Bob Wilson - Behind the Network : My Autobiography

by Bob Wilson

Bob Wilson's intriguing and candid autobiography makes for fascinating reading. He spent 39 years at Arsenal, as player then as the first goalkeeping coach in the first division. Following his retirement as a footballer, a career in TV beckoned, making Bob Wilson a household name. His days as a sports commentator and presenter at the BBC and subsequent switch to ITV are reflected upon, as well as his account of the Grobbelaar trial and his relationships with some of the most popular names in sport and TV, including Des Lynam, Jimmy Hill and David Seaman. He also has affectionate memories of Jill Dando and Helen Rollason, and tells the moving story of his daughter's illness and legacy.

Genres: Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography

322 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[John Newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob was in goal at my first game at Highbury and what with his TV work he has always been a part of my life and an Arsenal legend. I have read a lot of footballers biographies and unlike most I reckon that Bob actually wrote this one because he was always an intelligent and erudite guy. That's the background. The book brought a tear to my eye as Bob writes about every parent's nightmare and the loss of a child. I am so glad I donated when Bob was cycling around the country for his charity. I was touched by this story of a charming and honourable and admirable guy.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better football autobiographies, helped by Wilson's readable and flowing writing style. Interesting family background & route to the top via amateur footballer status to International goalkeeper. Fascinating insights into the world of TV sports journalism.

Thanks to Keith F for passing it on!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by a very modest man. Very touching.

[Andrew Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading, thank you for sharing your life with us Bob, very moving

[Stuart Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did what I wanted. Revealed the public and private life of a hero of mine. Bob is a worthy hero in so many ways. Huge respect

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Wilsons book has been quite an eye-opener for me. I never knew about any of his off the field personal life problems and having read this book, I am much more aware of them. I found his footballing story as much as his stories about his two brothers that lost their lives during the second World War very interesting, although maybe a little excessive seeing as though it was at a time that he had little to no memory of due to his age at the time. Bob Wilson does seem like such a genuine and nice fellow from what I've seen him on through his work on TV which is why I wanted to read this book originally and it does come through clearly in this book. This book is one of the most charming, interesting, moving and emotional football books out there and is definitely different and unique to most other football autobiographies. I would not just recommend this to just Arsenal fans as I think it is a book all football fans should read and even people who don't enjoy the sport can find something positive whilst reading in this book.

[The Villan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read though I was hoping for more humorous stories from Bob’s playing career considering whom he played alongside and so I skipped some of the latter part of his playing days. The interesting stories came from his time in broadcasting and the tragic circumstances of his daughter Anna’s fight with cancer. It really resonated with me as my mother-in-law is in palliative care at the time of the reading of his autobiography and Anna’s story and lust for life has inspired me to arrange something that my mother-in-law and her two daughters can all do together to hopefully make a good memory while they still have time together.

[Mario]

I'm slightly biased because having met Bob and his wife multiple times through my work and know them as really nice, polite people. And still so passionate about Arsenal.

Bob Wilson has packed a lot into his life whether it was playing professional football or talking about it on TV but has also experienced a lot of tragic events from the 2nd World War up to his life as a father in the 1990's. The book can be moving at times and is quite well written. Not an autobiography if you're looking to hear about a footballer's drunken exploits.