It's Only Banter: The Autobiography of Leroy Rosenior

by Leroy Rosenior, Leo Moynihan

Willie Leroy Rosenior, better known as Leroy Rosenior, is a former professional footballer, manager and now media commentator. Leroy's parents were born and raised in Sierra Leone before settling in Britain in the early 1950s and his story cuts across three generations of the Rosenior family. It's the story of an extrovert father who dealt with the racism—both every day and life-threatening—with wit and charm; of a son who learned that keeping your head down was the best option for a black player in the early Eighties; and his son Liam, who has carved out a successful Premier League career. Laced with humorous anecdotes, this book offers a deeply personal insight into the damaging effects of racism in football and in British society as a whole. At a time when football's administrators continue to fumble the ball on issues of discrimination, Leroy draws on his own experience—and that of other high-profile football personalities—to offer practical solutions.

Genres: Football, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leroy Rosenior is clearly a lovely person, and very thoughtful too, and someone who has had an interesting career as a footballer, and beyond as a pundit, coach and manager.

What elevates 'It's Only Banter: The Autobiography of Leroy Rosenior' are Leroy's shocking descriptions of being racially abused by supporters and fellow professionals in the 1980s. He doesn't dwell on this aspect of his career, and yet he still leaves the reader in no doubt that it was a significant additional hurdle for him, and other black players of the era, to overcome. Leroy Rosenior also has some interesting thoughts on why there are so few BAME managers represented amongst the football league clubs.

Leroy covers plenty of other areas too. His wonderful family and happy upbringing in south London, his memorable experiences briefly managing Sierra Leone, playing for Fulham, QPR, West Ham and Bristol City, and managing Gloucester City, Torquay, and Brentford.

'It's Only Banter: The Autobiography of Leroy Rosenior' is an enjoyable and interesting read, which shows how far we've come in terms of greater equality and tolerance, but also how far we still have to travel.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written account of Leroy Rosenior's footballing career, which included playing for several English clubs and England under-16 and under-21 teams during the 1980s. He was also to win a single cap playing for Sierra Leone, the birthplace of his parents. Later in his career, Leroy was to work as a coach and manager at various clubs.

Leroy's account speaks not only about the game but also about his personal life and his son, a professional footballer. He also highlights the racism he has encountered during his time in football and the lack of Black and other Ethnic community representation at the managerial level even today.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Geoffrey Quart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely tale

Well written, great account of a great footballer and his struggles against racism worth a read for football fan and west ham fan

[Gary Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the beginning of the book and fully understand the importance of the message.

That said, I thought it was pretty repetitive from about 2/3 rds of the way in.