| Title | : | Tales from the Secret Footballer |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1783350083 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781783350087 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 256 |
| Publication | : | First published November 5, 2013 |
In his bestselling book, the Secret Footballer shocked the world with his no-holds-barred account of life as a professional footballer. His identity was never revealed. Now, in his new book, he gathers together the best stories he has heard during his career as a professional footballer.
These are stories of players, teams and tactics, banter, fights and escapades, yachts, champagne and girls. They belong to a side of football that most players wish to keep private - some take place on the pitch, but most are a long way from the glare of the TV cameras. But they have one thing in common: they all happened.
The identities of the players are protected, but few will be able to resist trying to guess who told them.
Tales from the Secret Footballer Reviews
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Not the strongest entry in The Secret Footballer series, it certainly feels like a follow up as the player probably wonders what subjects to tackle.
The majority of topics covered are pretty well known anyway, from transfer fees to players wages.
The amount of money swilling around the game can't be avoided, I personally think if anyone should see it then it should be the players themselves - so have no problem with the high wages as long as loyal supporters aren't been ripped off.
It's a job to them, of course they are going to sign lucrative contacts and have their own bills and mortgage to pay.
So I don't think TSF helps his cause by claiming fans are stupid when it comes to this issue, especially the lavish lifestyle they lead including perks of his stature in the game.
An antidote of how he managed to get VIP tickets for Tottenham's match in Milan is a perfect example. He boasts about who he bumped into during the evening and is gleeful having the best seats in the house, whilst the Spurs fans are 'up in the gods'.
That said the sections covering mental health are really interesting and it's important for players to open up, whilst they may seem (and say) the lifestyle is perfect it's important to remember that success and wealth doesn't equate to happiness. -
Kiedyś bardzo lubiłem takie historyjki z piłkarskiej szatni, teraz powoli zaczynają mnie nużyć. No bo ile można czytać o przygodach młodych milionerów w krótkich spodenkach, kopiących piłkę w Premiership?
Poza tym czuć, że Anonimowemu mniej więcej w połowie kończą się anegdotki, i zaczyna zamulać coś o kursach trenerskich, budowaniu drużyny, czy inwestowaniu pieniędzy i niby to ciekawe, ale jakoś tak po łebkach potraktowane.
Książkę ratują dwie rzeczy: dobre pióro Anonimowego (lub jego redaktora) oraz ostatni, osobisty rozdział o rodzinie i depresji. Czy warto? Audiobook trwał pięć godzin z hakiem (papier 248 stron) i jeśli potrzebujecie zapchać uszy czymś niezobowiązującym, to nie tyle warto, co można. 5/10. -
Après m'être procuré le premier tome que j’ai littéralement dévoré (5/5), je me devais de prendre le deuxième tome.
Comme le premier tome, je l'ai dévoré. J'ai adoré me replonger dans l'envers du décor du football.
Petit bémol cependant, j'ai trouvé que dans ce tome le joueur semblait plus "arrogant" que dans le premier, et les passages « scientifiques » m'ont vraiment ennuyé, d'où le 4/5. -
Nothing outside the box. For someone who appreciates football, this book is just a standard analysation of everything we already know about football, featuring some extra Barcelona suck up. An ex Man United player wrote this book, without a doubt.
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The second in the series from The Secret Footballer, the high spots of this book, as well as the usual anecdotal tales of high jinx, are his take on where technology and football could converge, particularly in spotting talent, giving real time coaching and in injury prevention and treatment; the inner dealings of the business side of football - there's a lot more to a transfer than just the fee, the signing on sum and the wages; and a lot more insight into his struggles with mental health.
These parts, especially the latter one, take us to places you never think a "football" book will take you - but still the question remains - is this really the work of a slightly cynical footballer, or a synthesis of ideas put together by a clever journalist?
Who knows - but it's still an interesting enough read for any sports fan, so I'll be picking up the next in the series very soon! -
With the World Cup finals drawing to a conclusion it seemed quite apt that I was reading a renowned book that offered a behind the scenes insight into the world of professional football. The 'secrecy' and claims to that effect could have been a fantastic opportunity to open the lid of what goes on in the most lucrative sport on the planet but unfortunately for me didn't quite cut the mustard, or the proverbial 'blasted over the bar' chance. Admittedly this is the second installment which is always a risk, but it seemed like it was written as an anonymous biography, and a poor one at that, rather than a expose!
It's got enough going on to finish it but not a great deal more! -
Once again the story is not very cohesive but it can still make for an interesting read. The Secret Footballer has hired good editors and book never gets boring. Although some stories smell of bragging, the other are often very insightful. Manily the chapters on depression, which are extraordinary and add another dimension to the whole story of an intelligent footballer that opened the door we were not able to see through.
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As with the previous book of his I've read - a fun, illuminating peek behind the curtain of being a professional footballer in the Premier League. I especially liked the story at the end of the book about his kid starting to play.
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Reasonable little book. A bit dated in places but some humour too . A quick read if you are interested in football.
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Another great read from the secret footballer, wasnt as good as the 1st one but still a cracking read
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An okay insight. Reckon it's Dave Kitson.
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Who is the secret footballer? Well that is a question on many peoples lip in fact only a handful of people know his identity although in his latest book "Tales from the secret footballer" he drops plenty of clues for the reader to uncover the identity of TSF.
The book is frank look inside the mind of a professional footballer, and the issues of the modern game, the book also focuses on the possible different career paths a player can take after his playing days are over .TSF uses some of his friends to help him discuss the big issues of the game.
If you haven't already read "I am the secret footballer" I urge you too then read this book but be aware disregard everything you think you know about professional footballers. -
I'd heard a lot about The Secret Footballer, but never actually read anything by him. So I thought seeing this cheap, it was worth dipping my toe into the water. It turned out to be very tepid, and neither a jolt to the system or comforting.
I found the secret element annoying after a few pages. I get it, you can't reveal who you are for fear of repercussions, but I have the ability to retain that information for more than two pages.
There are a few interesting insights into the world of football, but there's a lot of self congratulatory waffle in here too.
I was left a little disappointed ultimately. -
It's midly interesting to read a footballer who's not spouting the usual banalities, but in the end he doesn't reveal anything that I didn't suspect already. The writing is what you would expect from someone who's both untrained and not a happy man. That, and the combination of him playing for teams I don't care about, and him not being able to name names meant that I skipped whole chapters.
The above is the review I wrote for his first book, and it works here too. His books are pretty interchangeable to be honest. I only hope that it spawns a new genre and later on we'll get Rooney's or Terry's version of it... -
Fun little taste of life in the English Premier League (English Football). The concealing of the authors identity is part of the fun. The intelligence and depth of this individual is impressive since you mostly see only the physical and emotional characteristics of these professionals, I don't often consider much about the personal and business life of these types of celebrities.
Well written, insightful, entertaining and I hope the writer maintains anonymity so he doesn't loose his power to be honest. -
Tales from the Secret Football (2013) is the follow up to the 2012 book I am the Secret Footballer. The book is a collection of newer columns from the writer about the inside world of football.
This time the book looks more at the author’s depression and options for an aging player to continue making money.
The book is not nearly as strong as the previous one. It’s not terrible and if you have read the first and enjoyed reading that it might be worth reading. -
For anyone interested in the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of professional football.
As a lifelong football fan who had stumbled across previous articles written by The Secret Footballer, finding that a local bookstore in Canada had this in stock was a treat.
Having not read the first, it was no impediment to enjoying this book but furthered the thought that I should have purchased both this and the first book before now. -
Frankly, the biggest downside of this book is that it's written anonymously. Trying to keep the author's identity secret it gets a bit paranoid. It makes the book too general with all these 'a friend of my friend said'...
Although it's less about football than the first volume, it's a better read. -
As with the previous books it alternates between genuinely interesting insight on the game and rather self indulgent stories that would be better suited to the after dinner circuit (the boat story, for example). He is clearly intelligent but often comes across as rather too fond of himself. Still, despite its faults, it's way better than 99% of footballers books
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A good follow up to the first Secret Footballer one although perhaps he sounds am bit wearied in this. Still gives a spotlight on the ins and outs of the football business and a must read for anyone who doesn't want to rely on the back pages or fan message boards.
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Pretty much the same as the first Secret Footballer book, an entertaining short read but I found that he came across as far more arrogant than he did in book one. Although I suppose you have to have that arrogance and self belief about you to get to the top of a notoriously cut throat game.
