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Born to be a Footballer: My Autobiography

Shortlisted for the Eason Sports Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards

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Born to be a Footballer: My Autobiography

By: Liam Brady
Narrated by: Aidan Kelly, Liam Brady
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'A brilliant insight into Liam's life in football' - Kevin Moran

'Insightful, often joyous, and hugely entertaining. I loved it' - Roddy Doyle

'One of our country's great footballers, and definitely our most beautiful' - John Giles

Being a footballer was my destiny.

After being expelled from school for playing football for his country, fifteen-year-old Liam Brady travelled to London to join Arsenal, and soon became an indispensable part of their glorious 1970s team. Rightly considered one of the Republic of Ireland's best-ever footballers, he went on to enjoy successes with Juventus, Sampdoria and West Ham, as well as managing Celtic and Brighton and Hove, and becoming assistant manager of his national team. Today he is best known for his much-respected TV punditry and searingly intelligent insights into the game he adores.

Full of honest insights, amusing anecdotes and recollections of extraordinary times, with Born to be a Footballer Brady delivers a compelling story of a fifty-year career that is unparalleled in Irish sport. Football (American) Football (Soccer) Sports Biography Thought-Provoking England
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Critic reviews

'Once in a generation you find a most gifted and talented player. In my generation of the 70s and 80s that player was Liam Brady. This book is a brilliant insight into Liam's life in football. He is honest about his ups and downs and will bring back great memories for all of us who grew up in this era' (Kevin Moran)
'Any book about Liam Brady had better be good - and this one is very, very good. It is insightful, often joyous, and hugely entertaining. I loved it' (Roddy Doyle)
'One of our country's great footballers, and definitely our most beautiful' (John Giles)
'By any measure, an incredible life. And a book that more than does it justice' (Malachy Clerkin)
All stars
Most relevant
I’m an Irishman , and an Arsenal fan all my life and can relate to all that Liam talks about, a couple of years younger but I can remember most of what Liam talks about , it’s a must read

His Honesty about the football world

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One of the best sports books I have come across. Funny, insightful, nostalgic and emotional - a great story. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great story from start to finish

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It’s a walk down memory lane. I remember going out into the back garden after the 2-3 Man U Arsenal Final and grabbing the cuffs of my football shirt to emulate what I had just witnessed on the telly. What a game - and the knock around after wasn’t to bad either. I guess what I am saying is that for this 57 year old, first gen Irish, this was an emerald timeline, beautifully read and thoughtful. And insighful. I guess like he played, he’s written smart and kept us wanting more.

Emerald Soul

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Thanks Liam for a great story which was well written and delivered. While the narration was excellent, I would have preferred your own authentic voice as in the prelude and ending. Brought back many happy memories. I played against you once when I was in St Joseph's Sallynoggin. You were playing with St Kevin's as I remember it and you were a small skinny but outstanding player (under 13's I think). What a super career you gave had and thanks for sharing your story.

what a brilliant story

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An amazing career at Arsenal followed by great stories of football in Italy just at the time foreign players were allowed back. The international journey was nicely documented too. Well worth a read/listen.

Great Insight into the global game

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