Giggs: The Autobiography

by Ryan Giggs, Joe Lovejoy

Ryan Giggs first played for Manchester United in the season before the Premiership began; back when Bryan Robson was still captain. He took possession of United's left wing and never loosened his grip. Over a fourteen year career so far, he's seen them all come and go: Cantona, Schmeichel, Beckham and the rest. Sir Alex Ferguson said of Giggs 'I knew we had an outstanding talent when we gave him his debut.' That was back in 1991, but it remains as true in 2005 as it ever was. Giggs has been a pivotal figure in United's dominance of the Premiership. There have been rivals but no other team can match the their sustained record of success over recent years. And Giggs is the only player to have played in all eight of those title winning campaigns. Off the pitch, Ryan Giggs has always closely guarded his private life. But here he opens up for the first time, sharing details of the sometimes turbulent childhood that shaped him and the relationships that have mattered to him to reveal the man behind the famous number 11 red shirt. One thing seems clear: the Old Trafford crowd will be singing 'Giggs will tear you apart again!' for a few years yet ...

Genres: Football, Sports, Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published August 15, 2005

About the author

yan Joseph Giggs OBE (born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973) is a Welsh footballer who has played for Manchester United for the entirety of his club career to-date. He established himself as a left-winger during the 1990s and continued in this position well into the 2000s, but more recently playing in a deeper playmaking role.

Giggs holds a host of football records, including that of being the most decorated player in English football history. On 16 May 2009, he became the first footballer to collect 11 top division English league title medals. Giggs was the first player in history to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards (1992 and 1993) and is the only player to have played and scored in every single season of the Premier League since its inception.

Giggs has had a long-lasting domestic and continental career and is the first player in UEFA Champions League history to have scored in 12 successive seasons, on top of being elected into the PFA Team of the Century in 2007,the English Premier League Team of the Decade, in 2003, as well as the FA Cup Team of the Century. Giggs is also the only United player to have played in all 11 Premier League winning teams and all three League Cup winning teams. At the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final, held on 21 May 2008, Giggs surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances for Manchester United to become the club's all-time leader in appearances.

At international level, Giggs played for the Welsh national team prior to his retirement from international football on 2 June 2007, and was once the youngest player to ever represent his country. As well as the many honours Giggs has received within football such as being named in the Football League 100 Legends, he was appointed an OBE in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours List, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005, for his services to English Football.

Reviews

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent insiht into the great guy himself. OK not perfect for having an affair with his brothers wife but that went out after this book was published i suspect. an incredible insight on what made him so great and how from an early age he was targetted by big clubs and united in particular. there are also some very funny sections of the book especially the bit abotu his mate who went to watch the champions league final in 99 but left half way through the second half because his wife was nagging him. we all know ath happenned in teh alst 5 minutes of that game dont we?
certainly worth reading if you are interested in THE most longing serving member of the Premier leage and still going!

[Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars because Giggs only seemed to talk about his team mates and not him .the only reason I wanted to read this book is to know how he trains. He also just talked about his social life, but I just realised that he supposed to talk about that. The thing I most admire about Giggs is how he runs at players with speed and agility It also says on the blurb “Ryan can leave the best defenders with twisted blood”. (Sir Alex Ferguson). I think you should read this book because it teaches you how not to get into parties and dragged into these alcoholic drinks and clubs.

[Thomas Santarossa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really disappointed, I like Ryan Giggs as a player and was hoping to get a lot more from this book.

The book is like asking a 10 year old to give me a recount of his weekend.

It was good to see how seasons play out, the psychological aspect, and how matches impact teams.

That was it

[7nikolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Ryan Giggs is a story about how he worked his way up the ranks at Manchester United and how he became of football player. He talked about his family which was something i didn't know about him. I thought that the insite into his personal life really helped this book in my mind. I enjoyed this book for the simple fact that it was about Ryan Giggs and for the most part i liked it. Yet sports books in general have trouble in my mind at maintaining the attention of the reader. This book was somewhat indifferent to losing my attention, yet i wouldn't recommend this book to someone who doesn't know who Giggs is or someone who doesn't enjoy playing or watching Football.

[Mat Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book a fair bit but I felt like it was lacking more of a personal story to it. Yes he had his story of growing up, family and a few recounts of nights out. But a part from that I felt like half of the book was just recounting results in games. There were insights about struggling with injuries and a few of his player insights of fellow team mates and opponents but yeah as much as it's probably a bit nosey and breaching a bit of that privacy barrier to say I just felt like I wanted a bit more rawness and more personal recounts of his life. All in all though it was a good read and a reminder of times when there was more passion and grit in the game and less worry about the money

[Llama's rule (not Aaron Francis) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Ryan Giggs a profesinal soccer player. Its an autobiography from when he was born to 2006. Its tells you about every detail of his life including all the trophies he has won.

[Sam Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading, but disappointing in that I feel it could have been written better.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one which I expected very little from, but was pleasantly surprised!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read and really great insight into Manchester United during the Ferguson Era. There are also some hilarious moments!

[David Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would have got 5 stars but for the sad ending.

[Thongglomeration · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside track on life at Utd