Terry Mac: Living For The Moment: My Autobiography

by Terry McDermott, John Richardson

Terry McDermott. Scally kid from Kirkby turned multiple European Cup winner. Adopted Geordie. Liverpool legend and scorer of arguably Anfield’s most famous goal. Kevin Keegan’s trusted right-hand man at Newcastle United. And partial to a pint or five and a punt on the horses. Now, for the first time, the 1980 PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year lifts the lid on his successes at Liverpool, the near misses at Newcastle, controversies he found himself caught up in and the famous players he shared a dressing room with. It’s a roller-coaster tale spanning more than half a century that takes McDermott from the high-rise flats of his home town to the pinnacle of European football; from the booze and banter of a Merseyside social club to the madness of a matchday dugout. A read every bit as thrilling as his FA Cup wonder goal against Tottenham, McDermott’s long-awaited autobiography will appeal to Kopites and Toon fans alike, plus football followers intrigued about one of the most colourful characters in the game. Like the man himself, Terry Living For The Moment is cheerful, entertaining and straight to the point.

Genres: Football

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2017

About the author

Terry McDermott is the author of Perfect Soldiers (HarperCollins, 2005), and 101 Theory Drive (Pantheon, 2010). His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Smithsonian, Columbia Journalism Review, the Los Angeles Times Magazine and Pacific Magazine. McDermott worked at eight newspapers for more than thirty years, most recently for ten years at the Los Angeles Times, where he was a national correspondent.

Reviews

[Gareth Manuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this due to his time in Newcastle, and hearing about his recent diagnosis for dementia.

Likable, if totally daft as a brush. By his own words he's not the smartest. It's fairly easy to read and is very generic and repetitive. Seems too keen to be always nice about everyone, whatever their antics or misgivings. More credit to him being a decent bloke I suppose, but Keegans I bet more to the point.

[Ian Curragh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4stars

An interesting read about a great footballer. He speaks of his career that started at Bury, then Newcastle, Liverpool and back once more to Newcastle. He also details his career as a coach with most notably Newcastle. An enjoyable read about one of the great footballers of the 1970s and 80s.

[Jack Youd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I liked how it was straight into his career and didn’t spend too much time on his early life and childhood. I found myself learning a lot about Terry Mac especially in his post playing career. Great read.

[Jeff Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining football book , Terry Mac is a very likeable chap ,interesting to read about King Kev and Terrys relationship,all round a good read if just a tad sad that alcohol took up so much of his spare time

[David Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A very informed interesting story about Terry's life and gives a insight into goings on at Newcastle and Liverpool
A good read for any of their fans.

[Peter P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a Liverpool fan from the 1970's/80's, you will enjoy this trip down memory lane with the Liverpool great, Terry McDermott.

[Gregg Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, not just the Liverpool stuff but the Newcastle stuff and all the bits about Kevin Keegan too. They really used to enjoy a pint in the old days didn't they!

[Jake Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terry McDermott was a hero of mine growing up.
The book was disappointing and is shocking in that he appears to be have been an alcoholic most of his life. Not hugely insightful.