Kenny Dalglish Autobiography by Kenny Dalglish

by Kenny Dalglish

In this autobiography Kenny Dalglish discusses his career which includes 102 caps, playing for such clubs as Celtic, Liverpool, and Blackburn, and which covers the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies. Also included are details of his departure from Blackburn and position as Newcastle's manager.

Genres: Football, Autobiography, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports

Hardcover

First published June 1, 1996

Reviews

[Eapen Chacko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've stood on the terraces of several clubs like Leeds, Liverpool, and Sheffield. I loved the Liverpool of Kevin Keegan and John Toschak, Ian Callaghan, Emlyn Hughes, Tommy Smith and Ray Clemence. I knew Kenny Dalglish accomplished great things but knew few details, and my soccer team mate who hails from Scunthorpe recommended this book. Co-authored by the Telegraph's Henry Winter, it is an insightful read into one of English football's great heros, both as a player and manager. Only, Dalglish grew up in the shadow of Ibrox, but Rangers never came for him, and he became a star at Celtic, before Bob Paisley grabbed him for Liverpool.

He was a midfield playmaker with little pace, but his dribbling, vision, passing and shooting made others better. He also lived through Heysel and Hillsborough, and his accounts of each really opened my eyes to what little the players knew about the events. English fans were wrongly blamed for the events at Heysel and banned from European football for five years; the events at Heysel and in Rome's Olympic Stadium set the stage for Hillsborough. I never understood the relationship among these seemingly disparate events.

After burning out emotionally at Liverpool, with a splendid record as a player, player/manager, and manager, Dalglish returned to manage Blackburn Rovers. He took them from the Championship to the Premier League. From there, he took them to fourth in the EPL, second the next year, and he took an Alan Shearer-fueled attack to the EPL Championship. All told, it is a splendid record. Henry Winter deserves a lot of credit for not editing this book harder, because its style allows Dalglish to speak as the Scotsman he is: a basic vocabulary, flattish tone, but emotion and intensity are buried underneath a matter-of-fact recitation of major events, great games, and great personal accomplishments on the field and off. This book is a great read for a football fan.

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

King Kenny

“The make-up of football crowds has definitely altered. The percentage of working people has dropped. The bigger clubs go more for hospitality and the corporate entertainment side, which is a money spinner. The working man must find it difficult to relate to players in financial terms. The new corporate fan can more easily relate to the wealthier player.”

This was Dalglish speaking back in 1996. I wonder what he thinks about the state of the game in 2018?...We trace his story from his humble beginnings in Milton and other working class districts of Glasgow. It was here where he started turning out for junior sides like Glasgow United, Possil Park and Cumbernauld United. We get, the now well-known scene, where Sean Fallon had unexpectedly visited Dalglish’s house to try and get him to sign for Celtic and the youngster scrambled to rip down his Rangers posters before he entered his room.

We track his progress from his time at the Quality Street Gang, a side that included the likes of Lou Macari and Danny McGrain. We learn of his part in the nine in a row era and being there at the tail end of the Lisbon Lions. Dalglish had an immensely successful time at Celtic, winning all the major domestic honours many times, and eventually captaining the side too, but he was soon getting itchy feet and longing for more.

Dalglish knew within his first season at Liverpool that he had made the correct decision heading south, when he did in 10 months at Liverpool what he couldn’t do at 8 years at Celtic, he won a European trophy, and there would be more to come. As well as his many successes on the field, we get interesting insights into the many other aspects of his time there. We get his thoughts on the Boot Room and his relationship with Alex Ferguson. He also opens up about the horror of Heysel and of course the Hillsborough tragedy.

We also get his experiences from his long and eventful career representing Scotland, one that saw him score 30 goals and make a record 102 appearances. He still retains both records, (the former shared with Denis Law), more than thirty years after retiring. He opens up about Ally McLeod’s woeful attempts at preparing for the 78 World Cup. Not only was he telling the media that Scotland were going to win the World Cup, but he never bothered to do any research on the competition before hand, resulting in the humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of Peru, and the subsequent draw with Iran. Though to be fair, Dalglish does then admit to doing something similar when talking about his time at Blackburn, when they were embarking on their European campaign, “When I played for Liverpool, we never knew too much about the opponents either. If you get your own game right, why worry about the team in the other dressing room? Assessing the opposition was not always a fool proof procedure.”

Working under greats like Jock Stein and Bob Paisley, Dalglish certainly had plenty of opportunity to pick up a thing or two during his time. But still, it would always be a tricky transition from player into player-manager. First of all he had to deal with the fall out of Heysel and in his first season he was immediately confronting the fact that his team were banned from playing in European football for five seasons.

But of course he soon found success and awards aplenty, there were disappointments along the way too, in particular the F.A. Cup Final loss to Wimbledon and the two goal defeat at home to Arsenal that saw them lose the league on the final day, but asking any professional team to play three games in a seven day period (including a 2 hour long cup final) is nothing short of outrageously unreasonable.

Dalglish’s time at Blackburn speaks for itself, yes money played a part, but Dalglish and Harford’s decisions and management played a far bigger part, and that’s what counts and that is why they won the league. This book contains some amusing and witty one liners, that sum up the man, like, “I would much rather have a successful team, with the players on my side, than enjoy a romance with the media.” His thoughts on signing Shearer for a then record fee, show us how much the money has taken matters all out of proportion today, “Spending so much on a player of Alan’s stature made people think Blackburn were now a force to be reckoned with. We got some stick for the record money paid, £3.3 million.” Of course he certainly got his money’s worth, as well as helping them to win the league. Shearer became and still remains the all-time top goal scorer in the EPL era.

Of course Dalglish has no shortage of impressive statistics himself. There is a nice section at the back detailing his many career highs, showing all the stats and facts at club and country level. There are many to choose from, but surely one of the more impressive ones, was that he was the first player in history to complete a league century in both Scotland and England, playing with only two clubs. Elsewhere, there are plenty of entertaining and colourful photographs documenting many of the highlights and heartaches.

Dalglish often comes across as an eccentric and enigmatic man in interviews. But it is clear that he is an incredibly pragmatic and authentic one too, and he obviously tried to translate this philosophy into his players and his teams. Although many may claim that Dalglish has had an inconsistent record as a manager, especially since this was written. We have to remember that all English teams were banned from Europe for five years, and so already Dalglish’s success was limited by political point scoring. And let’s not forget, at the time of writing, not only was Dalglish the last man to have won the league for Liverpool back in 1990. But he is also one of the two Glaswegians to have won the EPL, meaning that in 2018, it is still the case that more men from the city of Glasgow have won the EPL than in the whole of England. Not too bad going for a boy from the schemes of Glasgow.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book about an absolute legend from Liverpool. Kenny is like one of those old school players who you just knew were good but couldn't quite put your finger on exactly what it was about them that made them so good. He really fits it in to that Brian mcclair, Bryan Robson, Peter Beardsley mode where there is nothing outstanding about them and yet they understood the game perfectly and played in the future and clinical often in front of goal. Once again Kenny wasn't the biggest player on the football pitch or the fastest but he was able to do things with the ball and in the game that thousands of others couldn't. Then what he went on to do with Blackburn Rovers and win the Premier League with them was exceptional also. Here are some of the best bits from the book:
He asked me whether I was nervous. No I said, I'm alright Bobby thanks. Well he replied you are putting your boots on the wrong feet. I looked down and it was true. Maybe it was having Bobby nearby or simply the prospect of making my debut but I had been tugging my right boot onto my left foot.

When I walked into liverpool's dressing room for the first time I received quite a shock. I find myself surrounded by men with hair dryers. what is this? I thought to myself a lot of Liverpool players had them at training and it matches. This is all very strange to me. I would just wash my hair and then let it dry but there were all these famous footballers standing in front of the mirror carefully drying their hair and combing it and blowing it into place.

Colin Todd. His anticipation was unbelievable. He didn't need to foul because he had already read the situation. Colin didn't need to kick you to get the ball.

My worst piece of retaliation came at Tottenham Hotspur. Danny blanchflower's old club. My action was disgraceful. I really embarrassed myself. Somebody played the ball over the top and suddenly there was a three man chase involving me and two Tottenham defenders Don McAllister and Steve perryman. I was running in the middle of them and I looked to either side and thought one of them was bound to elbow me so I punched McAllister. My fist was quicker than the linesman's eye. He never saw a thing. The whole thing must have looked like a blur of bodies accidentally colliding when in fact I had cynically taken one of them out. McAllister was lying on the deck. When he got up he was raging. Look I said to him I was bang out of order. Totally yes I knew there is going to be retaliation and I accept that. But you've only got one chance so sure enough he booted me at the next opportunity. OK I said to him picking myself off the ground no problem that's us level and we went on with the game. That's how we did it back in the day.

Every footballer has an obligation to run until they drop for the team.

I notice a habit of the bruges goalkeeper Jensen that proved to be his undoing. Each of the two times Terry Mac ran through and shot low Jensen dropped down to block the ball. So when Graeme Souness played me in Jensen came out as he had for Terry in our knew he was going to go down early. I dummied to play it Jensen fell for it allowing me an opening to lift the ball over the top of him.

Like the club there were no heirs in the boot room at Liverpool. The room itself was nothing special it was simply a room with four hampers to sit on. On the walls were rows of pegs boots dangling from each a bit of shelving and a double cupboard where Ronnie and Roy could keep their bottles of whiskey. eventually they put up a fridge in there, their one concession to modern life. It was brilliant Ronnie and Roy would be sitting on top of hampers rabbiting away about nothing and anything. the boot room was a university for football. it was a bunch of intelligent guys discussing football.

Liverpool had played in an FA Cup f semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough the year before the disaster and there had been no reported problems. Not many people know this. the organization was superb. the fans had to come through a barrier 500 yards away from the ground where they had to show their tickets. this wasn't the case on 15th April 1989. a different police team was in charge and the stewarding had changed. why wasn't the procedure repeated from the previous year? If it was repeated why did it fail? If it had been run exactly the same as the year before those 96 people, a number which went up to 97, might have been alive today.

Liverpool tried to do everything it could. we gave away shirts pictures any memento anything to show our support. it was the act of giving more than what we gave that was important. when we finally returned to playing football we didn't even have a strip. we had to order another one because we had all given our kits away.

Another major problem for the future of football is the competition the sport faces from other leisure pursuits. When I grew up it was a case of get a ball, get a game let's go. now small kids have so many other distractions. technology has moved on since my day. computer games can fill hours of a child's week. A small percentage who might have gone on to play the game are being lost from football each year.

[David Lindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read as he was clearly impacted by the Ibrox, Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies, understandably.

A gifted player, and successful manager, winning the EPL with two clubs.

This autobiography covered his early managerial career, I am unsure if he did a follow up volume for his later career.

This was a gift from a family friend, knowing I am a Liverpool supporter.

The Hillsborough section was the most revealing and upsetting part, and shows how a professional sport impacted the lives of, at least, two cities.

[Kenny Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic education on the Reds’ golden years, & insight into this shy, matter-of-fact, determined footballer.

[William Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

[John Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Football fans & Liverpool fans will of course could enjoy this.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Autobiography reminds me very much of the 'Kings' interviews, honest and to the point. If your idea of an Biography is a thrill at every-page, every moment in the life of that person exposed for the world to see on each and every-page. Each opinion, each controversy, each ounce of gossip exposed for entertainment value, then this book isnt what your looking for. This book is simply a true honest account about a legend by the legend. He tells you the bits he believes is worth putting down on paper. The bits of his life he wants you to know, and doesn't mind you knowing. A rare highlight in the life of a reserved giant in the world of football. Having said all that, he does talk about delicate subjects such as Hysel and Hilsborough, and how he remembers them taking place. his belief on why they happened, and how the authorities, media, fans,and fellow players handled them. These accounts again, are written in a dignified, honest and respectful manner (very much how he handled it at the time).

So if your looking to read about the life of King Kenny in the same way you'd read in the likes of modern footballers, and pop stars biography's then you may be disappointed. But if you want to know about the man himself, the legend. His love for the game, his clubs, hometown of Glasgow, adopted home of Liverpool and all the highlights of his life told in the most honest of words, then this book is a joy to read.

[Cathal Kenneally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still my favourite Liverpool player. A legend. My football hero growing up. Signed to replace the departing Kevin Keegan. What a replacement. Became an even bigger legend when he managed Liverpool to the league and cup double in 1986. He took over from Joe Fagan who quit after the Heysel disaster. Hillsborough eventually led Kenny or King Kenny as he is known on Merseyside to resign in 1991. The emotion I think just got to him. Along with his wife, he visited every family of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
He came back for a second spell and won the league cup in 2012; not covered in this book and has been knighted for services to football, which has been long overdue. Forgive me if I sound biased. I’m currently reading Kevin Keegan’s book who as a Liverpool player was a little before my time. Kenny took over his number 7 shirt.
This may be a lengthy review but there’s so much you can say about this guy.

[Red Rhum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proper old school autobiography.
At least twice as long as a more modern equivalent, more detail, less politically correct, more honest.
Very good, loved it.

[Roy Kvatningen · Rating 2 out of 5]

For fans only. Pretty much your standard spirts biography.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a really interesting book. For me, the most fascinating part was where he discusses the tragedies that he has experienced in football as they seem to have really changed him