The Secret Footballer

I enjoyed this insider's look into Premier League football, even if it is a bit outdated now. TSF is a thoughtful man, someone who wants more out of life than just a footballer's career, and I appreciated that. It gives him a different perspective on his career (one that, judging by GR reviews, is not fully appreciated by fans of the Premier League), because it allows him to put football into a larger context than "the best league in the world."

TSF had what appears to be a charmed show more rags-to-riches rise from a council estate to the top of professional football. He's no angel - he's paid dearly in financial terms for some of the shit his agent got him into - and he doesn't pretend to be. His struggles with depression ring true, and it hurt my heart to read that his groundbreaking column on mental health in the Guardian came out the same day of the news that Gary Speed had taken his own life. Talk about ugly coincidences :(

I did skip the Q&A with the agent because that was just a bunch of BS, but the rest of it was very interesting. I'd love to read his take on football today, especially in light of the huge historical abuse scandal. show less

The Secret Footballer – Access All Areas

Once again The Secret Footballer gets down to the nuts and bolts about the professional game in England lifting the lid on aspects some clubs and managers would never like the light to see. As usual this is a humorous book packed full of information that looks at all the clubs in the current premier league as well as a few of those who are no longer there.

The unique views we are given here are wonderful, frank and honest, some know the TSF identity show more many do not and I hope it stays that way. TSF has now retired from playing professionally and has his fingers in a number of pies. We are able to see how Chief Executives try to dupe fathers about their son’s abilities, steer them away from agents and dazzle them with cash.

TSF also shows us that like wild animals footballers attract tics that will suck the blood out of them until the show is over then disappear in to the mist. When the phrase of “A fool and his money are soon parted..” could easily be aimed at the professional game especially the high echelons and TSF gives some illuminating stories that back this up. Whether it is buying cars, buying in to businesses or investing in ponzi style schemes, not forgetting the ladies that want the money the fame and fortune. On one TV dating programme a professional play was watching was giving a yes, yes, no, no, as to which ones he had sex with, all because they want to be famous.

We are taken on a tour of all the grounds of the premier league and what they are like to play at, and what the crowds are like as well as the dressing rooms. That obtaining 3 points for a win for your team only really costs £25,000, which what the FA fine a manager for berating a referee, and therefore getting a friendlier one to officiate their games. Some managers were better than others at this, especially one that ruled a club that was the biggest team in the league for twenty six years.

The Secret Footballer has once again hit all the right spots with Access All Areas telling the fans who it really is in football. All fans usually suspect that most of what he says goes on but never have the proof, so this feeds in to a fans paranoia but at the same time gives everyone a good laugh. As always one is in despair at some of the people who run the game and run the clubs, sometimes naive, some stupid but money seems to be the largest motivator whoever you are.

Another winner from TSF that all fans should read and take on board. show less

The Secret Footballer’s Guide To The Modern Guide

The Guardian’s Secret Footballer is back in book form, those who have read his columns are still trying to guess his identity and once again he is back in form. The Secret Footballer who has been a hit since first being published has now taken a look at the tips and tactics of the modern game and some of it can be quite eye opening.

Like many football fans with a season ticket I like to think I know all about football, the tactics, the show more politics and everything else that makes up the modern game. I was attending games before the modern game so like many of my generation might think this book is condescending towards them as there is nothing new you could tell us. Well I am happy to say there is plenty to learn from reading this book especially from a professionals’ standpoint.

This book is not quite like his columns and previous books in that it is far less gossipy and is attempting to show us what life is like as a professional football player. We go through the preseason training and the diets that they have to keep, which probably explains why my career ended when I discovered booze, birds and fags.

There is also some excellent analysis of other professional footballers and the clubs that they play for, which again is quite eye opening for the fan. When he tackles the commercial side of the game, the sponsorship of players and those who sponsor is shown to be a reflection of what else is going on within the game. We see how it has also influenced the guardians of the game such as FIFA who the Secret Footballer like the rest of us does not respect.

What I like about this book while not being as humorous as his previous outings we are treated to a real insight of the game that we the fans do not normally see. My hope is that the Secret Footballers revelations continue and that he is never uncovered. Buy this book and you will learn something about the game we love. show less

The book is an absorbing read for anyone who follows football. It didn't take me very long to read it as some of the stories of TSF's career are incredibly interesting and do leave you wanting more.

Most interesting was his perception of the supporters in the stadium on match day and how there are certain elements of the tactical side of the game that only those who have played at a professional level. Also illuminating was TSF's battle with depression.

The book isn't perfect. Some of the show more tales of high-rolling footballers behaving poorly get a little tiresome and less shocking as the book goes on; possibly due to repetitive nature of some of them.

I found myself disagreeing with some of the opinions the author has at times but at least they open a debate so I can't complain too much about that.

There is even something of a twist at the end which adds an element of drama.

Overall this is an intelligently considered account of a world which is often beyond even the most ardent football fan's imagination. show less