Overview

Garry Nelson is not one of football's household names yet he made almost 650 League appearances in a career stretching back to 1979. This book describes the 1994-5 season at Charlton Athletic but it could be any in which he reveals the ups and downs of what it is like to be an ordinary professional player. There are the injuries, the battles for selection, and the worries that age is catching up on him, which would mean the end of his career. But there are also the occasional triumphs, such as when he was appointed captain and scored the winning goal in a televised match. Written with wit, intelligence and insight, LEFT FOOT FORWARD reveals far more about what it is really like to be a footballer than any number of ghosted autobiographies by the big stars. It is destined to become a classic of football writing.

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9780747251828

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Reviews

'If your interest in professional athletes lies this side of idolatory, read it. Fear is Nelson's companion; fear lit with occasional shafts of relief. And that is what sport is about' -- Simon Barnes, The Times 'A very good read indeed' -- Brian Moore 'For all the glamour of your Giggsys, Nelson's season portrays a more accurate picture of what life is like for 99 per cent of pros' -- Amy Lawrence, FourFourTwo 'It should be compulsory reading for any ambitious parent intent upon their son playing professional football' -- Michael Parkinson, Daily Telegraph 'The most candid and compelling behind the scenes football book you'll come across' -- 90 Minutes 'He has produced a rarity: a book by a practising sportsman that seems to tell it like it really is, intelligently and engagingly' -- Independent on Sunday

At the age of 35, with 700 appearances for clubs such as Charlton, Plymouth and Brighton behind him, Nelson has earned the title 'journeyman footballer'. As a diarist, however, he deserves the star treatment. An amiable and likeable fellow, he is also refreshingly honest, and what we are presented with is a fascinating account of what football is like for the majority of professional players, those who do not star in Nike's latest cinematic opus. Thus, the joys of a first hat-trick (at his age), an away win in the Cup, or a run of six goals in six games, are balanced out against the fear of the free transfer, Hillsborough, the death of a young player, and the introduction of an agent whose intervention leaves everybody worse off but himself. Written with clarity and great humour, this was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Award. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Garry Nelson made his league debut for Southend in 1979-80 and went on to make around 650 league appearances for various football clubs before retiring from the game in 1997. He never played in the top division.

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