The Dream Goal: Football Reads

Andy Basterfield - Community Football Development Officer for Hattersley

What is your link to Football?

My links to Football are quite numerous, I used to be employed as a Football Development Officer by Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership, working closely with local Schools, local Clubs, coaching football, and managing the new state of the art Ken Ward Sports Centre in Hattersley. I play Football on a Saturday afternoon, and Sunday mornings, and train during the week. I also enjoy watching Football, my favourite teams are Manchester United, and Stalybridge Celtic.

What sort of books do you like to read?

The type of books I like to read are mainly Autobiographies, in-particular Football players autobiographies. I have read loads in the past including books on George Best (Blessed: the autobiography), Alex Ferguson (Managing my life: my autobiography), Mark Hughes (Hughesie: the red dragon), Steve Bruce (Heading for victory: an autobiography), David Beckham (My Side), Roy Keane (Keane: the autobiography), & Paul Gascoigne (Gazza: my story).

When and where do you read?

I like to read when I have a little bit of spare time, I mainly read at home in bed before I go to sleep, I find it relaxing after a long day at work or hard training session.

What were your favourite books when you were in school?

My favourite books when I was in school were the books on Roald Dahl, in particular I loved the BFG & the Twits. I used to enjoy reading about all the crazy things that happened in the books. When I was very young I enjoyed reading the Beatrix Potter books, these were the first books I ever read in Primary School, and still remember the stories now!

Have you got a favourite book?

My favourite book would probably have to be Roy Keane's Autobiography, it tells the story of his whole career, how he made it as a professional footballer, how difficult it was for him to make it to the top because of his size, his experiences of playing under Brian Clough, and all the behind the scenes stories at Manchester United.