Not Such a Bad Life – Paul Weller – Burnley, Gazza, Wrighty, Waddle and Me – SIGNED

Paul Weller was a one-club player. At 16, he signed for Burnley, leaving his home city of sunny Brighton for a town of grey skies, run-down terraced streets and mill chimneys, where riots were among the first things he saw. A more timid person might have caught the first train home. But he went on to play 252 games for the Clarets between 1993 and 2005.

He would have played many more but for suffering the debilitating effects of colitis. It robbed him of a huge chunk of his career, and forced him out of the first team. He underwent three operations and months of rehabilitation. Other players might have capitulated, but he faced the problem head on, beat it and battled back into the first team. He helped the side win promotion to the Championship and was 'Player of the Year' the next year.

Paul's inspiring story shows how seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome with courage, grit and determination. There are behind-the-scenes tales of the many characters he encountered - from Paul Gascoigne to Ian Wright, Chris Waddle and the inimitable Stan Ternent. But it is also a story of the bullying, pitfalls and perils that await any aspiring footballer, and the cruelty with which players are so often disgarded when their playing days ends. Published in 2021.

Note: This book contains a bookplate which has been autographed by Paul Weller.

Size: 160mm x 241mm – 318 pages.