Product Description

Duncan McKenzie was one of a handful of footballers in the 1970s who built his reputation on being an entertainer on the field. He was loved or loathed by football experts, admired or berated by opponents and seen as inspirational or exasperating by teammates in equal measures, yet his genius playing style on the pitch earned him a cult status among fans at top clubs. 'The Last Fancy Dan' charts McKenzie's rise through the ranks of football at Nottingham Forest, before signing a record transfer deal for Leeds United during Brian Clough's infamous 44-day stint at the club. Following a sojourn in Europe playing for Anderlecht, McKenzie subsequently entertained crowds at Everton, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers before a brief spell playing stateside for Tulsa Roughnecks and Chicago Sting. This chronicle of McKenzie's 40 year career in football not only provides a fascinating insight into the life of the most charismatic footballer never to play for England but also reveals his view of the modern game. In an enjoyable trip down memory lane for the older fan or a vivid glimpse back in footballing history for the younger fan, McKenzie's maverick exploits on and off the pitch are sure to amuse. Whether he was hurdling a Mini for fun, working his magic on the pitch, engaging listeners in the Tosh 'n' Mac radio show in Merseyside or entertaining after-dinner audiences at corporate events, McKenzie's fun-loving character has always wowed the crowds. As the fans used to sing from terraces up and down the country, 'McKenzie is Magic!'

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23585 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-12
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

At last - a sporting autobiography at the right time!
How many times have we read a sporting autobiography that is simply too early in the person's career - Stevie Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Lewis Hamilton, Herschelle Gibbs, etc........... Nice, then, to read one which is released at an appropriate time - when that person has been through enough both in terms of his or her career and beyond to be mature enough to actually have something interesting to say! The last one, in my opinion, was Sir Bobby Robson's autobiography - well Duncan McKenzie story is the best since!

Sure, there are a couple of minor career "misrecollections" but there is enough to make it interesting. As an Evertonian, I found the behind-the-scenes facts / opinions fascinating, not just when Duncan was at Everton, but his experiences as one of the early stars to go to Europe with Anderlecht were incredibly interesting!

Times have changed since Duncan played, but with him being as relevant to the game now as he was then, albeit in a different role, I have no hesitancy recommending this book to any football fan.