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Paddy Crerand: Never Turn the Other Cheek
Recounting the previously untold story of one of soccer’s fieriest characters, this eagerly awaited autobiography takes readers through the career and personal life of a man who escaped from an extraordinarily tough background, dealt with a family tragedy, and faced religious bigotry. Crerand’s life story is a genuine triumph over adversity told from the perspective of someone whose informed opinion on Manchester United and soccer in general is as respected today as it was 40 years ago.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2007
About the author
Pat Crerand
4 booksPatrick Timothy "Paddy" Crerand (born 19 February 1939 in Glasgow, Scotland) was a Scottish-born footballer of Irish descent After six years at Celtic he moved to Manchester United where he was a member of teams that won the English League title twice, the FA Cup and European Cup. He gained 16 international caps for Scotland.
He spent one season managing Northampton Town and has since forged a career in the media. He started on radio, and now commentates on matches for MUTV.
After six years at Celtic (120 appearances, 5 goals), he signed for Manchester United on 6 February 1963, the fifth anniversary of the Munich air disaster, making his debut against Blackpool. He was a hard-tackling midfielder who, while known for his tenacity and tackling ability, was also an accurate passer, creating chances for attacking players such as Bobby Charlton and George Best. It was once said that while United had Best, Law and Charlton, an in-form Paddy was the heartbeat of the team.
He helped United to the league championship in 1965 and 1967 and won winners' medals in the 1963 FA Cup and 1968 European Cup finals. He represented the Scottish national side on 16 occasions.
He retired in 1972, having appeared in 401 games, scoring 19 goals for United. He was manager of Northampton Town in 1976-77 and covered United matches on local radio in the 1980s and early 1990s.
He spent one season managing Northampton Town and has since forged a career in the media. He started on radio, and now commentates on matches for MUTV.
After six years at Celtic (120 appearances, 5 goals), he signed for Manchester United on 6 February 1963, the fifth anniversary of the Munich air disaster, making his debut against Blackpool. He was a hard-tackling midfielder who, while known for his tenacity and tackling ability, was also an accurate passer, creating chances for attacking players such as Bobby Charlton and George Best. It was once said that while United had Best, Law and Charlton, an in-form Paddy was the heartbeat of the team.
He helped United to the league championship in 1965 and 1967 and won winners' medals in the 1963 FA Cup and 1968 European Cup finals. He represented the Scottish national side on 16 occasions.
He retired in 1972, having appeared in 401 games, scoring 19 goals for United. He was manager of Northampton Town in 1976-77 and covered United matches on local radio in the 1980s and early 1990s.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 19, 2013
As I recall back to the 'golden time' of my youth, Paddy was a regular sight, driving his red jag down Seymour Grove. King Denis also had a red jag and also regularly could be spotted on the Grove. As my paper round was mainly along that road, this skinny kid with the papers, (and the Golden Retriever, she was off the lead and trained to carry the Manchester Evening News in her mouth), wearing the United shirt, would regularly salute the legends driving past. I lived just around the corner from the Crerand house in the semi-detached suburbia of Old Trafford.
'Never Turn the Other Cheek' is Paddy's autobiography, published in 2007. Folk who recall those days will know that Mr Crerand was never backward in coming forward. He hasn't changed. Reading this book has brought back many great times and I've gained many insights into the behind the scenes actions, as well as the many games that I watched throughout the 1960's.
So perhaps I'm giving a biased review. I've awarded three stars because I liked this book. I would recommend it to those who are interested in reading about the English (and Scottish) game in this bygone era. As an out and out 'red', Paddy's autobiography is well balanced and fair comment, so it is worth reading no matter what colour shirt the reader supports.
Sack the proofreader though. The corrections I could make go into double figures.
'Never Turn the Other Cheek' is Paddy's autobiography, published in 2007. Folk who recall those days will know that Mr Crerand was never backward in coming forward. He hasn't changed. Reading this book has brought back many great times and I've gained many insights into the behind the scenes actions, as well as the many games that I watched throughout the 1960's.
So perhaps I'm giving a biased review. I've awarded three stars because I liked this book. I would recommend it to those who are interested in reading about the English (and Scottish) game in this bygone era. As an out and out 'red', Paddy's autobiography is well balanced and fair comment, so it is worth reading no matter what colour shirt the reader supports.
Sack the proofreader though. The corrections I could make go into double figures.
April 27, 2012
This is one for the football purist. I vaguely remember Crerand as his career was coming to an end when I first started going to Old Trafford so I knew very little about him. He had a reputation as a firebrand and this comes out in the book, together with his upbringing in difficult times in Glasgow. I will never tire of reading different points of view on the 1968 European Cup Final, but where this book lets itself down a little is the lack of flow in the writing. Its as if it has been written from a question and answer session, unlike, for instance, Roy Keane's autobiography that reads as though it has come straight from the heart.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews