Product Description

Colin Shindler recalls the problems of growing up in an Orthodox Jewish family in central Manchester in the 1950s and 1960s - as a Manchester City fan, permanently under the shadow of Manchester United.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45821 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 310 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
As a young Jewish boy growing up in Manchester, Colin Shindler learned early what it meant to be part of a minority. When a cruel twist of fate determined he support Manchester City, rather than their more consistently successful neighbours Manchester United, the youngster was doomed forever to live on the margins.

Manchester United Ruined My Life is a delightful, humourous look at what it meant to grow up in 1960s Jewish Manchester. Reconciled with rival fans only in summer, when both could sit peacefully side by side at the unimaginatively named "Old Trafford" ground of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Shindler will speak for many with his frustration at the marketing machine that is Manchester United plc. Pulling no punches--"When Alex Ferguson finally clears his desk, it is more likely to be at the request of the chairman of the Stock Exchange than the traditional choir of disaffected supporters"--he vents his fury at the unashamed commercialisaton of the game, the diasporic fan base (many of whom have never set foot inside England, never mind Old Trafford) and the feisty Scottish manager himself, with an obsession only true fans of the game will appreciate.

But more than just a sporting commentary lamenting the bygone Halcyon days of English soccer, Manchester United Ruined My Life is one little boy's story of his struggle to establish his identity among the challenges of religion, family and death. Shindler's prose is easy and accessible yet lyrical and evocative; there is no doubt his love for his city has endured. That this affection is somewhat rose-tinted, tinged with the distance a successful television career in London allows, takes nothing away from the book. Manchester United Ruined My Life is a commodity more valuable than Old Trafford shares--it is an enjoyable, highly readable, football book with real literary merit. Highly recommended for everyone who has ever sung "Stand Up, If You Hate Man U". --Lucie Naylor

Review
'This is a wonderful book ... It is also extremely funny' (Alan English, Sunday Times )

‘His prose ... is never less than sharp, smart and easy on the eye ... His writing is so attractive ... [I] would be thrilled to read more’ (Jim White, Guardian )

‘It is his childhood and absent friends that touch the rawest, universal nerve’ (Simon Garfield, Mail on Sunday )

‘Shindler’s art lies in conversational writing, and an ability to change gear deftly from humour to devotion and back through fanaticism to the black comedy of Manchester City’ (Howard Davies, The Times )

‘Shindler is both touching and convincing in his evocation of his formative years ... it’s skilful, entertaining and heading for the top of the league’ (Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail )

‘Evocative, funny-sad and warm-hearted’ (Michael Henderson, The Times )

‘Sits in the same class as Fever Pitch ... Shindler’s down-to-the-bone honesty also reminds us self-indulgence can be great entertainment’ (The Times )

‘This could still be the most important football book since Fever Pitch capturing, as it does, the delicious irony that caused City fans to fall into a soon to be legendary chorus of "Are you watching Macclesfield?"’ (Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News )

‘As an example of the inherent irrationality of sport, his account - part autobiography, part social disquisition - could hardly be bettered’ (Stuart Bathgate, Scotsman )

About the Author
Colin Shindler is a leading TV writer and producer. He was responsible for the series Lovejoy and Madson, as well as the film Buster, and won a BAFTA for his production of A Little Princess. His first book, Manchester United Ruined My Life, was a big bestseller and was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year prize; and his second, Fathers, Sons and Football, also hit the bestseller list. He is the author of two novels.

Customer Reviews

Glad I don't support 'em!
What we have here is a well written book documenting the rise, fall, rise, fall, rise a little bit then fall straight into division two Manchester City. Don't be fooled though as the book deals with more than sport and therein the book stumbles. Without sounding too unfeeling, I found that the middle section of the book about Shindler's mother dying and his loss of faith afterwards somewhat heavy reading. The books apex comes unsurprisingly when City win the league in '68, but no-one remembers because of Uniteds victory in the European Cup of the same year. And, as the author states himself, all of City's achievements have been overshadowed by their nearest neighbour this book is also overshadowed by Hornby's Fever-Pitch but is still nonetheless a very worthwhile read

This book has become part of my life. Thank you Colin!!
I haven't been able to put this book down and have started to read it for the second time. I hope that there will be a sequel. Colin Shindler is a superb author and he has put pen to paper and provided an unbiased opinion on what it is like to be a Man City Fan and why Man City have the best fans in the world.

The very title of the book has been selected to entice those masses that would have ignored it had it been titled "Manchester City shaped my life - thank's be to God".

It's good reading and is a must for any football fan, it's honest, funny and is a gem of a book.

A truly splendid read!
I enjoyed this form cover to cover. I grew up in the eighties supporting City and coming from Cheshire, so rants aside about Lancashire (Red) V Cheshire (Blue), this book although 20 years previous to my experience made me feel liek City have always been the same. Excellent. Only other let down was the title. "Manchester United ruined" , would have been better... we can only hope.....