Product Description

Jimmy Armfield made his debut for Blackpool in 1954. Combining along the right flank with Stanley Matthews, they were the Gary Neville and David Beckham of their era. Armfield recalls playing alongside the greats of the 1950s and 1960s for club and country. He tells of the pressures of his brief period in football management, before he moved on to journalism and commentary. Such is the respect in which all in the game hold him, that when the FA was looking for a new England manager, twice in the 1990s they turned to him to find the best choice. After more than 50 years in the game, Armfield has a fund of brilliant stories to tell and a unique insight into football at all levels; this book is the result.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #241585 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Phil Shaw, Independent
'[Armfield's] blend of sharp judgement and effortless geniality works as well in print as on air'

Review
'An absorbing account of a multifarious life...One of the nicest biographies of recent months' (Rick Broadbent, The Times )

'[Armfield's] blend of sharp judgement and effortless geniality works as well in print as on air' (Phil Shaw, Independent )

Joe Lovejoy, Sunday Times
'[Jimmy Armfield] has a remarkable story to tell and tells it well...Authoritative and engaging...Buy the book, you'll love it.'

Customer Reviews

A Fantastic Read
Quite simply one of the best books I have read in recent years.

As well as delivering a fascinating account of Jimmy's rich and varied life, his adventures and his friends along the way, the book also gives a superb overview of English football and the way it has developed since the Second World War.

As a lifelong Blackpool fan, the chapters on the club gave me a fresh perspective on the institution to which I pledge my hopes and dreams every Saturday, but perhaps the jewel in the crown is the chapter devoted to Sir Stanley Matthews, whom Jimmy was fortunate enough to play behind for a number of years.

The tone of the book reflects Jimmy's amiable but straight-talking character perfectly, and his wonderfully descriptive prose had me transported to places and times gone long before I was even born.

In short, an absolute must for any serious football fan, though also a quality read that transcends beyond the beautiful game and will entertain anyone leafing through its pages.