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IT IS A SHOCK when any teenager is stricken by a life-threatening heart condition – even more so when it’s a professional sportsman with the world at his feet. Mark O’Brien had become one of Derby County’s youngest ever footballers at the age of 16 when his life was turned upside down. Facing heart surgery, the young Irishman’s career was severely threatened, yet he was one of the lucky ones. With no symptoms, his problem was discovered following a routine health check. Although his clock was already ticking towards inevitable further surgery, Mark defied a bleak prognosis to enjoy a successful career, notably with Nigel Clough’s Derby County and later Newport County. Mark wrote himself into Newport folklore with a last gasp goal to save his side from relegation from the Football League, and captained the side during their fantastic FA Cup run, before that clock finally ran down on his career as the world battled Covid. Yet Mark’s story has become even more inspirational. Now looking at the world through different eyes, he explains how he is defeating the demons of depression and anxiety to rebuild his life. Today he combines working in a pastoral role at Newport with media work and public speaking. Mark’s story is for supporters of life as well as football. His hope is that young people will take heart and hope from his compelling words.
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Tony Daley joined Aston Villa, as an apprentice at the age of 14 and made his senior debut, aged 17 in April 1985. He played for Villa for just over nine seasons at the highest level and finished a runner-up in both the league seasons of 1989 - 1990 and 1992 - 1993 and won the League Cup with Villa in 1994. During this period, Tony was capped seven times for England between 1991 and 1992 under former club manager Graham Taylor. Tony linked up with Graham Taylor again as he finally left Villa for Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 1994 for a (then) club record GBP1.25 million, but he was plagued with injuries and was only able to manage 21 appearances for the club in four seasons. He was signed by Graham Taylor yet again in July 1998, who was Watford manager, on a free transfer. His injury woes continued though, and he struggled to get fit, missing the final months as the club won promotion to the Premier League. He was given a free transfer to newly promoted Division One side, Walsall in June 1999, and after a brief spell there, he finished his playing career with Conference side Forest Green Rovers, finally hanging up his boots in July 2002.
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AVAILABLE NOW I Get Knocked Down is the revealing autobiography of one of the most respected men in English football. After he was released by Sunderland as a boy, Danny Wilson began his career playing non-league football for his hometown club Wigan Athletic, before working his way through the divisions to the Premier League, winning major honours along the way. A popular character wherever he went, Danny's journey is littered with hilarious stories of some of the game's biggest names, including Brian Clough, Ron Atkinson, Viv Anderson, Chris Woods, Jimmy Case, Mick Harford, and Steve Foster. After a successful playing career with Bury, Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest, Scunthorpe, Brighton, Luton, and Sheffield Wednesday, Danny joined Barnsley as player- coach before eventually managing the club, taking them to the Premier League for the first time in their history. During a twenty-five-year managerial career, Danny's teams have won trophies, promotions, and celebrated last-gasp relegation escapes. Danny managed over a thousand games for Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, MK Dons, Hartlepool United, Swindon Town, Sheffield United, and Chesterfield. Danny speaks candidly about his time in management, including: working with Paolo Di Canio; being attacked in the media by four MPs; managing MK Dons during their inaugural season; helping to turn a young Harry Maguire from a midfielder to a defender; and his controversial decision to manage both Sheffield clubs - Wednesday and United. I Get Knocked Down is a truly fascinating insight into the life of a true football man.
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Signed CopyLike most young boys, Malcolm Christie grew up dreaming of becoming a professional footballer. Rejected by his hometown club Peterborough United and working at Somerfield supermarket, playing amateur football at 19, Malcolm thought the moment had passed him by.But dreams do come true. Just months after he was stacking shelves, Malcolm was playing for Derby County in the Premier League. International honours and a big money move to Middlesbrough followed as Malcolm became one of English footballs brightest prospects until a succession of injuries led to a premature end of his promising football career. The Reality of the Dream chronicles the amazing story of Malcolm Christie’s journey to become the only person in history to go straight from non-league to scoring in the Premier League and representing his country without ever joining a professional academy. Sad, funny and often emotional, Malcolm’s unique tale provides a brutally honest insight into the reality of life as a footballer, an injured footballer and worse – a retired footballer.
