His memories of the 60s and 70s were brilliant but it was lazily ghost written. Some parts seemed like they were pulled straight from the interview tapes. It highlights the difference between then and now. Modern players even in the lower leagues have a much better life nowadays. The guy is a legend.
I have to agree with some of the above. Barry is a great bloke by all accounts and certainly a club legend but, like many sporting autobiographies, it is completely bland.
Most successful sports people are completely bland. It's the flawed ones that make better reading. Ronnie O' Sullivan is the only sportsman that has gone against the grain and remained successful throughout.
You could have a point. A lot are so focused they maybe miss what's happening around them. I can't think of a single sports autobiography that has remotely reached being well written or interesting. On a tangent of chalk and cheese I finished listening to the autobiography of Stevie Van Zandt over Xmas. Narrated by himself. Absolutely brilliant. Colourful, humorous, a mine of fascination and a superb insight into the music scene he experienced from the 60s onwards. Now THAT'S a good read.
A bit boring if I'm honest most player biographies are unless you're talking about George Best or Bobby Charlton. Neil Redfearn's was better but only because it included the most successful period in the recent history of the club.
He was the right hand man of Springsteen and a solo artist plus also in Sopranos and Lillyhammer. If you should decide to buy it I'd seriously recommend paying extra for the audio version just to hear him narrate it. I've just started listening again with the other half who is also loving it.
If you’ve not read em Stephen. Sportsmen Very Good reads Dicky Bird. Very funny in parts and showed what a closed club Yorkshire were. Given his outstanding record as a batsman when picked Boycott on Boycott Enlightening Gazza very funny Good Botham Bit bland Redders Murphy. Ok An insight into when players played for peanuts compared to today. Parkin. chapter 2 repeat chapter 1 and so on Poor Greavsey played with a tin can and old leather ball on the streets. WE all did in the 50s till the 70s Tommy Docherty boring read In fact packed it in halfway through. All imo that is. Best non sport and best by far Ricky Tomlinson fantastic read. beginning to end And special mention for Billy Connolly. Harrowing what he went through as a child. But skip his Mrs introduction. I didn’t know half the words she used.
I agree. When it came out a few months ago I got Hooked by Paul Merson which was a brilliant read about his issues through the years with drugs, alcohol and especially gambling. I can't recommend the book enough. Currently reading Saved by Peter and Steph Shilton which is another excellent read where they explain how they met each other, how he admitted to her being a gambling addict, marrying each other and how they plan to hold the industry to account.
I found the book a real pleasure to read. The ultimate one-club man, who had a terrific career playing to the very best of his abilities, winding up with a top coaching post and still carrying out a role for the Reds on matchdays. It helps that I started watching the Reds during Barry's career and can recollect the characters he mentions along the way - none more so than 'Winnie'. Barry is an absolute gentleman and that comes across here, his story being told with Doug O'Kane in a pleasing, straightforward manner. It's a tale of a dying breed these days.
Alex Fergusons first book is a very good read. From the Ibrox disaster to Jock Stein stopping the Scotland team bus to support the picketing Miners etc. Very interesting.
What was Redders called Bri, thought it was that. Edit There’s only one Neil Redfearn Don’t think I’ve read Micks. Pretty sure I would have remembered some of it.
Most Football autobiographies are bland but some are well worth a read including the ones below Len Johnrose Matt Jansen Ben Thornley Paddy Kenny Lee Howey Stan Ternent Gary Ablett Andy Morrison Mel Sterland Paul Lake 56. The story of the Bradford fire is an excellent thought provoking read as well
