Who reads footballers' autobiographies?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Reeeevenge.

[ohjimmyjimmy]

Hunt our "A Breath of Fresh Ayre" by Fred Ayre.

A little old fashioned now but a great insight into the life of a lower league player.


He tells the tale of playing for Wigan (in their 3rd/4th division days) and some fan in particular taking a disliking to him. He booed and cat-called him at ever opportunity. Being small crowds it was possible to see the geezer involved.

He had, at home, an issue with his washing machine and the wife arranged a plumber to call after his training was done for the day. The bell rang and ... yes ... the plumber was the abusive fan. Ayre noted it was him, but said nothing. The plumber will doubtless have recognised him but presumed he himself was not known to Ayre.

The plumbing began, washer pulled out, toolbag on the floor, man in overalls crawling all over the floor behind the machine. Biding his time, once things were moving Ayre began booing the guy, cat-calling his choice of spanner or wrench ... singing "you don't know what you're doing" whenever he needed a change of tool. Abusing him when any water spilt on the tiles.

Love the concept.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books/s?ie=UTF8 ... red%20Eyre" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That may have been the fella i was thinking of, i'm sure that's the book i read

[ChrisC]

Hunt our "A Breath of Fresh Ayre" by Fred Ayre.

A little old fashioned now but a great insight into the life of a lower league player.


He tells the tale of playing for Wigan (in their 3rd/4th division days) and some fan in particular taking a disliking to him. He booed and cat-called him at ever opportunity. Being small crowds it was possible to see the geezer involved.

He had, at home, an issue with his washing machine and the wife arranged a plumber to call after his training was done for the day. The bell rang and ... yes ... the plumber was the abusive fan. Ayre noted it was him, but said nothing. The plumber will doubtless have recognised him but presumed he himself was not known to Ayre.

The plumbing began, washer pulled out, toolbag on the floor, man in overalls crawling all over the floor behind the machine. Biding his time, once things were moving Ayre began booing the guy, cat-calling his choice of spanner or wrench ... singing "you don't know what you're doing" whenever he needed a change of tool. Abusing him when any water spilt on the tiles.

Love the concept.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books/s?ie=UTF8 ... red%20Eyre" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very good

Thanks for sharing Bobo

[Turkish Trotter]

Fred Eyre also wrote "Kicked into touch", Also very good read about life in the lower leagues. not sure which came first, but both well worth reading.

[Harry Genshaw]

Loving the Craig Bellamy piece

Read both the Fred Eyre ones several years ago - both good reads.

Ferguson's is actually pretty good but far better than Tony Adams self indulgent effort is Paul McGrath's. I'm told Tony Cascarinos was supposed to be a good one but not read it myself

[officer_dibble]

Go on then. Who was the secret footballer. Was it Kevin Davies?