Peter himself has managed to sidestep some of those pitfalls with his success as a pundit along with his podcasts and of course his books. Although it does pick up with the final chapter with more sobering accounts, this time concerning mental health and in particular the experiences of Aston Villa’s Lee Hendry. Similar to his previous two books, and in his typical comedic charm style, Peter provides anecdotes from his playing days to shed light on some of the characters he has encountered behind the scenes of some of English football’s biggest clubs. However as Crouch points out it isn’t totally ‘the fault of the player, it’s the people around him taking advantage. It is sobering to learn that ‘around 40% of ex players go bankrupt in the first 5 years after quitting, a 3rd get divorced.

How To Be an Ex-Footballer by Peter Crouch | Waterstones

This was a decent book and certainly there were some touching moments as well as laugh out loud moments. Those facts are mentioned, but this book is more about the more entertaining things footballers have gone on to do, whether it's a career in art or releasing their own range of condoms. Neuware - Shortlisted for the Sports Entertainment Book of the Year at the British Sports Book AwardsThe funniest man in British sport - MetroPeter Crouch is a comedy genius - Daily MailOften recruited before they've worn long trousers, today's footballers become superstars who earn huge amounts without ever learning much about the world beyond the training ground.He has clearly interviewed a number of former footballing pals and it comes across as an insightful read.

How to Be an Ex Peter Crouch Collection 3 Books Set (How to Be an Ex

Also my copy had be inexplicably partially censored with some expletives ‘bleeped out’, but then later on that same expletive is left untouched. Arjan de Zeeuw was a centre-half for Portsmouth and Wigan - I played against him - he’s now a narcotics detective in Holland! I would recommend all young and upcoming football professionals read the last poignant chapter of this book at least. I listened to the penguin audio version of this book and wasn’t as impressed with the presentation of that. It’s difficult to have sympathy for someone who was paid tens of thousands of pounds a week and lived a life filled with mansions and flash cars for not having the insight to prepare for the future.In conclusion I found this to once again be a funny, warm hearted, easily read book delivered with typical Peter Crouch style, which broaches the subject of footballers in their post-retirement life. Is this a difficult third book where the best idea comes in the epilogue: think of a retired footballer and make it their day. There are however less interesting sections where the flow stalls a bit and it does peter out somewhat towards the end (no pun intended). Then inevitably, when age catches up with them or injury strikes, these man-children are thrown out into the real world, utterly defenceless apart from their multi-million-pound bank accounts. A world where one team-mate comes to training in a bright red suit with matching top-hat, cane and glasses, without any actual glass in them, and another has so many sports cars they forget they have left a Porsche at the train station.

How to Be an Ex-Footballer - Penguin Books UK

This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. As someone who’s more interested in the business of football than the physical game itself, I really enjoyed this book and think it might be the best of Crouch’s trilogy.

Often recruited before they've worn long trousers, today's footballers become superstars who earn huge amounts without ever learning much about the world beyond the training ground. For more great interviews listen to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky , weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here .