story on page one is the best) and some moving passages such as the loss of his mother when still a young boy, but ultimately it fails to deliver on its early promise. A lot like Man City really... Not a bad book but not even nearly in the same division as Nick Hornby's 'Fever Pitch' and as a fellow Blues supporter who really wanted to like this book, it is hard to have to say that.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Shindler writes with a passion for his subject and a long knowledge of it but this is spoilt by a clumsy and leaden style ... his most irritating trait in this book is to tantalise us with hints of interesting tales but without delivering the goods. Thus we learn that in the late 1960s, the sublime Colin Bell had all the ingredients of a happy life - E-type Jag, great talent, succesful career, big house - but was miserable. Why ? Colin forgets to ask. Twenty years later he catches up with Bell again - and we still learn nothing about the man ! Similarly, we never learn why the great rapport that Shindler shared with his sports-mad uncle turned to disaffection. What went wrong ? This book has some funny anecdotes (though the Bobby Kennedy story on page one is the best) and some moving passages such as the tragic loss of his mother when still a young boy, but ultimately it fails to deliver on its early promise. A lot like Man City, really... Not a bad book but not even nearly in the same division as Nick Hornby's 'Fever Pitch' and as a fellow Blues supporter who really wanted to enjoy this book, it is hard to have to say that.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Bernie Wood
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A must read for any long standing City fan . A humorous viewpoint on being forever in United's shadows .
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
MANCHESTER UNITED RUINED MY LIFE
A VERY ENTERTAINING READ. THE BOOK CHRONICALS THE PARALLEL ACHIEVEMENTS OF MAN.CITY AND MAN.UNITED.
ALSO THE BOOK INTRODUCES INTO THE NARRATIVE THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE... Read more
ALSO THE BOOK INTRODUCES INTO THE NARRATIVE THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by P. J. DOBSON
1.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewing the reviews
This hardened bitter blue is currently on TV, which prompted me to look at this. The hilarity of this book is in the reviews on here by those abu's obsessed by United. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2007 by Manchester majority
4.0 out of 5 stars
ManYoo in the eyes of a supporter
Shindler's account of being a Manchester United fan ignites that part of us(ie those football fans) where our allegiance crosses barriers of race, creed and oceans so as to... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2007 by Jay
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant, but routine
This is a pleasant read, but there isn't much new about it. The book's tone and subject matter reminded me of Nick Hornby's rather better "Fever Pitch". Read more
Published on 9 July 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
A truly splendid read!
I enjoyed this form cover to cover. I grew up in the eighties supporting City and coming from Cheshire, so rants aside about Lancashire (Red) V Cheshire (Blue), this book although... Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2001 by gerschwin@onetel.net.uk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent nostalgic reading
Colin Shindler really captures the spirit of growing up in 60's Manchester. It matters not who you support or what your faith is, anybody in their 40's now, will remember these... Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2000 by zzr1500@hotmail.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
Puts into words what we all think
This a rare book, one which despite being from a totally different part of the country from the author and of a totally different age, I can completeley relate to, because I too... Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book has become part of my life. Thank you Colin!!
I haven't been able to put this book down and have started to read it for the second time. I hope that there will be a sequel. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
A total classic!
Everyone who hates man utd should immediately buy this book! I found it reassuring to read about his habits and rituals, and now, mine don't seem so obscure! Read more
Published on 9 July 2000
1.0 out of 5 stars
Drivvel
The title of the book is very misleading.
It seems to mostly be about bloody cricket. Don't buy this book,
Published on 27 Jun 2000
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