Forever Young

by Oliver Kay

WINNER OF THE FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2016 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR

'This football book is about something even more important than the "beautiful game"; it is a story of the human spirit.' - Mick Hume, The Times

Adrian Doherty was not a typical footballer. For one thing, he was blessed with extraordinary talent. Those who played alongside and watched him in the Manchester United youth team in the early 1990s insist he was as good as Ryan Giggs - possibly even better. Giggs, who played on the opposite wing, says he is inclined to agree.

Doherty was also an eccentric - by football standards, at least. When his colleagues went to Old Trafford to watch the first team on Saturday afternoons, he preferred to take the bus into Manchester to go busking. He wore second-hand clothes, worshipped Bob Dylan, read about theology and French existentialism and wrote songs and poems. One team-mate says "it was like having Bob Dylan in a No 7 shirt".

On his 17th birthday, Doherty was offered a five-year contract - unprecedented for a United youngster at that time - and told by Alex Ferguson that he was destined for stardom. But what followed over the next decade is a tale so mysterious, so shocking, so unusual, so amusing but ultimately so tragic, that you are left wondering how on earth it has been untold for so long.

The stories of Doherty's contemporaries, that group of Manchester United youngsters who became known as the "Class of '92", are well known. Giggs ended up as the most decorated player in United's history; David Beckham became the most recognisable footballer on the planet; Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and others are household names. The story you don't know is about the player who, having had the world at his feet, died the day before his 27th birthday following an accident in a canal in Holland.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction, Biography, Sports

448 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2017

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off great - first half was 5 stars and I couldn't understand why more people weren't reading this and it didn't have loads more ratings. For me, it tapered off towards the end once the football part finished when there were a series of tragic misfortunes. Nevertheless a must read for any football fan especially if you grew up in the late 80's/early 90's before Sir Alex made Man United great again.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this biography of the lost player of the early days of alex fergusons manchester united who had a promising career until injury blighted him and also shows him as the singer/artist away from football

[Rob Twinem · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a youth and growing up in the wilds of Northern Ireland most of my contemporaries, if they had the slightest interest in football, were in awe of one team only, Manchester United, and in particular one player: George Best. I mention this because as much as I knew about the life of this precocious talent I knew next to nothing or in fact had never heard of Adrian Doherty. I am sure that I am not alone in that revelation, and it is a tribute to journalist Oliver Kay that he has brought to print the sad, poignant, yet also happy life of one Adrian Doherty and we and many others will ask the question....what if?

This biography is not so much a story about a young man's career (or lack of) at a professional football club, but rather it is the study of a loveable, gentle human being who was never hypnotised by the glamour and potential wealth that his position as a winger in the great Untied youth team of the early 90's, and hopefully later a member of the main United squad, would undoubtedly bring. Here was a country lad from the homely streets of Strabane set adrift in a big city called here simply by the talent he showed from a very early age as a professional footballer. The one similarity between Doherty and the great Best is that when first called to Manchester to confront their destiny they were both allocated unsatisfactory lodgings. It seems that in the 23+ years that separated their two careers United had learned little in the way of how to make their new prodigies feel wanted and cared for. Here we have two shy Irish lads (not much older than children) fresh from the homeland with no real social skills and expected to fit in immediately with a tough but rewarding training scheme. George soon found help and companionship in the form of alcohol (and we all know how that ended....Where did it all go wrong George?) and Adrian found true love and companionship in his song, and poetry composition, and playing his guitar. This lonely, loveable individual often busked in Manchester city centre preferring his own company to that of the talented United youths who lodged with him; Giggs, Scholes, Neville to name but a few...."he was stuck in Manchester with no money and didn't know what to do. I set off as soon as I could, but when I got there, he was nowhere to be seen"....

So surprisingly for a biography of a Manchester United potential there is no accumulation of wealth, there is even no first team appearance.....but oh how close Adrian Doherty came. The cruciate ligament knee injury that he suffered might have benefited more some early intervention but that did not happen and together with the fact that in the early 90's the treatment of a knee injury was crude compared by today's standards meant that the young footballer's hopes and dreams were never to be fulfilled. Yet that is the funny thing, in reading this book I am struck by the fact that Doherty was not really concerned with a career in football, at one of the greatest clubs in Europe, in fact when offered a 5 year contract said he would much rather sign for 3 years....who in their right mind would ever suggest this? Adrian Doherty's talent meant that whether he liked it or not his wonderful footballing skills meant being sought after by top premiership (1st division) clubs. Do not be mislead a young Adrian loved playing football and he was exceptionally good at it but if football had not been present in his life he was more than happy to busk, play his guitar and write poetry and lyrics that the great Bob Dylan would have been proud of. When the knee injury destroyed his career he was content to live the life of a hippy/hobo dwelling for short times in places and cities (his choice of Preston to live was the result of sticking a pin in a map!) And yet there were still wonderful times ahead, the folk scene in New York and surprisingly the city of Galway which was the home of dreamers and would be poets and artists.

His death, just like his life, was unconventional and very sad as he slipped or tripped into a canal in Holland rescued but never emerging from a coma. There are those who say that Manchester United let down their young football genius by failing to deliver the home from home environment that was promised but I do not agree. They treated as well as they could given the standard and success or otherwise of knee operations at the time and finally, when the sharp skill and potential he showed never really returned, they reluctantly let him go. United were fast emerging as one of the greatest teams in the world, and Alex Ferguson as their manager had to control and direct this emergence which often meant making hard commercial decisions.

This is an exceptional sad story, and without the research and persistence of Oliver Kay so many would have been unaware of the impact and legacy that Adrian Doherty left in his short time here. Highly recommended

[Sadia Alam Ulhaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary story of an exceptional young man, it was a truly mind-blowing read.
I cannot say I am a football fan whatsoever but it this book was very easy to follow and had me in tears towards the end.
It's really well written and you get a real sense of how Adrian Doherty must have come across to his peers and those that knew him as a very talented and a true genius.
I definitely recommend this book - for footballers and non-footballers alike - an out-of-this-world type of a true story!
Well done Oliver Kay, for putting this together.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best football books I have read in quite a while. It asks a number of important questions that have never been satisfactorily answered about the culture surrounding the game, as well as significant questions with regard to Adrian Doherty. Some of the following are paraphrases of Holt's own questions on page 372.

First. Why should a player, destined to be on a par with the likes of Ryan Giggs be quietly dispensed with after sustaining an injury while representing the club.
Second (and this is only lightly dealt with in the book but is a big problem in the game) why do we allow (and in some clubs (both professional and amateur) encourage deliberate foul play against skilful players. To make reference to my own sport; Sydney Roosters have just introduced a small but immensely skilful half-back called Sam Walker. On the main critical forum of the game in Australia (NRL 360) the supposed intelligent and informed (and certainly influential) pundits laughed at the way the Cronulla forwards targeted him in his debut game and salivated at the prospect that faces him in the next match in Melbourne where he will be targeted by even bigger (dirtier) forwards. (Melbourne under Craig Bellamy have been so effective in causing serious injury by playing within the law but outside the spirit of the game that several laws have had to be changed to prevent it. To bring it back to Adrian Doherty. Carlisle United deliberately set out to stop Doherty. The result, a career ending tackle aged 17.
Third. Why did it take Manchester United 5 months to diagnose a cruciate ligament problem? Why did they allow him to return to action while it was still damaged and why did it take over a year for a (botched) operation on the knee?
Fourth. Why was Doherty simply released by the club rather than being given time to fully rehabilitate himself given that he was showing promising signs shortly before the end? And why did the club say that he left of his own accord. Manchester United were several times less that honest and several other times acted in away that is at odds with their claim to be a great and honourable club.
Fifth. Why was so little done to protect Adrian and the other young players from the culture of intimidation and humiliation that was typical of many clubs at the time and several clubs to this day?
Sixth. Has football become victim of attracting people from certain sections of our society and culture for so long that it is incapable of accepting those who are different; such as the academically-minded, those from an Asian background or LGBTQ.
Seventh. If the huge rewards in football are for talent then why do some make a fortune while equally talented or more talented players whose careers are destroyed by a combination of injury and a failure of duty of care get next to nothing?

If you like football books about successful players at successful clubs. Books which follow the format of "I was never very good at school as a boy but I was good at football ... I am still good at football." ten you probably won't like this book much. If however you love the game and wish it to improve then you will like this book very much. It says more than all the biographies of the successful put together.

God bless Adrian Doherty. Right up there with Law, Best and Charlton in my book.

[Rick Burin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the best sporting biography I've read, and yet it's about a man who played just a month of professional football, and that in Ireland, years after the injury that wrecked his career. But whereas the tragedy of Ben Thornley's story is that he had so little in his life except football, the tragedy of this one is that Doherty had so much, and yet died so young.

Kay's book is sensitive, nuanced, tragic but – in the midst of that – uplifting. It's about a man who lived his life by defying every cliche, not through genius (though he was certainly talented), but through honesty, and the author does a superb job of articulating Doherty's complexities and contradictions, while swerving the pitfalls and temptations of this genre, from synthetic sentimentalism to pat theories.

He writes exhilaratingly about football and superbly about character, only occasionally misordering his discoveries, or leaning on alliteration in place of truth. I really loved this, and it moved me very deeply.

[Mancman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should preface this with the admission that I’m not a Man Utd fan, so felt no particular affinity with that side of things.
I was drawn to the book in an intrigued way, I’d heard things about Doc, so thought this might fill in the gaps.
It does, but it’s not a great read.
I felt it could have been condensed into a book half the size.
I’ve just read done other reviews and they’re giving it 5 stars, “great first half of the book” etc.
Wow, for me the first half was atrocious. It felt like Groundhog Day every chapter. Was the book sponsored by Bob Dylan? I got the idea that he was a Bob Dylan fan about 10 pages in, no need to constantly reference it.
But it’s written by a journalist, so I guess what do you expect?
There is an interesting story in here, it just needs editing. In the light of done footballers behaviour it’s refreshing to read a story about the very antithesis to that.

[Godowd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book would have been 5 stars except for,

1. Repitition of the point that he was not concerned with money or that he is happy go lucky ... this is constant throughout the book - I think we get that point the first time mentioned.
2. The chapters dealing with the family's dealings with Utd are poorly put together whereas the last full chapter nails the book.

Better than your normal book but with a little editing could have been epic.

[Russell George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a biography of a young man who sadly died, tragically and accidentally, while travelling in the Netherlands. What makes it interesting, and him interesting, is that he essentially had two lives: the first as an outstanding youth player in the 1980s at Manchester United, where but for injury he would have made his debut at 17, and the second as a sort of roaming troubadour, writing poetry and playing music as he bummed around from job to job.

I think I’d heard of Adrian Doherty before this, but I hadn’t realised quite who he was. Much of the book is about what a nice, unassuming, funny and talented person he was. Doherty was the most atypical young footballer, reading widely and with little interest in clothes or cars. He was also faster and arguably more skilful than Ryan Giggs, who took his place in the first team when Doherty picked up the injury that essentially ended his injured.

I also hadn’t realised that Doherty passed away.

It sounds mean to say it, but the main problem with this book is that it’s probably too long. It felt repetitive at times, and in need of a stronger editorial hand. The final section also deals with the issue of whether United treated Doherty fairly in the aftermath of his injury. Doherty’s family don’t think so, and they probably have cause to feel let down. But in the 1980s injuries were often misdiagnosed, and the duty of care shown by football clubs wasn't the same as it is today. Doherty wasn’t the first to be victim of either, although it doesn't sound like he was bitter about his football career. As such, this final section feels like it takes the book in a different direction, out of kilter with its subject, but rather with an eye to how the book could be publicised when it was published.

[Pete Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting and entertaining read, which for me is the main criteria for giving 5 stars, but it's not without its flaws. I think it's too one-sided on the issue of Man United's medical treatment of Doherty after his cruciate injury. I sum it up as "different times", this was a year or two before the football revolution that became the Premier League and the huge money thrown at the clubs via broadcast deals, from which medical facilities benefited hugely.
To be fair, Oliver Kay does make this point, but not nearly strongly enough. Also Doherty, lovely chap that he was, obviously gave off the vibe that football was not the be all and end all for him. He was diligent in his rehabilitation but clearly was not the pushy type, in the same way that a more 'typical' footballer who eats, breathes, lives football might have been. (Okay we're talking young apprentices here but I think the point still stands). As many at the club admitted, Doherty was very well liked, but he was different in an otherwise very conformist environment and the people who should have had his best interests at heart I guess just didn't quite know how to treat him or what to make of him. Again, 'different times', this would probably not happen now.
Negligence? Yes. Legally actionable negligence? Definitely not. The book leaves that second question at best open. Doherty's brilliance was on the pitch, once he was off it I think he was slightly forgotten about due to his low profile and perhaps (wrongly) perceived indifference.

[Erlend Bergsagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to footballbooks I have a great fascination in reading the books where the dream takes another turn and the protagonist suddenly faces great changes and other difficulties
Not always the ones about the star who made it and has great success. (but I read some of them as well) And a lot about Liverpool F.C:

This book is well worth a read. You don't even need to be a football fan.
It is about a footballer with great gifts and a lot of people says that he is better than his teammate in the youth team of Manchester United, Ryan Giggs.
Today not that many knows about Adrian Doherty.
He got injured in his knee just before he was set to have his debut on the A-team in a premier leagu game.
Besides his football skills he enjoyed litterature, poems and playing his guitar.

[Paul Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Adrian Docherty but the cover intimated reasonable story and hence I tried the book. It reads well up to the demise of his football career and then descends into not quite a witch hunt but is fairly derogatory of Man Utd and football as a whole and their treatment of footballers who are injured.
The story sort of summed up my opinion of the more senior clubs and their apparent attitude to young footballers. Unfortunately the author continually expresses how good the player was, how good he could have been and, and, and... Hence it became somewhat a moan at times and lost some of its potential

[Lee Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary book charting the eccentric life of an exceptional Irish footballer whose flickering flame burned for a tragically short time.

Adrian Doherty was destined for stardom and illuminated the lives of all who knew him.

But it was all over before it really began and as 'Doc' twinkles down from the stars, Oliver Kay has written a fitting tribute to the Strabane lad who could run like the wind but would rather blow with it.

This is real lump in the throat stuff but as good as football biographies get.

[Naoise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read of a young player who seemed to have the world at his feet only to have it cruelly taken away from him just as he was about to make his entrance on the world stage and the long and ultimately failed struggle to get back there

A story that would of devastated most young players but not Adrian Doherty. A truly unique individual who had many other interests including music, poetry and travel and once it was obvious his football career was over he just moved on to other things

[Christopher Prew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating and absorbing account of a footballer whom nobody but die-hard supporters of Manchester United has probably heard of,but,if not for a terrible twist of fate,everyone would have been blown away by. This is the story of a player who would have lived up to the tag "The next George Best". Everyone should read this.

[Tazio Agrela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for any football fan.

A fantastic insight into the life not only of Aidrian Doherty but many of the footballers I admired growing up. A great insight into a unique footballer, an intriguing and sad story, wonderfully written and painstakingly researched.

Well done Mr Kay.

[Colin Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic but also life-affirming. Doherty may have passed too soon, after an injury prematurely ended his professional football career, but he seemed to understand what was important in life and enjoyed the short time he had whether playing football or busking on the street.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different football book and therefore worth a read.

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Adrian Doherty so had no idea how his life panned out when sitting down to read this. He was a well liked, talented young man and the ending really took me by surprise. Very good.

[Samuel James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick and easy read - I wish it had gone on for longer.

The Doc's story is one I'm glad has been told, and one I wish was still unfolding.

[Richard Lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, respectful, informative and a wonderful tribute to a talent the world missed out on seeing, whichever path he might have chosen.

[Paul McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written on a subject I knew nothing about

[Andy Cumming · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story that could have been told in half the pages.

[Michael Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Starts great, but it just felt a bit samey after a while - like it could have done with a bit of an edit.
Still, well written, brilliantly researched and a tale I was glad to have been told, even if it was very sad.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the story of Adrian Doherty was a captivating experience that took me through the life of an extraordinary gentleman and footballer. As a lifelong Man Utd fan from Lebanon, I wasn't familiar with Adrian's story until I came across an article about him in one of England's daily newspapers almost 2 years ago. A football prodigy who wrote poetry and played folk music (Bob Dylan specifically) was enough to make me want to know more and this book came at the right moment.

The story is wonderfully written and carefully researched. Oliver Kay tells it as if he was there, among Adrian's numerous friends from Strabane to Manchester, Preston, Galway and Holland.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read this

As a football fan I purchased this book as we all dream to play football but reality can be so different. After reading it I am inspired to live my life to the fullest, be spontaneous, appreciate those I love and treasure each day.

[matthew james · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that leaves you speechless upon completion. Can’t believe that there are people who read this and don’t give it five stars. One of the best books, of any genre, I’ve ever read.

An incredible account of an equally incredible life.

[UnCinemaDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una delle biografie sportive più belle di sempre. Sportiva forse è un termine leggermente forzato, poiché è ben più di essa. Scava alla ricerca di una verità impossibile da trovare, facendoci balzare da una parte all'altra in terra d'oltreoceano. Spesso troppo ripetitivo.

[Ankur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired. A lost spiritual soul, trapped in the prison of football.

[Šomin Novotný · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skvelej a hodne netypicky fotbalovy zivotopis. Adrian Doherty byl kluk, co byl v 16ti lepsi nez Ryan Giggs a tesne predtim, nez mel debutovat v Manchesteru United, pretrhal si krizove vazy v koleni. Coz v tom roce 90 bylo zraneni, ktere ukoncovalo karieru. A to se bohuzel stalo i jemu.

Ale jemu to vlastne ani nevadilo. Vic ho zajimala hudba a poezie. Zatimco jeho spoluhraci chodili sledovat zapasy A tymu, on sel pred Old Trafford, sve listky dal nekomu v davu a s kytarou vyrazil do centra Manchesteru hrat na chodniku pred obchodakem. :-)) Takze i k tomu, ze se nekonala hvezdna kariera ve fotbale se vyjadroval stylem: no co, jsou i jine veci v zivote...

Vtipny, vesely, chvilema hodne smutny a dojemny pribeh bohema s obrovskym talentem a bohuzel i obrovskou porci smuly...