Picked this up from the Nag's Head with the intention of passing it on to a mate who supports one of the clubs McGrath played for. However, I had a quick look at it and I may well read it before I send it on to him after all.

OK, let's be clear here. I don't like Paul McGrath. He spent a good chunk of his career playing for a team I loathe, so he was never going to be one of my favourite footballers. That said, this book is a pretty incredible read. McGrath's childhood in care, his breakdowns and his struggles with alcohol are all detailed here, probably moreso than the football he played. In fact, when you consider what he was putting himself through, it's amazing that he ever managed to get on to a football pitch, let alone put in the kind of performances that made him one of the Premiership's most respected defenders and an international star for Ireland. It's a starkly honest book in which the author and subject doesn't try to excuse or explain away his behaviour. It's also littered with commentary from those who managed, played with or just knew McGrath which helps give a more rounded picture (particularly when they are recounting events that McGrath himself simply cannot recall).

I have to admit, this book really surprised me. I knew McGrath had a problem with booze, but I had no inkling as to how serious it was. Considering my knee-jerk dislike for him, the fact that I read this from cover to cover shows what a fascinating book it was.

Sent to a friend.