I have to say that this book was the most entertaining, as
well as informative, book on football I have read. It comes as no surprise that it was
shortlisted for the William Hill 'Sports Book of the Year' Award. If it didn't win, it
should have.
This account reveals, I suspect, a true perspective of life outside the top flight, and
lets face it, that’s where Burnley are. The trials and tribulations of the journeyman
footballer, something Nelson unashamedly admits to being, make for an excellent, amusing
and above all honest appraisal of football at that level. In the first few pages he warns
you to put the book aside if you're looking for the diary of a superstar. Clearly his
entries will strike a few chords in the Burnley dressing room.
Indeed the humour ranges from 'dressing room' to almost 'Firmoesque' at times,
particularly when tackling the subject of Fantasy Football Agents. Managers predictably
come in for a bit of stick too, but whether it be the Hillsborough debate or discussing
the amount of grease on the after match fish and chips, the intelligence of the writing
style shines through.
As the narrative charts the year coinciding with Burnley's brief flirtation with the
first division, it naturally contains accounts of the two fixtures against Charlton.
However Nelson demonstrates an unexpected appreciation of the situation in East Lancashire
with several more references to Burnley (I won't spoil it for you).
Above all, however, it is in the rumour laden atmosphere of the training ground where
Nelson's 'thirty-something striker' paranoia establishes this book as a true classic.
If he talks as good as he writes then surely there is a career in after dinner speaking
beckoning. Perhaps the next APFSCIL function. (Hey you have to start somewhere!) Besides,
despite hailing from Essex, he's a mad Evertonian.
Overall you can't lose with this book. It's great value at only £5.99 (paperback),
available as they say 'at all good bookshops'. Go and buy it.
