Born to be a Footballer: My Autobiography

by Liam Brady

"Being a footballer was my destiny." After being expelled from school for playing football for his country, fifteen-year-old Liam Brady travelled to London to join Arsenal, and soon became an indispensable part of their glorious 1970s team. Rightly considered one of the Republic of Ireland's best-ever footballers, he went on to enjoy successes with Juventus, Sampdoria and West Ham, as well as managing Celtic and Brighton and Hove, and becoming assistant manager of his national team. Today he is best known for his much-respected TV punditry and searingly intelligent insights into the game he adores. Full of honest insights, amusing anecdotes and recollections of extraordinary times, with Born to be a Footballer Brady delivers a compelling story of a fifty-year career that is unparalleled in Irish sport.

Genres: Biography, Football, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Sports, Irish Literature

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Cian Aherne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable, great insights into an incredible career that I knew nothing about

[Alec Mcallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sports books are often terrible, which is a real frustration for someone who loves sports AND books. I’ve often been disappointed by them even when the subject is someone I’m really interested in. Brady’s autobiography is one of the best I’ve ever read giving a real insight into his professional life as player, manager, pundit and head of youth academy at Arsenal. It’s honest but fair and often quite funny or moving. There is a genuine humility and a refreshing realisation of how privileged a position it is to spend your entire working life involved in a game you love. Excellent read for anyone interested in football.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good football book, excellent player, seems like a proper Gent. Every period in this book is insightful and interesting.

[Stuart Ovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting and entertaining book (even to a non Arsenal fan). I had forgotten what a varied career he had both in Italy and management.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice guy

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an honest life story.

Liam tells a great story of his life. It is clearly honest. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The highs and lows. Concise and unindulgent, the pages seem to turn themselves. Great work Liam, an Irish historical document.

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to love Liam Brady as a kid growing up in the 1970s so thought I’d have a gander at Born to be a Footballer: My Autobiography (2023). Somewhat predictably I thoroughly enjoyed it. Liam is very honest about his life, the moments of glory and the relatively few mistakes he made. He comes over as a genuine, thoughtful and interesting character. No surprise really when you consider his career since retiring from playing. If you enjoyed Liam’s playing days, or enjoy well written books about elite sportspeople, then you’ll find plenty to enjoy and appreciate here.

4/5

"Being a footballer was my destiny." After being expelled from school for playing football for his country, fifteen-year-old Liam Brady travelled to London to join Arsenal, and soon became an indispensable part of their glorious 1970s team. Rightly considered one of the Republic of Ireland's best-ever footballers, he went on to enjoy successes with Juventus, Sampdoria and West Ham, as well as managing Celtic and Brighton and Hove, and becoming assistant manager of his national team. Today he is best known for his much-respected TV punditry and searingly intelligent insights into the game he adores. Full of honest insights, amusing anecdotes and recollections of extraordinary times, with Born to be a Footballer Brady delivers a compelling story of a fifty-year career that is unparalleled in Irish sport.

[Peter P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing short of a love letter to football. Liam Brady came from the same north Dublin area as me, played for Saint Kevin's for whom I had a cup of tea, and had brothers who played at Home Farm, as I had done for a short while. Other than the fact that we both left school at 15, therein the roads parted. He enjoyed his dream (mine left unfulfilled) of playing professional football for Arsenal, in Italy, and for Ireland. This book details his great journey as a player, his challenges as a manager, his success as head of Arsenal's famed youth development center, and as a punter, mainly for RTE, where he, Johnny Giles, Eamon Dunphy, and Bill O'Herlihy held court for years as panelists for international and club games to the delight of those who had the pleasure of watching them. I loved every minute of this book.

[John Newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I met Liam at the Emirates and he very kindly signed my copy of the book, I told him that I had read his earlier biography. He assured me this one was better and he was write, not least as it covered the 40 something years of his career his the first.

It is a tremendously modest rendition of a life in football for someone who is undoubtedly one of the greatest players I have had the privilegde to watch.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have 2 abiding memories of Brady.The first scoring that goal at White Hart Lane.The second was keeping us waiting on a coach taking us to the airport in Paris in 2006.
He was a brilliant footballer.he moved to Italy for the money,but after his first 2years it was all downhill.He comes across as a bit naive when dealing with the Italians

[Jeff Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book , great tales from his schoolboy days,Aresenal and about his adventures in Italy.There are some really interesting and insightful chapters on his time in management including with Ireland and then his pundit work on tv.Liam Brady comes across the pages as a thoroughly decent skin.

[Robert Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing honest and open sports book. I warmed to Brady as the book progressed. A genuine bloke who tells it as it is.

[Michael D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very endearing and humble memoir.

[Gary H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about a fantastic career.

[Conor Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish football legend 💚

[Paul McCormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Could have been a bit more depth to it

[Seán Ó · Rating 4 out of 5]

An suimiúil!!

[Eurwyn Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, a great read for any football fan. An amazing man that had an amazing career.

[Shane O · Rating 4 out of 5]

a brilliantly honest and at times funny book from one of Irelands greatest ever players

[Fústar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great player, fairly mediocre book. Enjoyable enough and easy to read...just a bit middle-of-the-road (rather than back-of-the-net). Was hoping for juicier stories of his Italian days, particularly. Overall, a serviceable football biog. Does the job. But does leave you wanting rather a lot more.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable autobiography of someone who was one of the most stylish footballers around when I was growing up. Especially good on his time as one of the earlier Irish, indeed British, players to make a success in Europe. Comes across as a really nice bloke too.

[Lewis Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun fact - i was originally going to be called liam after chippy himself