Wordsmith International

This is a football autobiography with an exciting and refreshing difference. Mike Yates tells his compelling real life story of what it is like to be one of the many thousands of young players who pass through the academy system, get very close to the first team and believe that they are about to make it, only to suddenly find themselves rejected. How football develops young players is becoming an increasingly hot topic and this book examines the situation from every angle in an enjoyable and easy-to-read style. What was it like to play alongside a young Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen and be immersed in the world of professional football with a squad of Liverpool Legends? How does the modern academy system compare to the old apprenticeship days? How can young players prepare themselves mentally for both success and failure? How can parents help young players and themselves? How can shattered dreams and a devastating setback be turned into a successful future? How can the game improve the development of young players as people? It features a thought provoking foreword written by Jamie Carragher. Fascinating insights into the game provided by interviews with Jamie Carragher and his dad Philly, Ian Rush, Jamie Redknapp, John Barnes, Jason McAteer, Frank McParland, Steve Heighway, Hughie McAuley, Jimmy Melia, Clarke Carlisle, Gareth Southgate, Gordon Taylor, Dave McDonough, Paul Dalglish, Tom Culshaw, and more...It features full colour photos throughout the book, including rare images of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen as young players.