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Back From the Brink: The Autobiography
by
Paul Mcgrath
The autobiography of this Irish soccer player is not a football story but a human story that goes from a hard, hidden childhood in Dublin’s orphanages to a public struggle with alcoholism and a life lived on the edge of chaos.
Paperback
,
464 pages
Published
October 24th 2006
by Century
(first published 2006)
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Community Reviews
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This is remarkable. For those of you who don’t know, Paul McGrath played at centre back for Manchester United and Aston Villa in the 80’s and 90’s, and for Ireland at numerous international tournaments in the same period. At the 1990 World Cup, he was voted into the team of the tournament. Whilst playing for Villa, he was voted supporters’ player of the year four years running, and PFA Footballer of the Year in 1997. McGrath was one of the best players of his generation, someone who made the gam
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I knew Paul McGrath had a reputation, but never really realized his situation was as bad as it was. I was maybe too young to see the issues he had at the time, but reading the book, I can relate to a number of issues Paul explains, as my old man had a similar background growing up and ended up dying due to alcohol abuse.
It is a great insight into the mind of the person with the problem, which I never had before as my old man was a closed book, so to speak.
A great read and Paul seems a great guy. ...more
It is a great insight into the mind of the person with the problem, which I never had before as my old man was a closed book, so to speak.
A great read and Paul seems a great guy. ...more
I was aware of Paul McGrath's reputation before I picked this book up: great footballer, but a drink problem which was never deeply hidden.
Anyone (I hope) would admire his unflinching and candid writing here. There are no attempts to gloss over the dreadful things that happened and no excuses provided.
I was unaware of his troubled background and childhood before I started reading, and that part of the book makes for particularly uncomfortable reading, but these are tales from a dark and differen ...more
Anyone (I hope) would admire his unflinching and candid writing here. There are no attempts to gloss over the dreadful things that happened and no excuses provided.
I was unaware of his troubled background and childhood before I started reading, and that part of the book makes for particularly uncomfortable reading, but these are tales from a dark and differen ...more
Aug 22, 2015
Dominika Kaníková
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
2015
,
read-in-english
From the beginning i knew that this book will receive five stars. At first, when i saw the cover i thought that maybe this will not be my cup of tea because to be honest i m not a big fan of soccer so i hoped that this will not be a description of his game tactics or something like that but this was great story that kept me interested the whole time. This book is about him struggling with alcohol, problems in relationship and of course his football career. Nice reading.
i met Paul recently and had my copy signed. For any Irish patriot this guy is amazing i person as portrayed in the autobiography. Going from a steel worker to being world famous professional footballer woth many demons in his closet...this is a tough read should you try put yourself in his shoes but definitely well worth a read for every football fan.
An extraordinary memoir, one of the most painfully honest I have ever read. So honest it's difficult to read at times. Who should read this ? Anyone who is Irish and has ever kicked a ball for pleasure or watched people kick a ball for pleasure, that's who.
An in-depth account of Paul McGrath's life as well as his football career. He was a beast on the football pitch, but his life off it was not as successful. Very interesting, but suffers due to being poorly ghostwritten.
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awesome story - read and re-read this book over and over again
i am an aston villa fan and he is a legend on the field and a troubled man off it
i cry every time i read it
so so honest
i am an aston villa fan and he is a legend on the field and a troubled man off it
i cry every time i read it
so so honest
The amazing life story of one of my heroes growing up. Very harrowing and amazing what he achieved once you learn about his history. A must-read for any football fans.
Despite being a massive football fans I rarely read football books, particularly biogs, as they are rarely insightful or interesting. That said I was motivated to read McGrath’s autobiography as I knew he had a story beyond there mere world of football. I just didn’t realise how much of a story he had to tell!
From day one his story is compelling, tragic and unique. I mean, how many kids at an orphanage get to spend weekends with their mum? I was aware that he was an alcoholic and that he’d even ...more
From day one his story is compelling, tragic and unique. I mean, how many kids at an orphanage get to spend weekends with their mum? I was aware that he was an alcoholic and that he’d even ...more
As a fan of Derby County, and as Paul McGrath played for us during the latter stages of his football career, I was particularly interested to read this book. The personal problems the player suffered are very well documented here and given he was such a wonderfully gifted footballer, I couldn't help but wonder how much more he could have achieved all things being equal. It wasn't an easy read but written with a searing honesty.
Best sports book I ever read. A gifted sportsman with a real battle in life
Along with the bio on Clough, and Adams autobio, this is one of the best soccer books you could pick up. A remarkable life, a remarkably candid account of McGrath's greatness, his vulnerability, his (by his own admission) stupidity. But one thing we must never do is judge him, because few of us ever really understand alcoholism. If I've one criticism it's that the life account is not chronological and I think with sportsmen it needs to be so that their rise and fall can be followed more easily.
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One of the best footie autobiographies I've read to date.. amazing and detailed insight into this footballer growing up and the trials and tribulations of dealing with everyday life and what being a professional footballer brings with it.. If you only ever read one football autobiography then this is the one I'd recommend you read!
Paul McGrath - Unwanted child, extremely tough upbringing, international footballer, hopeless alcoholic; a human tale detailing the life of Paul McGrath up til he retired from playing football. The book recounts both his football highs, his alcoholic binges and makes the reader sympathise with him and wonder how he played so well at a high level for so long. A candid account telling how he was most courageous for 90 mins per week and yet he was devoid of any courage to face his (not inconsiderab
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I read this book at Christmas. I found it very depressing in parts and felt sorry for paul for the terrible time that he endured in the Orphanage in Dublin in the early part of his life. I didn't realise that he was injured during the Ireland V Italy game in the Giants Stadium in New York. Great Player..
One of my favourite autobiographies. Many Birmingham City fans won't read this because of who he is. But I really enjoyed this as there was a story behind it.
He was & still is a hero in the stands at Villa Park & in this book he didn't hold back with what he went through & the demons he had to face.
He was & still is a hero in the stands at Villa Park & in this book he didn't hold back with what he went through & the demons he had to face.
Great book, feel admiration and pity at the same time, true legend, but frightingly shy and yet a different person on a football field.
A great player, but a story of his life that is just incredible.A well written autobiography that brought a grown man to tears. As a Villa fan I loved the great Paul McGrath but never knew the hardship he had suffered. It is a story that just has to be read.
Jun 15, 2009
Breandan
added it
Used to play soccer with paul at dalkey united in 1980/1981...did not realise that his life was in such turmoil..
Certainly a testament to him, his family and all the people that looked out for him during his life..
Certainly a testament to him, his family and all the people that looked out for him during his life..
The man they called God.. Frightening, nearly put me off the drink. The bits from his youth are especially good/feckin tragic. He's from the same place as me and the descriptions of the places and heads are spot on.
Excellent. Paul McGrath was a great footballer, but he battled severe drinking problems. We learn a lot about his childhood in orhanages and how it was growing up as the only black person that people knew.
What a boozehound. Sip on a double Domestos with a splash of Southern Comfort, while you savour this sobering tale of Paul McGrath, the unhinged football legend.
Compulsive reading,
Paul was a God on the pitch, it's amazing to read the turmoil that was going on behind the football.
Keep Well :)
Paul was a God on the pitch, it's amazing to read the turmoil that was going on behind the football.
Keep Well :)
Heartbreaking. Every time Paul reaches a fork in the road, he panics and chooses the wrong path.
Engaging lift story of an Irish footballer battling with alcoholism and inner demons.
Brilliant book, it's the best autobiography I have read so far!
hell of a player ....hell of a life ...good luck paul
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