Phew, thank goodness I had no talent or coordination that would have led to a life of professional play. ( )

I picked this up using the kindle store during a quiet moment at work. I have been trying to vary what I am reading a bit more and also trying to read some more non-fiction at the moment. For some reason my fiction mojo is on the slide and I can't put my finger on why. I have read a few of the articles written by TSF (The Secret Footballer) and I always been impressed by the content and approach to opening the game up to the public.

There are a few things revealed in the book about football which I had no idea about despite being an avid fan for most of my life. One in particular that stood out was the revelation that as long as footballer doesn't ask for a transfer, if he is sold, he is due the remainder of the wages in his contract. This is often negotiated into a lower but still a tidy settlement figure. This means that player who moves a lot but not at their request like Robbie Keane has made huge amounts of money despite never being a mega star.

There are still somethings which sit really uneasily with me however. The behavior of modern footballers leaves a lot of to desired and although he isn't as bad as some TSF still seems to revel in telling his tales. While I understand the way he thinks of fans, as a fan its not a sentiment I like. It is very important that these things are included in the book though as it is a true account of being a modern footballer. The section on depression in the book however is worth reading it on its own. It clear that it is still something that TSF isn't hugely comfortable talking about. It also goes to show that it is still something that can be hidden very well, only the club doctor spotted the illness.

I have read many 5 star reviews for this book but I don't think that this is a great book. It's a decent read with some interesting insights but could have been better. It is well written though and some credit must be due to TSF for having the bravery to tackle these issues albeit anonymously. ( )

Short but sweet, very readable. Haven't read the column before but an excellent read as a book. ( )

The book is an absorbing read for anyone who follows football. It didn't take me very long to read it as some of the stories of TSF's career are incredibly interesting and do leave you wanting more.

Most interesting was his perception of the supporters in the stadium on match day and how there are certain elements of the tactical side of the game that only those who have played at a professional level. Also illuminating was TSF's battle with depression.

The book isn't perfect. Some of the tales of high-rolling footballers behaving poorly get a little tiresome and less shocking as the book goes on; possibly due to repetitive nature of some of them.

I found myself disagreeing with some of the opinions the author has at times but at least they open a debate so I can't complain too much about that.

There is even something of a twist at the end which adds an element of drama.

Overall this is an intelligently considered account of a world which is often beyond even the most ardent football fan's imagination. ( )

I enjoyed this insider's look into Premier League football, even if it is a bit outdated now. TSF is a thoughtful man, someone who wants more out of life than just a footballer's career, and I appreciated that. It gives him a different perspective on his career (one that, judging by GR reviews, is not fully appreciated by fans of the Premier League), because it allows him to put football into a larger context than "the best league in the world."

TSF had what appears to be a charmed rags-to-riches rise from a council estate to the top of professional football. He's no angel - he's paid dearly in financial terms for some of the shit his agent got him into - and he doesn't pretend to be. His struggles with depression ring true, and it hurt my heart to read that his groundbreaking column on mental health in the Guardian came out the same day of the news that Gary Speed had taken his own life. Talk about ugly coincidences :(

I did skip the Q&A with the agent because that was just a bunch of BS, but the rest of it was very interesting. I'd love to read his take on football today, especially in light of the huge historical abuse scandal. ( )