Product Description

Paul Canovilles story is one of extreme racist bigotry, shattering career-ending injury, a decline into drug abuse, battles against cancer, family tragedy and a determination to beat the odds. Canoville was Chelsea's first black first-team player, making his debut in 1982. But as he warmed up on the touchline, his own supporters began chanting 'We don't want the nigger!' The racist bile continued whenever he played, but within a year he had won over the terraces with his explosive pace and skill. Canoville fell out with the Chelsea board and moved to Reading in 1986, where injury suddenly ended his career at the age of 24. This started a downward spiral including the death of his baby in his arms, two bouts of life-threatening lymph cancer, drug abuse and homelessness. But Canoville fought back. In this explosive and shocking story, Paul finally explains why, despite everything, he is more positive than ever and has remained a fervent Chelsea fan all his life. This is a story of hope - eventually - overcoming adversity.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15259 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 394 pages

Review

'one of the most powerful sports books ever written...an exceptional account of an extraordinary man'

(Pat Nevin, Chelseafc.com )

'unputdownable'

(Observer )

'a compelling read skilfully put together'

(Mirror )

'compelling'

(Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph )

About the Author
Paul Canoville was born in Hillingdon, London. Starting out playing for non-league Hillingdon Borough, Canoville signed for Chelsea in 1981. He made his debut against Crystal Palace in April 1982 aged 20. He joined Reading in 1986, where his career ended due to injury. Paul Canoville lives in London.

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Customer Reviews

Sad but true
I watched Paul Cannoville play right at the end of his career. He was a talented player but I was saddened to read how his life had spiralled after he finished playing.
It makes shocking reading and I finished the book in one sitting as I simply had to know how things worked out.
I'm delighted Paul seems to have emerged the other side in one piece but this book should be compulsory reading for any apprentice starting out in the game - not every player becomes a millionaire with their picture in every tabloid.
I hope Paul found writing the book helpful and I wish him all the best.

Black and Blue
This book should be required reading for every young aspiring footballer.It really is a mark in the development of football in this country.It shows how racism in football affected a young man and took him to places that no human should have to go.This book will make you laugh and cry and to all football fans if you were involved in the horrible bating of black players in the 70's and 80's read this book and hang your head in shame.Paul Cannoville shows in his book how the human spirit can come back from the greatest adversity and bounce back to help others.A great book get it.

Great read
An excellent read for all football fans but particularly Chelsea fans. He had an amazing and humbling life and interesting to see how society has progressed since the 1980's. The dialogue drifts a little towards the 3rd quarter but still a very good book.