Stan the Man: A Hard Life in Football [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

Stan Ternent is a legend in Burnley for everything he has done for Burnley Football Club since becoming manager, and the reader is immediately pitched in at the deep end with Ternent and Livesey giving an insight into just how critical the situation at the club was when he arrived, as well as lifting the lid on the public "sacking" of some of his players.

Following that, we go right back to the beginning of his career as a player at Burnley before following him into management. Ternent has had a fascinating career, and his work with some of football's most difficult characters is testimony to his amazing strength of mind.

"Stan the Man" charts an incredible career and all its highs and lows, including the stories behind two of English football's legends playing for Burnley and how race riots in the town cost him a £1 million signing. There are also anecdotes from his time in the game to make you laugh out loud, such as a road rage incident which took place whilst he was on crutches.

Whilst much of the book is related to his work with Burnley, it's an interesting, sometimes shocking and sometimes hilarious account of a life in football as a player and a manager to appeal to any fan of the game.

This goes for the book too. From waiting outside hotels at night for errant players to battles with fellow managers, he's giving you the total and full account of things, and he deserves respect for that.

Stan did a great job to bring Burnley to where they are now. With no finances for buying players, the club surviving, just, on a shoestring budget with the full financial backing of chairman Barry Kilby, many a lesser club would be in the Conference by now.

Nothing at Burnley is simple. They regularly offer up incomprehensible results. They continually concede 4-6 goals, sometimes even 7. They baffle their manager, like their fans. Then they can beat promotion chasing teams like Leicester City (season 2001/2002) 1-0 away from home, stuff Premiership Fulham 3-0 in the FA Cup, and beat fellow Premiership outfit Spurs 2-1 in the League Cup.

When you read this book you will experience what it is like to be a manager. The shoddy treatment at the hands of the media, the expectation of the fans and subsequently the barracking by the fans if things aren't going as planned.

It's written in a style that will appeal to everyone. Stan is a true character and his personality comes across in his writing. He tells all from his days as a youngster, his playing days, his coaching and management days and his family life. Just be prepared for the odd rude word or two!