JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR
My books
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENS - A fascinating look behind the facts and fiction of the five men who have worn Manchester United’s No 7 shirt with the most distinction. With the help of players, journalists and a psychologist, I analyse what made Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo tick and assess their credentials for a permanent place in the Old Trafford hall of fame. I look at how ten years after the tragedy, Best finally ripped away the cobwebs of Munich by winning the European Cup almost single-handedly for United; how Robson battled manfully to lift United at a time when they were mired in mediocrity; how Cantona turned the club back into winners after that long, dismal spell in the wilderness; how Beckham's stardust led to the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's personal holy grail with that audacious European Cup win in 1999, and how Ronaldo has offered hope and glitter to a United in transition. This is the full, no holds barred story of United's own Magnificent Sevens - the good, the bad and the ugly.
ISBN No: 1844544354
ROY KEANE: RED MAN WALKING - On June 12, 2006, in a move that shocked his legions of fans at Celtic and Manchester United, Roy Keane announced his retirement from football. Keane claimed the decision was forced on him by a hip injury, but was that the real story? The news was greeted with a storm of speculation, and some suggested he had left the Old Firm giants after a series of bust-ups with manager Gordon Strachan. Others claimed he had never got over his abrupt departure from Manchester United the previous November. I go behind the headlines to reveal the real Roy Keane. With the help of those who know Keane best, I build up an illuminating picture of what makes this complex man tick and lay bare his inner demons.
ISBN No: 9781845961732
LEWIS HAMILTON: CHAMPION OF THE WORLD - THE BIOGRAPHY - Thrown in at the deep end “on a mighty whim” by McLaren F1 team owner Ron Dennis, Lewis Hamilton became world champion in only his second season. With behind-the-scenes insight into the rivalry between Hamilton and his team mate Fernando Alonso, this is story of the boy from a council estate who proves fairytales do come true as he rose above his critics to become World Champion and British motorsport’s great new hope. ISBN No: 9781844545438
WAYNE ROONEY: SIMPLY RED/WORLD At HIS FEET - He’s the most talked-about young man in Britain, due to his undeniable footballing skills, record transfer fees and controversial off-the-field activities. But what is the real story behind the headlines and what makes the “boy wonder” tick? The debate has continued to rage over Wayne Rooney since he became the world's most expensive teenager after joining Manchester United for £27 million in 2004. Sir Alex Ferguson staked his reputation and his budget on the player, whose decision to leave Everton inspired vitriolic abuse and death threats from his former fans in Merseyside. So is Rooney the new Pele or rather heading for early burnout like George Best and Paul Gascoigne? Was the fee paid a small price to pay for the greatest young talent in the world or an obscene amount to spend on a teenager who could be destroyed by his own inner demons? This probing book reveals the dark machinations behind the deal that took Rooney from Goodison Park to Old Trafford., investigates the vicious hate campaign waged against the star, details his first bust-up with Ferguson and documents his part in the infamous tunnel row after the game against Arsenal on February 1, 2005. This book tells the full, explosive story of Wayne Rooney's rise to fame. It delves beneath the headlines and the scandal to build a portrait of Rooney's crazy life so far as a young football star.
ISBN No: 1840189797
CELTIC UNITED - Celtic and Manchester United – two giants of British football with amazing similarities between the clubs' fans and teams. The book is a vivid picture of the tragedies and triumphs that have befallen both, and looks at the altruistic intent behind their formation. I also discuss the reasons why United and Celtic became the first two British clubs to win the European Cup, how they have each had a brilliant but tragic star within their ranks (George Best and Jimmy Johnstone respectively) and analyse the work of the men who have played for and managed each club. Also given a voice in Celtic United are the fans who proudly swear allegiance to both teams. Rod Stewart, arguably their most famous fan, explains his affection for Celtic and United and describes how it came about that both teams feature in the lyrics of his song You're in my Heart. ISBN No:1845962761
‘The Manchester United star is brilliantly
analysed.’
– John Richardson, Sunday Express
‘A brilliant buy for football fans everywhere. The real story behind the headlines . . . gives some insight of what makes the boy wonder tick . . . the explosive tale of his rise to fame’
– The Sun
JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR