Autobiographies

As a very young boy, Gary Mabbutt scored the first goal I ever saw and became my first "hero". When he wrote his biography, my Mum went and queued for him to sign it with a personal message to me. Much later, I gave it to a friend who then moved, we lost contact and I never got the book back.

While Mabbs got the first goal I ever saw, my Mum's last goal was Sammy Igoe's worm burner at Wembley (and a big two fingers to the Big C!). She did saw Gary play at Eastville (for Spurs!!) to keep up her average of 3 games a decade since the 50's - yeah, she was a bit of a glory hunter - generally promotion clinchers, big Cup games, or Wembley!

Quite a few months ago, me and my Mrs was discussing heroes (well the often debated which three quests would you like to have dinner with). My very youthful self would have said Gary Mabbutt, Archie Stephens and Ian Botham. The task to name just three famous people would be more difficult now, but would probably be Mohammed Ali, Nelson Mandela and either Strummer/Lydon or Henry Rollins. Stephen Fry would be butler to add his numerous anecdotes between courses.  Rollins is not so famous in Punk circles, but if you ever want to hear a man "hold a room" for several hours, you will find it difficult to meet someone so thought provoking, humorous and intelligent.) I have not ever seen him (only a few interviews on TV), but a friend said when he saw him at a spoken tour, he captivated the whole of the venue, which is some mean task. ( My Mrs wanted Jon Bon Jovi, Patrick Swayze and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys - has anyone heard him say more than ten words since 1986!). Anyway I digress.

For my recent birthday my Mrs surprised me by remembering our conversation and by getting hold of a Gary Mabbutt second hand autobiography. Although I haven't seen the cover of the book for more than ten years, as soon as I ripped the front of the wrapping paper, I recognised it in an instant. In a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory moment, I held my breath and had to wait for a few seconds before looking at the inside cover, to see if fate how somehow delivered my Mum's and Gary's personalised messages back to me. Alas it was not to be, but it brought back many happy memories.

It got me thinking, what autobiographies would people like to see? Personally, I can't wait for Geoff Dunford's worts and all book of his time on the Board. That promises to be a real eye opener and will surely divide opinion.

My Rovers collection includes autobiographies by Larry Lloyd, Lenny Lawrence, Ollie and Harold and also the Geoff Bradford book, but I am sure that there would be demand for Gerry Francis, or Nigel Martyn (who would have believed his story - found by a tea lady, a £5 a week pay rise to become a pro footballer, his career almost ending after falling through a glass door, living in a flat above a shop in Staple Hill? and then a few years later, the first £1 million keeper, Man of the Match performances in Europe and an England international!  I don't think Hollywood would dream of such a far fetched story!

Maybe Rickie Lambert has missed the boat, as after his debut goal v Scotland he could have done the Vardy, Rags to Riches book thing but which other ex players would we like to see put their stories in print?