by Harbinger
I shall begin this review on a serious note (very unlike me I know). March has been a bad month for football, it has signalled the deaths of two great men of the game, one well knowen the other less so. Firstly on the 3rd Keith Alexander, who had been the first Black manager in the football league, died whilst still manager of Macclesfield Town. Secondly on a more personal note Tony Richards on the 4th. Tony Richards who played for Walsall (my team), between 1954 and 1963. He scored 185 goals in 334 appearances and in 2000 was voted the best player to have ever played for Walsall. I had contemplated doing a book by a Walsall player and this made me determined to do so.
Chris Marsh, has got to be one of the most popular footballers to play for Walsall not so much for his talents but for being a character. He joined Walsall in 1986 as a trainee before leaving in 2001. During that time made over 450 appearances, putting him in the top ten of all time appearance makers. He also took part in 3 promotion seasons in 1995, 1999 and 2001. A true Black Country lad, born in Dudley, who literally played in every position for Walsall (he even played in goal once or twice). However, one of the things he will always be remembered for is being one of the biggest practical jokers in the sport. His book very much conveys his personality, colourful, lively and funny. It has pages and pages of wonderful anecdotes, especially the infamous incident in which 'Marshy' stole the team coach in an attempt to cheer up his team mates. However, the manager did not find it quite so funny. I loved the stories about his battle of wills with the then manager Ray Graydon, who was a strict disciplinarian. Graydon marked Marsh out as a bit of a trouble maker (I wonder what gave him that idea), and was sometimes disappointed when he could not pin the blame for a particular incident on Marsh.
However his story has a poignant side to it. Marsh relates his battles with alcohol in a really heart felt way and lifts the lid on a culture of alcohol and gambling addictions that have mostly disappeared (thankfully) from the game now. He indicates the the problem of
alcohol began when he missed a dream move to Liverpool after suffering a serious injury. He tells the sad story of how alcohol cost him his first marriage and his struggle to find work after retirement form the game in 2003. He makes interesting contrasts between, some of his colleagues who went to the top of the game and players who remained at his level.
alcohol began when he missed a dream move to Liverpool after suffering a serious injury. He tells the sad story of how alcohol cost him his first marriage and his struggle to find work after retirement form the game in 2003. He makes interesting contrasts between, some of his colleagues who went to the top of the game and players who remained at his level. All in all a charmingly written book made all the better, because it is signed by three of my favorite players Chris Marsh (obviously), Dean Keats and Darren Wrack. All I can say is thanks to a footballer who gave me and a lot of other Walsall fans pleasure. I especially miss Marsh's one and only trick the 'step over', Christiano Ronaldo eat your heart out!!
TTFN
10 comments:
Football on Un:Bound?! is this a punishment for you still not having your presents? ;p
I seem to remember a certain sister-in-law doing a book on football. Besides if I had wanted to punish you i could have been more imaginative. I have plenty of books with titles like, 'Imperialism and Postcolonialism' or how about 'An Intellectual History of Modern Europe.'?
*raises eyebrow* that was a book of photography which included some very beautiful men in the rain. There were very nearly no words so it doesn't count. *ahem*
You know I can delete posts right? :p
Will be good if you boys come down next weekend as I am away and your pressies are here and are very cool!
Staring at all the men in the book were we? tut tut
I certainly hope we can come down, but Phil was ill, honestly he is so delicate.
yeah I know, such delicate flowers in your family, good thing we are more robust. ;)
I did hear of their deaths - sad times...
I am not a big football fan ***no tossing any sharp missiles at me**.. but I see my boys craze for it..
So I hear it in the background of my home...
Alcohol and gambling - is a problem in sports in general - a tribute to Chris and is strenght to tell all and let the public see the challenges that goes hand in hand with the fame...
Cool intro to someone new to me...
Thank you..
Football on Unbound - What will you guys think of next..
E.H>
I'm thinking perhas Geek Monkey should review a dummies guide to baseball or NBA? Perhaps a history of Dart's and it's relationship with drinking or a gripping expose on the sex life of rabbits. ;)
Hmm, I feel a contest coming on....
In fairness EH, Chris' popularity is limited really to the Black country. He was never paid anywhere near the kind of money players in the premiership get, which i why he had to find work after he retired. But it is interesting to hear stories form the lower leauges.
Hagelrat, well you could do the rabbit thing.
Count me in for reviewing anything - weird or imaginary - you'd like. If you look back at some of my reviews I've reviewed books of essays, photography books, and plan on doing a lot more.
Harbinger - great post, BTW!
Hey thanks Chris! I aim to please.
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