Who is Ronnie Matthews? After this read, you will know who he is and feel inspired by his humorous look at the modern day footballer.
This book goes inside the world of Ronnie Matthews, focusing around his no.1 love which is our beautiful game.
However, this isn’t your standard football book of honest autobiographies, endless statistics or testing quizzes.
This is a book of an author who definitely is thinking outside the box.
The author’s love for other aspects of life, such as art, fashion and philosophy are expressed and many of life’s biggest questions are examined.
Advised by Alan Tyers and Beach, the duo behind hilarious sporting books ‘CrickiLeaks’ and ‘W.G. Grace ate my Pedalo,' this book is full of humorous antidotes and for those who like a laugh when reading, then this is the perfect book.
It is easy to read, with a good flow and small segments about each aspect inside Ronnie’s world as a football legend.
Add in some funny illustrations and this is worth a read in comparison to some books that can drone on with chapters that can last 50 pages plus.
A captivating read
With 24 red cards in his career, frustrations with today’s press industry and 18 clubs represented (in the transfers section piece), Ronnie has certainly been around many places.
They range from Watford and Leeds United to two stints at Southampton and even a nightmare in Turkey with Trabzonspor which saw him, spend time in jail!
In this captivating read, Matthews reveals some humorous tales which include setting Lee Bowyer’s car on fire after training, the things you should and shouldn’t do in a football changing room and the charities he supports including Uncle Bongo’s World of Donkeys!
Harry Redknapp disliked him, as he sold him twice while Steve McClaren clearly had a soft spot as he capped Ronnie for England against the Faroe Islands. He got sent off by the way when playing for the Three Lions.
Other tales include the lows of his time in a Turkish jail cell, playing football in a false beard and taking partial credit for Arsene Wenger’s diet regime when he arrived at Arsenal.
It isn’t just football covered, with other aspects mentioned including money, religion, marriage and half-time.
Plus with mentions of the News of the World being closed down and Twitter superinjunctions, this book shows no sign of being kicked into touch as an out-of-date model.
Even the unpopular Eileen Drury gets a mention and that isn’t to do with Glenn Hoddle either!
"The first British player to be sent off for a professional foul on an animal"
An extract from the first chapter will show how much humour is behind this book:
“In 16 years of football, I’ve known incredible highs on the field. And incredible highs off it, too, before I got myself straightened out. Top moment? When I walked out at Wembley. My heart swelled just to be on the same pitch as those legends. Theakston, Ramsay, that guy who’s mates with Robbie Williams, Cheryl Baker in the Makelele role. I’d arrived. Sure, the call-up to Soccer Aid came at the 11th hour, but when Ronnie Matthews has a chance to do his bit for African kiddies AND hang with some of the biggest celebrities in Britain today; it’s very much a case of: have boots, will travel.
“Of course, there have been lows as well: injury, arrests, being told I was too fat to play for the Crawley Old Red Lion just 18 months after being capped for England. Rock bottom was my last game here before I moved to Turkey. Playing for Peterborough v Watford, a fox got on the pitch and was charging around all over the shop. It nicked the ball away from me just as I was going in for a 50-50 with Big Martin Taylor and I’ve ended up catching the fox two-footed. The ref had the red card out right away and I became the first British player to be sent off for a professional foul on an animal. Looking at the replays I still say the fox made a meal of the challenge.”
This extract shows the humour behind this handy-pocket sized book of wisdom, wit and humour. I can assure you it is a better buy than Chelsea’s purchase of Fernando Torres!
This book unlocks the secrets of happiness and inner calm as seen by one of the most interesting and colourful sportsmen of the 21st century.
Welcome to the world of Ronnie Matthews. Enjoy this read, it is well worth it.
I Kick Therefore I Am – The Little Book of Premier League Wisdom was published by Bloomsbury and is available on Amazon for £5.27 – RRP £7.99
Check out his website: www.ronniematthews.co.uk
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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