Product Description

Jeremy Wilson examines the careers of the 20 greatest Cult Heroes in the history of Southampton Football Club and discovers the essence of what makes a South Coast icon. From 60s stalwart Terry Paine, through charismatic manager Lawrie McMenemy to the man known to all Saints fans as 'Le God' - Matthew Le Tissier, and from goal grabbers Mick Channon and Charlie Wayman to one club men like Francis Benali and Mr Southampton himself, Ted Bates, Wilson reveals why each of the 20 icons became the embodiment of the fans on the pitch through anecdotes, interviews and revelations. Not to mention charting how Southampton turned from a backwater side into a regular top flight club.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #120186 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Review
In the age of the endless dull autobiography, this football book actually stands out as one worth reading. --On The Cross, Saints website.

A thoroughly readable book that encapsulates some of the great days of The Dell and St.Mary's. Each chapter is revealing, entertaining and above all a thoughtful and well-researched look at not just football but life in and out of the crazy glare of the media spotlight --Russell Cook, The Bookseller

Customer Reviews

A return to form for Wilson
Expecting a somewhat workmanlike history of Southampton's greatest players I was pleasantly surprised to find a beautifully written, well researched tome that will appeal to the serious Southampton FC scholar and general reader alike. Like a latter day William S Burroughs, Wilson dissects the fragmented heart of Southampton's history and rearranges it in hiw own inimitable style. His panoramic sweep and penetrating insights illuminate the often dark lives of these Saints' heroes, setting a definitive standard in sporting biography.

'Southampton's Cult Heroes' however, left me with one or two minor quibbles, hence only the 4 stars. Spelling and grammar standards occasionally slip - the ditor should be shot! And there is no chapter on that most ginger of Saints, wee Gordon Strachan - but despite these minor disappointments Wilson's unputdownable epic will stay with you long after the last page is turned. A minortriumph.

Cult Heroes
This is THE BOOK for a Christmas present! How does he get access to so many people? Written with great insight - as always, if you have read his articles in the Independent, Times newspapers, etc.

Going to buy this book for my Mum ... and all sad Norwich fans! Seriously, this is a brilliant read. And all Saints fans should have a copy by the bedside cos you won't do anything else but stay up all night reading it. Sorry to your partner!

When football was fun...
This quite simply the best book about Southampton Football Club I've ever read.

The many amusing and revealing behind-the-scenes anecdotes really get under the skin of what the atmosphere was like in the Saints dressing room during the careers of each cult hero interviewed.

This book strikes at the heart of what Southampton FC was about until a few years ago - entertainment, laughs, big matches and great stories.

The wonderful chapter on Ivan Golac should be prescribed reading for sufferers of depression and anxiety disorders! His world view is so refereshing.