There was ‘Bobby Moore by the person who knew him best’ from his first wife Tina, ‘Farewell but not Goodbye’, the story of Sir Bobby Robson’s life and also ‘Fowler my Autobiography’ which charts the career of striker Robbie Fowler including his antics with Graeme Le Saux and his touchline snorting.
All three looked interesting reads about one of the best defenders I ever saw, a great manager and man as well as a Scouser who had the ability to score goals, yet next month they will be replaced and a more familiar face will greet me, that of a personal friend whose life is going into print, with the help of another friend.
The book is entitled ‘Willie Irvine, Together Again’ and will hit the bookshelves in October. It is a book that looks at the whole of Willie’s life and not just his time as a Claret or indeed a footballer.
Whether the book tells of the day he saw me walking past his house and he shouted for me to come in and watch an exciting European match on television, whilst his wife Rita took care of their three young children, I don’t know.
And what are the chances of him recalling the day I went into bat to see him stood at first slip, and him telling me that his eyes weren’t up to it any longer and he couldn’t pick up the ball? That was just before he took a blinding one handed catch to see me off before I’d troubled the scorers.
It will though tell me of his life as a youngster in
After that is his life following football leading to today when he is once again a very familiar figure around Turf Moor. It will be strange to see a friend’s face looking at me from the bookshelves but I know this book will be more than just the cover and I’ll be the first in the queue to get my copy.
You can still order your autographed and numbered advance copy of the book at the price of £22 from author Dave Thomas, of ‘It’s Burnley, not Barcelona’ and ‘No Nay Never’ fame.
These orders should be sent to Dave Thomas, 12 Moorland View, Rodley,