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Sporting Autobiographies

Discussion in 'General Sport' started by TallinnBantam, Oct 9, 2019.

  1. TallinnBantam

    TallinnBantam
    P.L. 23/24 Top 30 P.L.24/25 Entrant Supporter

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    Just finished reading Bothams "Head On". Quite enjoyed it. I was only eight years old when he won "his" Ashes, so can't really remember him in his top form, but of course i remember him during the late eighties and early nineties. Impressive how he just powered himself into the sport, and was lucky enough to be talented to play professional football too. Comes across as very confident, a bit pig headed, but pretty much black and white. Does his fund raising bit too.

    Another I just finished a while back, after having it for a while but not getting round to it, is Jamie Lawrence's book. As much as I like the guy, and he was an absolute diamond for us, the book got a bit boring in the end, as all he is doing is bigging himself up a lot (especially a certain part of his anatomy!) and just bragging about how great he is/was. A bit disappointed with that read.

    Got me thinking. What are your favourite sporting autobiographies? Which ones would you recommend? I tend to go towards people who have some sort of obsessive/addictive personalities. I like to see what makes them tick. "Gazza My Story" is an absolute belter. Totally makes you realise the madness behind the genius. Ronnie O'Sullivan is another interesting one, as is Tony Adams. Roy Keane and Fergie go without saying as "must reads".

    Would be interested to hear what other suggest.
     
    #1 TallinnBantam, Oct 9, 2019
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  2. Hulmebantam

    Hulmebantam
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    Marcus Trescothick's book is very good. Open about his struggles with his mental health.

    Both are divisive figures, but the books by David Millar and Chris Froome are both great insights into being a professional cyclists.

    Tend to find most football biographies of current players a bit dull, although I want to read the Peter Crouch book. Agree that the Keane book is a must read.
     
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    #2 Hulmebantam, Oct 10, 2019
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  3. shoatsy

    shoatsy
    Euro24 PL Entrant P.L.24/25 Entrant P.L. 20/21 Top 30 Qatar 2022 Entrant Euro 2020

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    Tony Adams is decent
     
    #3 shoatsy, Oct 17, 2019
  4. marshy77

    marshy77 Emergency Backup

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    Much to many peoples annoyance I really enjoyed Joey Barton's. Obviously it's a one sided piece but I thought it was very good.
     
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    #4 marshy77, Oct 18, 2019
  5. Offcomedun

    Offcomedun
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    The Peter Crouch book - How to be a Footballer - is a very entertaining read. It really lifts the lid on the madness of 21st century football culture in the PL.
     
    #5 Offcomedun, Oct 19, 2019
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  6. The Original EB

    The Original EB Squad Player

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    Carlo Ancelotti " Quiet Leadership".
    In his final few weeks at Valley Parade I wrote to David Hopkin suggesting he read this book but he never replied.
     
    #6 The Original EB, Oct 19, 2019
  7. Interested Bystander

    Interested Bystander
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    Might be out of print now, but "Left Foot Forward" by Gary Nelson (ex Southend, Charlton, Torquay and few others) is a diary of a journeyman pro in the mid 90s. Good read.
     
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    #7 Interested Bystander, Oct 19, 2019
  8. alex

    alex Impact Sub

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    Zlatan’s book is good (I think it’s called I am Zlatan). He’s got an interesting background and his upbringing sounded pretty tough so his journey to where he is now is really impressive and you get to see behind the arrogant, showman front that he puts on.
     
    #8 alex, Oct 19, 2019
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