6. My Father And Other Working Class Heroes Gary Imlach
Anyone who used to watch NFL back in the 90s or watches Tour de France coverage will recognise Gary Imlach, as he has often worked as a presenter on these shows. In this book, Imlach looks at the life and career of his father, Stewart, who was a winger with Nottingham Forest and a World Cup player for Scotland. Imlachs book is by turns touching, heartfelt and humorous and chronicles his search for answers to questions he never asked when his father was alive. It is also a book that, as the title suggests, documents the social and economic state of the country at the time. This book is not just about football; it is about a sons love, admiration and respect for his father and his peers, who flourished at a time when footballers were paid only slightly better than the man in the street, yet maintained levels of professionalism that todays multi-millionaires often seem to fall short of. If you are looking for an engaging read that provides an antithesis to the glitz and glamour of modern football, this is the book for you.