Book recommendation - My Father And Other Working Class Footballers

[Cunny]

It won the Whitbread best sports book in 2005 - well deserved but it's just a terrific book regardless of genre.

 

Gary Imlach is best known for presenting the NFL and Tour De France on the television in the UK. His dad was professional footballer in the 50s/60s for Bury, Forest (FA Cup win in 1959), Derby, Palace, Coventry. When his dad was dieing and died of cancer, Imlach realised he knew little of his dad's career or the man himself. So, he sets about trying to find out by interviewing old teammates and going through newspaper archives and the football memorabilia circuit.

 

It highlights the difference between footballers then and now, explains the fight against the maximum wage and the retain and transfer system that the clubs exploited the players with. His dad played for Scotland in the 58 world cup and he never got an official cap!!!! The players were second class citizens.

 

It's a touching story, well written and anyone who has an interest in football or the father/son relationship should read it, it's a cracking read.