Ask A Footballer

by James Milner

Ever wondered what it's REALLY like to be a Premier League footballer?

James Milner is a talismanic member of Liverpool's Champions League winning side, and he is writing this book with the help of award-winning author Oliver Kay, Chief Football Correspondent for The Times.

As a hugely experienced England international and top-flight campaigner (18 seasons as a pro, more than 500 Premier League appearances with Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool), James is perfectly placed to answer fans' footballing questions in a wonderfully entertaining and informative journey through the thrills and spills, the peaks and troughs of high-level professional football.

Milner will explore the daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms of life at the top of his profession, the physical and psychological demands, the accolades and rewards which come from being successful, and the disappointments which inevitably follow if you come second best.

He'll take fans into the gym and physio's room and out onto the training ground, into the dressing-room and tunnel, and out onto the pitch to show fans what he experiences each week in this personable, funny and often hilariously self-deprecating book.

Featuring fans' most burning questions put to a consummate professional, and a Premiership manager's go-to player in an on-pitch crisis, this is the book that lifts the pro's lid on the beautiful game.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction, Sports, Biography, Soccer, Biography Memoir, Memoir

313 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2019

Reviews

[Sumit Singla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like James Milner himself, this book is solid, but not spectacular.

Milner might just be the best free transfer that Liverpool ever made. He's hardworking, committed, and intelligent. And of course, like Football Manager 2020 describes him - tireless! He's played in various positions and always put himself on the line to win matches.

This book, in a Q&A format is an unassuming account from a humble footballer. Milner manages to poke fun at himself with references to tea, Ribena, and @BoringMilner. However, the second half drags along a bit and also I didn't appreciate the reference where Milner refers to letting his missus sleep with the lads. #sexist

However, overall the book is an honest account of his footballing life and a lot of other aspects therein.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful read. I loved the insight into the world of the footballer. Cleared some opinions of mine. Have a few questions i would have loved to ask myself

[Lewis Isbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring Milner

[Lakhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this 2/3months ago had a lot of wild stories in there from a footballer who seems dry on the outside

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t typically read books by football players (or really athletes of any kind for that matter), but this book was great. Obviously you should be at least some what interested in the EPL (English Premier League) and ideally James Milner if you decide to read Ask A Footballer. Written in the format of questions and short to long answers, it gives light to many questions I’ve had about the life of a footballer (and many I didn’t know I wanted to know until reading them).

[Ad Basset · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like a manual for a professional footballer and a unique outlook on the modern football aspects.
James Milner has had his moments in the game, he won a lot of trophies, played a lot of games in the top flight and had his lows too especially with the England Team.
+James Milner is not Boring at all.

[Laura-leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read that repeats itself a lot and skims the surface of life as a professional footballer. Interesting but nothing that will stay with you. More on the 2.5 side of 3 stars.

[Jon Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant, not an autobiography but rather a Q&A of Jimmy's views on everything from football upbringing to his thoughts on Ribena. A must read for any football fan, especially fans of Newcastle, Leeds, Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, England and not forgetting Swindon

[Matt Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Milner, a model professional footballer with a great career, told in his own words. The format was interesting with him answering questions put to him by fans and fellow players about his time in the game

[Pranay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not boring at all. A smart glimpse into the life of a modern footballer. Not pathbreaking but still heartfelt and warm enough to transport you into the life that professional athletes lead.

[Jude Ripin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this unique QnA type of book from one of football Mr. Versatile. Having won the 2019 Champion League at Madrid last June 2019, James Milner has won everything there is to win at Club football. Looking forward to see him lift the 2020 Premier League title with Liverpool once the season resumes. Looking forward to see LFC win more trophies with him still in the team💪💪💪 🏆 🏆 🏆

[Mark Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you'd like an insight into the way footballers think and have to go through, it's a great read.

[David Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a biography but a book created from a call for questions from fans (and a few colleagues).

There is a little bit of biography, covering his debut and a little about his support from his parents but most is about training and the general lifestyle of a modern day professional footballer. Plus a small amount of reaction from a few key games and movement between clubs.

James Milner is obviously a good, dedicated professional footballer. The sort who you would love to have at your club whether as a supported or manager. He also seems to be a decent individual, someone you would like to have as a neighbour.
That and the spoof social media account that presents him as an overly boring individual has turned him into something of a national icon.

Sadly the book is a little bit like that persona. Worthy but a bit dull. Anecdotes are ok but no great insight or are particularly funny...he alludes to banter between players but obviously doesn't want to offend anyone; he doesn't want to use the book to have a go at anyone other than to rebut criticism from fans such as over his move to Liverpool or that he has a grudge against Messi.
He doesn't want to talk about his family, which is fair enough but when you are charging money for a (fairly slim) book a bit more depth and colour should be delivered.

I wanted to like this book and at times it was ok but by the end I was glad to get it finished and move onto something more interesting instead.
Still love him as a footballer.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graeme Souness was quoted as saying ‘You will not win anything with a team of James Milners’; this may be so but Milner has been in the premiership for over 17 years (other than a month at Swindon on loan) which is no mean feat in this day and age so he must be doing something right. What it is, well Ask A Footballer gave me an insight into part of this Yorkshireman’s success, mentality and drive to perform at the top flight of English football.

His passion for the beautiful game leaps of the page. He’s loved football from an early age going to games at Elland Road with his dad and playing football in the school playground before joining a local team.

It’s very different to other memoirs I’ve read. But it’s not a memoir really. It’s like a Q&A session, smattered with anecdotes. The little recollections jump around Milner’s career (which isn’t over yet). The story about him sharing with Robertson in Evian and the sleep talk recording app made me giggle. I really liked the chapter when Jordan Henderson asks the questions – they’re slightly less random than those fans have asked as Hendo knows Milner.

As it was published late 2019, he doesn’t cover off the past 12 months, playing behind closed doors, winning the league, his rather entertaining Insta posts during Lockdown #1. This is a fascinating (and definitely not boring) insight into the life of a premier league footballer. This entertaining read would appeal to any football fan or sports fan.

[Kurt Lewin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite a traditional autobiography but it basically is one in all but name as Milner addresses various questions about his career and what it takes to be a top level footballer. With the format of the book, it doesn't really go into his childhood at all like normal autobiographies do, it just focuses on his time as a footballer. There were some interesting stories from his various clubs and it was fun to discover his toughest opponents, favourite team mates and managers etc and insight into how players and managers deal with various situations. With him still being a current player, he doesn't really stick the boot into anyone, not in a way where he names people anyway, so it's not particularly juicy in that sense. I can imagine this being an even better and inspirational read for any aspiring young footballers as Milner is the consummate professional offering a perfect example of what is needed to fulfil your potential as a player.

[Sugarpunksattack Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Milner is extremely hard working, funny, and honest all qualities that shine in his first book. I say first book because I'm hopeful that he will write more. 'Ask a Footballer' is formatted as a series of questions grouped together by subject. Milner provides lots of insights into his own career and also into what it means to be a footballer in general. Although I think its clear that Milner is very honest, there are parts where it feels like he holds back and/or really could elaborate but chooses not to. I suspect there is deliberate omission of stuff because he is still a footballer, which is why I hope he writes another book maybe getting into more detail about his career and insights into even individual games. As always with books I really like, I wish it was so much longer.

[Deepti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a tad bit disappointed by the book. Probably, because, much to Milners annoyance, I am a fan of Boring Milners Tweets and have always found Milners' tweets quite hilarious. Remember the one where King Kenny got knighted and the Queen had the ceremonial sword quite close to his head and Milly tweeted, Careful, that's our king with that hilarious pic.

Anyways, a mostly serious, sincere read in the form of Q&As. It was a delight to read of Milly's journey from a young lad to who he is now. Vice Cap of Liverpool, amazing human. * I don't want to think of him gone to Brighton , given, he is my fav player at Liverpool.

[Abhilash Varma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I am. A huge Liverpool fan so my review might see biased. But I have also tried to balance it out with logic into it. Read on-

Really good book that gives u insight more about how life of a footballer is that too coming from a player who has played for multiple clubs in probably the best league. If you are a die heard football fan, you would be able to relate to it but if u are also a Liverpool fan, yiu will completely understand what he is talking. No non-sensical book with Milner at the top of his witty play. Highly recommend it for a good read.

[Jason Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unusual and very interesting read as the way it was laid out was unique. Its set out as more of a Q and A session than an actual book. Its well put together in sections relating to football and a lot of the analysis while brief is humorous. A lot of the questions were genuinely asked by the public with some thrown in from various players and friends of James Milner himself. Its a good read but there are better books out there. Read this if you like the Peter Crouch books, its just as revealing.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read where Milner's personality and humility shone through from start to finish. It's not quite an autobiography as it's in the form of questions and answers however, still a very enlightening read, with some funny anecdotes along the way. I would highly recommend this book to any football fans out there who've always wondered what goes on behind closed doors, what goes through the mind in the run up to a big game or how many bottles of Ribena you can fit into the European Cup!

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for what it was which is a simple, quick insight into a lovely professional footballer.

Don’t expect much insight, intrigue or verve from this book. What you’ll find are enjoyable little anecdotes following one of the fairly stories career of James Milner. It’s quite easy to forget the amount of managers and players he’s been associated with and has multiple winners medals to show for his accomplishments.

Milner comes across as a passionate and professional player but that much was already known about him.

[Mark Andrew Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting insights into what it's like in the goldfish bowl as a professional footballer in the current climate, can also rest easy now i know how much Ribena you can fit in the European Cup! :-) consummate pro who's been a great addition to the current Liverpool FC squad, probably holding some things back for once his career on the field draws to a close, still a few years left in him I reckon.
Might have been 3 stars, only as an LFC fan I may have been biased in adding a star

[Desire Gouw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely gave me new perspectives about the lives of footballers. Solid reading. There are some stories that were repeated a few times throughout the book (maybe because of the format).
To be fair, I’m big fan of this Q&A format. You can just skip a question (or two) if you’re not interested with the topic.
But overall, it’s nice to know that James Milner is not as boring as what people might’ve thought before.

[Setu Purohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a read if you're interested in football (soccer). The QnA format is really appealing, it allows the author to touch on topics he normally wouldn't have, had he been writing in the conventional way. James Milner is a Premier League Legend, having won everything under the sun.
P.S. As a Liverpool fan I may be a bit biased, but I genuinely think anyone reading it will understand football better regardless of the team one supports.

[David Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did exactly what it said on the tin. James Milner, consummate professional footballer answer chosen question from fans.

Not exciting but factual no frills answers, from someone who has played professional football for more years than most!

My only issue was that he named no one when he was being critical although, in fairness, showed true ethical character, even if it did take away some of the fun of the book!

[Jack D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheap and cheerful little book. As a big fan of Milners playstyle and attitude it was nice to get an insight into the life of a footballer through his eyes. His humility really came through and appreciate him giving a little bit of gossip on various players over the years. I also liked the format of answering questions as opposed to an A-B story of his life. Only complaint would be the amount of repetition of anecdotes/stories, but otherwise a fun and quick read.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book in the way that it describes many stories that can be funny, serious or helpful in so much detail. This means it's quite informative and useful for a person who wants to become a footballer or just loves learning different stories that have occurred within the sport. One problem I had was that I felt it was a bit annoying how some of the stories about players he played with were anonymous. Overall, though, this book was a good read and was not boring at all.

[Matthew Cottam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid enjoyable read end to end. If you're a Liverpool fan, or a fan of Millie, you'll be sure to like this book, as he gives little insights into the team and the life of a football.

A few things are repeated throughout, but overall it's fun, light-hearted, and about as Millie as a book could get.

Cheers Millie

[Megat Aiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

If youre like me who reads biographies for the inside stories, then this book might slightly disappoint you. It feels like Milly is holding himself from giving his most honest opinions on his time at Liverpool since he's still playing. But to be fair the book never claimed to be a biography. It's still a fun read as a peek into his career & life.

[Piers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the player, a solid effort

James Milner is one of the most dedicated and down to Earth footballers to be found. Here he answers a variety of questions from members of the public along with the odd team mate and journo, ranging from the practicalities of life as a footballer, his career experiences, and the odd but of silliness. He seems like a lovely bloke.