Product Description

When Niall Quinn learned he was going to the 2002 World Cup with Ireland, it seemed the perfect climax to his international career. Yet even before the competition had started, Quinn was caught up in the most emotionally draining events of his career, as Ireland's World Cup campaign was rocked by Roy Keane's sudden departure. All his efforts at mediation failed, leaving him exhausted. As he worked to find a solution, Quinn looked back on his life and career, and saw echoes of his current situation. In this fascinating autobiography, updated for this edition, he recalls the all-night drinking sessions with Tony Adams and Paul Merson, the gambling, the good times and the bad. It is a remarkable story, brilliantly told. (20021124)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #166609 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Glenn Moore, Independent
'Honestly written, with many revealing anecdotes ... it is all there, including a sense of guilt at his good fortune'

Review
'A book that sets a new template for what football autobiographies should be ... Every sentence in this book is beautfully crafted.' (Paul Howard, Sunday Tribune 20021207)

'A magnificent autobiography, candid, funny and occasionally lyrical... Quinn...is a big man in every sense' (Jonathan Wilson, FourFourTwo )

'It is possibly the best [of the William Hill shortlisted books]' (Will Buckley, Observer )

'Thoughtful, funny, nostalgic, occasionally poignant' (Tommy Conlon, Sunday Independent )

'A lively and thought-provoking autobiography' (Sarah Edworthy, Daily Telegraph )

'My vote [for the William Hill prize] might have gone to the only ghosted autobiography on the list... Brilliantly constructed.' (Simon Barnes, The Times )

'Splendidly informative ... Reading like a bar-room anecdote, the veteran footballer's book is near-poetic at times but also insanely funny' (Kate Battersby, Evening Standard )

'[A] marvellous autobiography' (Ronan McGreevy, Irish Post )

'Full of ironies, self-awareness and even jokes' (Simon Barnes, The Times )

'Honestly written, with many revealing anecdotes ... it is all there, including a sense of guilt at his good fortune' (Glenn Moore, Independent )

'Skilfully interweaves Quinn's career with an ongoing essay describing how it effectively ended ... If a league of drinkers were ever compiled, his name would be up there, ahead of such notorious boozers as Tony Adams and Paul Merson' (Alan Patullo, Scotsman )

Ronan McGreevy, Irish Post
'[A] marvellous autobiography'

Customer Reviews

The Mighty Quinn
Niall Quinn has produced a skilfully crafted account of his life as a professional footballer with additional spice added with a frank and revealing reflection on the Roy Keane's World Cup exit. It is not the standard fare footballer's biography of monotonous regurgitation of score lines.
It is a witty, cleverly written reflection from one of footballs Mr Nice guys.
As one of the main protagonists in the Roy Keane affair, Quinn's insight will be welcomed by all those interested in a balanced view of the episode.
It is a real story, told honesty and with charm, that will, shock you, make you will laugh out loud but overall make you wish for more.

compulsive stuff
Very good read and a lesson in the way that football has chnaged over the last 20 years. I bought the book mainly to read about the Man City years but found everything in it very interesting. Quinn comes across as a likeable character with a great attitude to life. Anyone interested in the Roy Keane affair and the 2002 World Cup will find it fascinating.
There are some great annecdotes (well I found them great but my wife didn't understand what I was reading her !) especially about his drinking. A warning - if Quinny ever invites you out for a drink don't go if you have got anything to do in the next three days. Just ask Tony Adams !
It appears that he wrote it himself. I couldn't see any mention of a ghost writer which for a sports book makes it even more refreshing.

Niall Quinn: the Autobiography
Niall Quin has produced a skilfully crafted account of his life as a professional footballer with additional spice added with a frank and revealing reflection on the Roy Keane's World Cup exit. It is not the standard fare footballer's biography of monotonous regurgitation of score lines.
It is a witty, cleverly written reflection from one of footballs Mr Nice guys.
As one of the main protagonists in the Roy Keane affair, Quinn's insight will be welcomed by all those interested in a balanced view of the episode.
It is a real story, told honesty and with charm, that will, shock you, make you will laugh out loud but overall make you wish for more.