Dream Goal Football Reads - Mark Bradshaw
The Dream Goal: Football Reads
Mark Bradshaw - Football Development Officer at Curzon Ashton Football Club
What is your link to Football?
I played football in primary school for Ashton, Tameside Boys, Greater Manchester, and North West England. I just missed out on England Boys, then I had the chance to go for trails at several professional clubs. I choose Blackpool. They were in the lower leagues and I was given advice that I would get the opportunity to play at an early age. I made my debut for Blackpool at the age of seventeen and went on to play about two hundred games. After that I played for Stafford, Macclesfield Town, Halifax and Mossley. My current job at Curzon Ashton Football Club is to help to get as many people as possible to play safe organised football.
What sort of books do you like to read?
Biographies. Every footballer likes to read about the players who got to the very top and how they did it. My favourite has to be Gazza because of the way he has led his life.
What were your favourite books when you were in school?
There was one book that stood out in my memory. It was a short story book called The goalkeeper's revenge by Bill Naughton. I've remembered it from all those years ago. One of the Librarians from the Dream Goal recently got me a copy from the Library so I have been reading it again. I have even got my seven year old daughter to read it as well.
Have you got a favourite book that you have read recently?
Gazza: my story by Paul Gascoigne.
What is it about reading that you find so enjoyable?
You can drift away with a book and forget about work for a while!
Why do you think reading is important?
It is important because whatever you want to do with your life you should try and be a success. Reading about other people's experiences, good or bad can only help your decisions.
What are your top five reads of all time?
- Gazza: my story by Paul Gascoigne
- The goalkeeper's revenge and other stories by Bill Naughton
- Keane: the autobiography by Roy Keane
- Charlie and the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl
- George Best: tribute to a legend by David Meek