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‘After the Ball’ is Nobby Stiles’ account of a lifetime spent living and breathing football. Signed to Manchester United at the age of fifteen, he progressed to the England team, and had a starring role in the 1966 World Cup. He is one of only two Englishmen (Bobby Charlton is the other) to win both the World Cup and the European Cup.
After playing at the highest level, Nobby Stiles became a manager, then a youth coach at Old Trafford, where he dealt with the new United of Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and the Neville brothers. His appraisals of these players from this exciting period are revealed, as well as studies of unforgettable teammates such as George Best and Bobby Charlton.
This frank and entertaining autobiography celebrates the remarkable life of one of England’s most charismatic of players.
After playing at the highest level, Nobby Stiles became a manager, then a youth coach at Old Trafford, where he dealt with the new United of Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and the Neville brothers. His appraisals of these players from this exciting period are revealed, as well as studies of unforgettable teammates such as George Best and Bobby Charlton.
This frank and entertaining autobiography celebrates the remarkable life of one of England’s most charismatic of players.
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Reviews
The joyful 1966 World Cup-winning pinnacle of Nobby Stiles's fine career only masks the heartache, pain and battles that the little midfield terrier had to endure in a lifetime of knockbacks. Indeed, he could have called this excellent autobiography Against All Odds.
A classic of a burgeoning genre, due in no small part to Lawton's sympathetic marshalling of some wonderfully evocative material.
A captivating tale of a real football man, who had a hard fight to establish himself with Manchester United and in the national team.
A brilliant autobiography.
As football books go, this is one of the best I've read.