Nobby Stiles: After the Ball - My Autobiography - SIGNED FIRST EDITION by Nobby Stiles

by Nobby Stiles

'After the Ball' is Nobby Stiles' account of a lifetime spent living and breathing football. Signed to Manchester United at the age of fifteen, he progressed to the England team, and had a starring role in the 1966 World Cup. He is one of only two Englishmen (Bobby Charlton is the other) to win both the World Cup and the European Cup. After playing at the highest level, Nobby Stiles became a manager, then a youth coach at Old Trafford, where he dealt with the new United of Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and the Neville brothers. His appraisals of these players from this exciting period are revealed, as well as studies of unforgettable teammates such as George Best and Bobby Charlton. This frank and entertaining autobiography celebrates the remarkable life of one of England's most charismatic of players.

Genres: Biography, Football

Hardcover

First published August 18, 2003

About the author

Norbert "Nobby" Peter Stiles MBE (born Collyhurst, Manchester, 18 May 1942) is an English former footballer. He was the toothless midfield ballwinner of England's 1966 World Cup winning squad. Stiles, Bobby Charlton and Ian Callaghan are the only Englishmen to have won both World and European Cups.


Stiles' simple passing game and fearless ball-winning skills saw his swift conversion into a "holding" midfield player of a type now a feature of all top teams but still a rarity at a time when forward lines consisted of five players and the midfield was restricted to covering half-backs. Stiles was deployed in the middle of the park to snuff out the flair and peril of creative opponents, and this he did with much success. His ability to gain and retain possession also allowed his more skilled team-mates like Bobby Charlton and, later, George Best more space on the park to utilise.

That said, Busby was not afraid to sacrifice Stiles when required and when United beat Leicester City 3-1 in the 1963 FA Cup final, Stiles was not picked for the game. He began to make more frequent appearance in the seasons ahead, however, and won the First Division title in 1965. The same year, his country came calling.

Reviews

[Ian McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant autobiography. The story or Nobby from his poor background in Manchester to the heights of football is a super one. The juxtaposition between the earnings Stiles made and the financial insecurity that came after his playing career had finished with the riches of modern footballers is stark. He held no ill will towards modern footballers and the book is frank and honest about the struggles after his playing days were over. There is no mention here of the dementia or prostate cancer that beset Stiles after the publication so the stories are lucid and clear and full of joy. Recommended.

[Keith Stopforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book , I decided to read it again after the dearth recently of Nobby . I enjoyed it just as much as the first time , he was the most gift of footballers but worked hard and was also spoke about very highly by everyone who came to know him . RIP Nobby

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Stiles is one of the most underrated footballers to ever play the game and this autobiography is an underrated book

[Gary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great football book, one of the best i’ve read. The ups and downs of a non conventional footballer who is one of only two englishmen who have won both the World and European Cups.

[Paul Shrimpton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good read, however, it does not start to become a story that “pulls you in “ until the last section. The gentleman the book is about and the subject matter is of something that should be a great read and and times it is, it just needed a little more within the writing. I still feel It is right to thank Nobby for what he did for the country, and respectfully wish that Nobby rests in peace.