Dream Goal Football Reads - Richard Mooney
The Dream Goal: Football Reads
Richard Mooney - Community Sports Development Officer for the Ashton Regeneration Area
What is your link to Football?
My link with football started when I was 7 years old as a player for Dukinfield Tigers and continued for school and sixth form college. Nowadays I play 5-a-side but my main involvement is as a coach in schools and the community.
What sort of books do you like to read?
Sports autobiographies are my most popular read. Books I have enjoyed the most are Martin Johnson's (Martin Johnson: the autobiography), George Best's (Blessed: the autobiography) and Frankie Dettori's (Frankie: the autobiography of Frankie Dettori).
When and where do you read?
Usually at home and at weekends.
Why do you think reading is important?
Reading gives you knowledge of what is going on in the world and gives you topics of conversation with your friends and colleagues.
What were your favourite books when you were in school?
Any book by Roald Dahl, especially James and the giant peach. Also, Jeffrey Archer's book A Twist in the Tale.
Have you got a favourite book you have read recently?
My favourite book of all time was an auto-biography of the Welsh and British Lions rugby player Scott Gibbs (Getting Physical: the autobiography of Scott Gibbs). I just couldn't put it down and read it in a weekend!
What are your top five reads of all time?
- James and the giant peach by Roald Dahl
- A twist in the tale by Jeffrey Archer
- Getting Physical: the autobiography of Scott Gibbs
- Martin Johnson: the autobiography
- To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee