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FOR THE BOYS IN THE ROYAL BLUE JERSEY

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Joey66 said:
Same here its full of interest biggest shock so far was Joe Harpers feelings to Billy Bingham
about half way through a fantastic read - great job by @alan ball ;)
hope it continues to sell well VFM for any blue the best thing is players who played cameo roles you seen and forgot about or older players you never seen top notch easy reading well prepared book;)
Click to expand...
Joe Harpers Freddie Starr story is ace Joeylollollol
 
Dario Terracotta said:
Joe Harpers Freddie Starr story is ace Joeylollollol
Click to expand...
Yes he had missed a pen the steak sandwiches loads of chips, no wonder he flopped, Bingham got slated by Gary Jones too on his tactics in that era we were boring very defensive - Bingham gets some stick fot being far too defensive hence the year he blew the chance of winning it!
Still reading the book by the way 3/4 the way through a must for all blues fans old and young a tribute to the author @alan ball ;)
 
Just got the book @alan ball, thanks mate.

Can't recommend it highly enough.

Lots of behind the scenes stuff you never knew ( well I didn't ) about the Famous...and not so Famous...and this is the purpose of the book, the insights are just a bonus.

But this is more than Interesting and little known facts and tales.
This is about helping the guys who, the only Gold Bentley they knew, was a dinky toy in a Christmas stocking.

Talking of Christmas...Christmas is coming, if you can, buy it for yourself...buy it for somebody else

Or if you're really 'kin minted - Do both.
 

Review of the book on the front page:

https://www.grandoldteam.com/2016/11/14/review-boys-royal-blue-jersey-steve-zocek/?wp-nocache=true


I don’t know Steve personally but I’ve seen him at plenty of away games over the years, and as Joe Royle says in his foreword, Steve has “more than just a fanatical support for his club; it is a marvellous obsession”.

In Steve’s own words, he’s a fan not a journalist and that’s the charm of the book. I’m probably of a similar age so with the exception of a few of his interviewees I can recall seeing them play in the Royal Blue of Everton.

The book is a collection of 50 interviews, arranged in alphabetical order. 49 are players, the other is a memorable interview with the daughter of Alan Ball, Steve’s hero. It’s a wonderful interview as it not only give information on Alan and football but an insight into his family life and perhaps most meaningfully the relationship between Bally, Everton and of course, us the fans - very enjoyable read.

It’s a book to pick your way through, for me I enjoyed going from one player to another based on my own preferences, I don’t think many will start with Alan Ainscow and read through in alphabetic order to George Wood.

There’s lots in the book I wasn’t aware of, personal insights from players, little nuggets of information that have come out in conversation. One thing that struck me is Steve’s knowledge of our club and the players themselves - forgive me for using the word but it’s phenomenal.

I’m not going to do any spoilers, other than mention my particular favourite stories featured the players in the mid/late 60’s playing under Harry Catterick.

Having said that this book is a great read for all ages, you don’t need to be in your 50’s or older to enjoy it. If you love Everton, and our history you’ll love the stories, and be in awe of Steve’s dedication.

The book is a must for Evertonians hungry to learn more of the greats (and some of the not so greats) who have pulled on the royal blue jersey. Even better that part of the proceeds of the book go direct to the Former Players’ Foundation.

I’ll leave you with 2 quotes from the book

“I...would have crawled on my hands and knees from Huddersfield to sign for Everton”

Ray Wilson (World Cup Winner)

“I have lived my dreams for playing for one of the best teams in the world”

John Bailey

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2eX09mH
 
The Esk said:
Review of the book on the front page:

https://www.grandoldteam.com/2016/11/14/review-boys-royal-blue-jersey-steve-zocek/?wp-nocache=true


I don’t know Steve personally but I’ve seen him at plenty of away games over the years, and as Joe Royle says in his foreword, Steve has “more than just a fanatical support for his club; it is a marvellous obsession”.

In Steve’s own words, he’s a fan not a journalist and that’s the charm of the book. I’m probably of a similar age so with the exception of a few of his interviewees I can recall seeing them play in the Royal Blue of Everton.

The book is a collection of 50 interviews, arranged in alphabetical order. 49 are players, the other is a memorable interview with the daughter of Alan Ball, Steve’s hero. It’s a wonderful interview as it not only give information on Alan and football but an insight into his family life and perhaps most meaningfully the relationship between Bally, Everton and of course, us the fans - very enjoyable read.

It’s a book to pick your way through, for me I enjoyed going from one player to another based on my own preferences, I don’t think many will start with Alan Ainscow and read through in alphabetic order to George Wood.

There’s lots in the book I wasn’t aware of, personal insights from players, little nuggets of information that have come out in conversation. One thing that struck me is Steve’s knowledge of our club and the players themselves - forgive me for using the word but it’s phenomenal.

I’m not going to do any spoilers, other than mention my particular favourite stories featured the players in the mid/late 60’s playing under Harry Catterick.

Having said that this book is a great read for all ages, you don’t need to be in your 50’s or older to enjoy it. If you love Everton, and our history you’ll love the stories, and be in awe of Steve’s dedication.

The book is a must for Evertonians hungry to learn more of the greats (and some of the not so greats) who have pulled on the royal blue jersey. Even better that part of the proceeds of the book go direct to the Former Players’ Foundation.

I’ll leave you with 2 quotes from the book

“I...would have crawled on my hands and knees from Huddersfield to sign for Everton”

Ray Wilson (World Cup Winner)

“I have lived my dreams for playing for one of the best teams in the world”

John Bailey

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2eX09mH
Click to expand...
Fipping heck, I'm lost for words. I'm doing a book signing in St Lukes before the Swansea game on Saturday. If anyone buys the book, it would be better to buy direct from me as there is more profit that will go to the former players foundation as Amazon I believe take a cut. Thanks for your kind comments fellas.
 
alan ball said:
Fipping heck, I'm lost for words. I'm doing a book signing in St Lukes before the Swansea game on Saturday. If anyone buys the book, it would be better to buy direct from me as there is more profit that will go to the former players foundation as Amazon I believe take a cut. Thanks for your kind comments fellas.
Click to expand...

Cheers Steve, I really enjoyed the book, as I said picking players out one by one, rather than in alphabetical order. It must have been areal labour of love, clearly a huge amount of work - great stuff mate.
 

The Esk said:
Review of the book on the front page:

https://www.grandoldteam.com/2016/11/14/review-boys-royal-blue-jersey-steve-zocek/?wp-nocache=true


I don’t know Steve personally but I’ve seen him at plenty of away games over the years, and as Joe Royle says in his foreword, Steve has “more than just a fanatical support for his club; it is a marvellous obsession”.

In Steve’s own words, he’s a fan not a journalist and that’s the charm of the book. I’m probably of a similar age so with the exception of a few of his interviewees I can recall seeing them play in the Royal Blue of Everton.

The book is a collection of 50 interviews, arranged in alphabetical order. 49 are players, the other is a memorable interview with the daughter of Alan Ball, Steve’s hero. It’s a wonderful interview as it not only give information on Alan and football but an insight into his family life and perhaps most meaningfully the relationship between Bally, Everton and of course, us the fans - very enjoyable read.

It’s a book to pick your way through, for me I enjoyed going from one player to another based on my own preferences, I don’t think many will start with Alan Ainscow and read through in alphabetic order to George Wood.

There’s lots in the book I wasn’t aware of, personal insights from players, little nuggets of information that have come out in conversation. One thing that struck me is Steve’s knowledge of our club and the players themselves - forgive me for using the word but it’s phenomenal.

I’m not going to do any spoilers, other than mention my particular favourite stories featured the players in the mid/late 60’s playing under Harry Catterick.

Having said that this book is a great read for all ages, you don’t need to be in your 50’s or older to enjoy it. If you love Everton, and our history you’ll love the stories, and be in awe of Steve’s dedication.

The book is a must for Evertonians hungry to learn more of the greats (and some of the not so greats) who have pulled on the royal blue jersey. Even better that part of the proceeds of the book go direct to the Former Players’ Foundation.

I’ll leave you with 2 quotes from the book

“I...would have crawled on my hands and knees from Huddersfield to sign for Everton”

Ray Wilson (World Cup Winner)

“I have lived my dreams for playing for one of the best teams in the world”

John Bailey

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2eX09mH
Click to expand...
Great review. Can't disagree with any of it, including the chosen reading method.
 

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