Product Description

Gary Neville is one of Manchester United's most experienced players, making his senior debut for the club in the UEFA cup in 1992, he has worked the right side of Old Trafford tirelessly for the past 14 years. Starting at the club as a schoolboy in 1991, he quickly cemented his position in what would prove to be Alex Ferguson's strongest ever team. Going on to help the side win the treble in 1999, Neville was a key part of the only English team ever to have achieved this remarkable feat. His determination in the tackle and consistency of passing, coupled with a turn of pace sufficient to keep up with the quickest strikers in the premiership have contributed to him making over 500 appearances for his club and 80 appearances for England where he has proved time and time again that he can compete with the world's top players. Taking over the captaincy from Roy Keane in the 2005/6 season, his commitment and hunger to bring silverware to Old Trafford has never been greater than it is now. Rarely injured, he is one of the club's most stalwart defenders. His famous long throw-ins have rattled defences the world over, as has his link up play with his midfield counterparts. On the pitch, he displays a 'never say die' attitude which has earned him respect from fans and from time to time admonishment from the F.A. This book tells the story of how something as simple as love for a football club turned a young boy into one of the most recognisable faces in world football.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84804 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-31
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

About the Author
Tom Oldfield is a freelance sports journalist specialising in football. He has written for several newspapers and magazines. This is his first book.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating Stuff
This is a great read, and a must for all United fans - of all the biographies of individual players I have read this is the most informative and readable by far. Buy it - and buy another one for a friend!

GN
If anyone wants to hear about what this book is like, contact me on 07741414141

Save the Forest!

Although this book has the advantage of not being an autobiography it suffers from not being much of a biography either. We learn that Neville has never had an agent, was less naturally gifted than his brother Phil, worked hard at his game, is an all round sportsman from a talented sporting family and has a place in Malta.

We also have confirmation that he does as he's told (not one to cross the manager), acts as a union rep., writes a Times column and is as one eyed as most other footballers. Unfortunately, we never learn much about him as a person. There are glimpses - the refusal of a benefit game to save overprice fans from forking out money, involvement in charity matters etc.,- but insufficient to be able to identify Gary Neville as a person.

When Stanley Matthews wrote his first autobiography "Back in Touch" he mentioned his father told him, "No fuss". This seems to have been Neville's approach to his association with Manchester United and its manager. Keep your head down and work hard which, in fairness, he did and has reaped rewards as a consequence.

Elsewhere Neville emerged as spokesman for the indefensible threat of the England players to strike in support of Rio Ferdinand when Ferdinand missed a drugs test. He still can't understand why the fans were annoyed. He had words of praise for Eriksson but showed no insight into the reasons for the former England Manager's failure.

Like many soccer players Neville fails to appreciate role models will be judged on how they present themselves on and off the field. In that respect he will never match the legendary status of Matthews or Finney (who appreciates how much Neville has put into his game and what a good team player he is).

But the most of the rest is pap. It's amazing how "devastated" Neville is when club colleagues miss the FA Cup Final, Ferdinand is banned for missing a drugs test and he breaks up with his girl friend. What he would feel when a real crisis arises is anyone's guess.

Neville is of the view that there is negative attitude towards the club but excuses United's failure to contest the F A Cup in 1999/2000 and doesn't mention the arrogance of those fans who suggested it was to give other clubs a chance!! Not the best way gain friends or influence people.

Manchester United fans will like the book, despite its failings, but soccer fans looking for something meaningful about today's game will be disappointed. Apparently, it was printed from wood grown in sustainable forests. It would have been better to have saved the forest in the first place.