Product Description

Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team. Here, for the first time, he tells the story of his lifelong obsession with football, in an honest and revealing book which captures the extraordinary camaraderie, the soul-destroying tensions and the high-octane thrills of the modern game as never before. Born in the Liverpool suburb of Huyton in 1980, Steven first joined Liverpool as a YTS trainee and played his first game for the first team aged just 18. His career has gone from strength to strength ever since and he is now the team's captain and its lynchpin. Liverpool's incredible comeback in the Champions' League final in Istanbul in May 2005, recovering from a 3-goal deficit against AC Milan to win on penalties, is testament to the amazing power Gerrard has over his team. His presence on the pitch is a force to be reckoned with and places him amongst the very first rank of players in the world. A relatively private figure, Steven has rarely spoken out in public. Now, his legions of fans will be allowed an intimate glimpse of what makes their hero tick. He speaks for the first time about the torturous will-he-won't-he Chelsea rumours and his undying passion for Liverpool. We experience first-hand the highs of winning in Istanbul and elsewhere, as well as the occasional lows of being parted from his much-loved family and friends. And of course, the book contains a full blow-by-blow account of England's world cup campaign in Germany 2006. Steven Gerrard's book is the definitive football autobiography. Like its subject, it's honest, passionate and exhilarating. If Steven Gerrard isn't your hero yet, by the time you've read this he will be...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2857 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From the Back Cover
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team. Here, for the first time, he tells the story of his lifelong obsession with football, in an honest and revealing book which captures the extraordinary camaraderie, the teeth-grinding tension and the high-octane thrills of the modern game as never before.

A relatively private figure, Steven has rarely spoken out in public. Now, his legions of fans are allowed an intimate glimpse of what makes their hero tick. He describes for the first time the torturous will-he-won't-he Chelsea rumours – and his undying passion for Liverpool. We experience first-hand the highs of winning in Istanbul and elsewhere, as well as the lows of being parted from his much-loved family and friends. And, of course, the book contains a full blow-by-blow account of England's World Cup campaign in Germany 2006 and Liverpool’s 2006–07 season.

Steven Gerrard’s book is the definitive football autobiography. Like its subject, it’s honest, passionate and exhilarating. If Steven Gerrard isn’t your hero yet, by the time you’ve read this he will be…

About the Author
Born in 1980, Steven Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in November 1998 as a second-half substitute against Blackburn. His first start came against Tottenham Hotspur a week later. As well as his skilful tackling and brilliant passes, Gerrard is also capable of scoring spectacular goals. His strike against Manchester United during the 2000-01 Treble season was voted Liverpool's best ever Premiership goal. Gerrard gained his first England cap against Ukraine in 2000 and scored his first goal for his country in September 2001 with a magnificent strike from 25 yards in the 5-1 win over Germany. As well as collecting winner's medals in the League Cup (twice), FA Cup (twice), UEFA Cup, Champions League and the European Super Cup, Gerrard picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2001 and PFA Player of the Year for 2006.

Customer Reviews

Fascinting insight into a modern day Captain Marvel
Reading this book gave me an insight into how not all modern footballers are wideboy, prima donna's obssessed with the bling. I bought the book and read it within a week which for someone who isn't the keenest say's alot.

In the book he explains about why his roots and his family are important to him. It was very interesting to read about the drama of an injury when he was young nearly ended everything before it began (I won't give too many details). Other intriguing childhood insight comes from his rejection by the school of excellence at Lilleshall affected him badly and drove him to become a better player.

There are a number of inner insecurities and difficulities in talking about his problems that you discover in the book which are amazing to discover. To read about how his parents divorce, first getting into the Liverpool team, and the struggle of Euro 2000 provides an insight into the kind of thoughts that make reading an autobiography worth reading.

It was good to hear Stevie's own view on his relationship with Alex Curran rather than what the papers tell us to think. The chapters that dealt with rejecting a moves to Chelsea are fascinating and create a great sympathy for what a difficult decission it was.

My personal highlight of the book was the chapter about the Champions League triumph. It brought tingles down my spine thinking about the atmosphere and pressure that that situation must bring and the elation of managing to lift the trophy. As part of this it was amazing to read how honesty he talks about his relationship with Rafael Benitez. From his first impressions and his desire to make the manager praise one of his performances.

Overall a fantastic book with lots of absorbing insight into what makes Steven Gerrard arguably the best English footballer in the modern game.

From Ironside to Istanbul
This is an honest and touching insight into the achievements and personal development of young Stevie G. It's definitely a cut above the average autobiography of a footballer, how he nearly never played football ever again, the impact of his 10 year old cousin dying at Hillsborough, the disappointment of not being selected for the Lillieshall School of Excellence, where he discloses how he learned to play alongside his heroes while still being a scally teenager, revealing inside perspectives on the managers Houllier and Benitez in particular, the pressures and exaggerations of the press, joining the England squad as a teenager, the realisation that the individuals players at MUFC were OK despite the club being the long-standing enemy, the sadness of Michael Owen going to Real Madrid after playing with him since they were 9, the inspiration from and identity with the fans in the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, the torture of whether to leave Liverpool for a record breaking transfer fee, the break-up of his parent's marriage and the last gasp effort when suffering painful cramp to score the equaliser in the Cup Final.

Yet despite all this success and his financially secure future, he's still very much in touch with his roots and given half a chance, he'd back at Ironside playing with the boys and acting out the great games and goals - only now he has no need to pretend he's someone else.

I read this book over two days and loved it. Henry Winter and Paul Joyce deserve praise for how they have presented the tale of local boy does well and grows up.

However, I should really declare an interest, having been at both the 2005 European Cup Final and 2006 FA Cup final, and watched him many times from the Kop End over the last 8 years of his career.

The greatest football autobiography of all time
This book is amazing. It beats every other footie book you've ever read by miles. You really get inside Stevie's head and understand what it feels like to play for a team you love, both Liverpool and England. He doesn't pull any punches either - I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of him!
A fantastic read from start to finish!