Near our house there is a flashy country club that caters for children whose parents drag them there kicking and screaming and dressed in all the gear, with every possible accessory. However, it seems I have passed my own hunger to win down to my children. My older boy is still in the phase of smashing things if he loses at Connect Four, but if we can turn that frustration into a positive we might have something we can work with.
The problem is that a squash court is a sterile environment, and as soon as you introduce rules the fun goes out of the window and the boredom flies in. It was the same with tennis, where the ball rarely made two consecutive visits over the net. There was only one thing left to try, and I faced the uncomfortable truth that my son was going to have to have a go at football. I tracked down a local club that had decent facilities and was run by an ex-player; he explained that the boys were competitive but mostly just loved playing football. That was good enough for us and my son seemed to join in with the training sessions pretty well.
After a couple of weeks the coach said that he felt my son had enough about him to play in a match, and asked him to come along on Saturday. Suddenly I felt incredibly competitive. What if he was no good? What if he embarrassed himself? The Secret Footballer has hired good editors and book never gets boring.
Although some stories smell of bragging, the other are often very insightful. Manily the chapters on depression, which are extraordinary and add another dimension to the whole story of an intelligent footballer that opened the door we were not able to see through. As with the previous book of his I've read - a fun, illuminating peek behind the curtain of being a professional footballer in the Premier League.
I especially liked the story at the end of the book about his kid starting to play. Jul 01, Matthew Andrus rated it it was amazing. Who is the secret footballer? Well that is a question on many peoples lip in fact only a handful of people know his identity although in his latest book "Tales from the secret footballer" he drops plenty of clues for the reader to uncover the identity of TSF.
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The book is frank look inside the mind of a professional footballer, and the issues of the modern game, the book also focuses on the possible different career paths a player can take after his playing days are over. TSF uses some of his frie Who is the secret footballer? TSF uses some of his friends to help him discuss the big issues of the game. If you haven't already read "I am the secret footballer" I urge you too then read this book but be aware disregard everything you think you know about professional footballers. Jun 12, Mancman rated it liked it Shelves: I'd heard a lot about The Secret Footballer, but never actually read anything by him.
So I thought seeing this cheap, it was worth dipping my toe into the water. It turned out to be very tepid, and neither a jolt to the system or comforting. I found the secret element annoying after a few pages. I get it, you can't reveal who you are for fear of repercussions, but I have the ability to retain that information for more than two pages. There are a few interesting insights into the world of football I'd heard a lot about The Secret Footballer, but never actually read anything by him.
There are a few interesting insights into the world of football, but there's a lot of self congratulatory waffle in here too. I was left a little disappointed ultimately. Nov 15, Yankey rated it liked it. The concealing of the authors identity is part of the fun. The intelligence and depth of this individual is impressive since you mostly see only the physical and emotional characteristics of these professionals, I don't often consider much about the personal and business life of these types of celebrities.
Well written, insightful, entertaining and I hope the writer maintains anonymity so he doesn't loose his power to be h Fun little taste of life in the English Premier League English Football.
Well written, insightful, entertaining and I hope the writer maintains anonymity so he doesn't loose his power to be honest. Apr 21, Aidan rated it really liked it.
The Secret Footballer
For anyone interested in the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of professional football. As a lifelong football fan who had stumbled across previous articles written by The Secret Footballer, finding that a local bookstore in Canada had this in stock was a treat. Having not read the first, it was no impediment to enjoying this book but furthered the thought that I should have purchased both this and the first book before now.
Nov 11, Pete rated it liked it Shelves: The book is a collection of newer columns from the writer about the inside world of football.
The book is not nearly as strong as the previous one. Aug 01, Marzena rated it liked it Shelves: Frankly, the biggest downside of this book is that it's written anonymously. Trying to keep the author's identity secret it gets a bit paranoid. It makes the book too general with all these 'a friend of my friend said' Although it's less about football than the first volume, it's a better read.
Nov 06, Stuart Bird rated it liked it. As with the previous books it alternates between genuinely interesting insight on the game and rather self indulgent stories that would be better suited to the after dinner circuit the boat story, for example.
Fans name The Secret Footballer as former Stoke striker Dave Kitson - Birmingham Live
He is clearly intelligent but often comes across as rather too fond of himself. May 01, Mat Francis rated it really liked it. Although the book didn't involve too much about the football side of things and more recounting of stories on trips and what could be in the future for the secret footballer I still enjoyed it and loved the epilogue with his sons first game and the wise words he yelled to him. Jan 24, Peter Berry rated it really liked it. A good follow up to the first Secret Footballer one although perhaps he sounds am bit wearied in this.
Still gives a spotlight on the ins and outs of the football business and a must read for anyone who doesn't want to rely on the back pages or fan message boards. Andrew Johnson All in favour say AJ more…. Possible Candidates David Bentley. Candidates Ruled Out Jason Euell. Is The Secret Footballer a left back? A Fitting Start to the World Cup? The World Cup is Coming! In the end TSF went out on loan. England a Joke says TSF and not a good one! The new book from the Secret Footballer is out today and you can get it at cut price here.
Who is The Secret Leaker?