King Eric: Portrait Of The Artist Who Changed English Football

by Wayne Barton

Once voted by Manchester United fans as the greatest player in the club’s history, Eric Cantona is still immortalised in song around Old Trafford more than two decades after he abruptly retired from football aged just 30. King Eric is an original and exhaustive exploration of the Frenchman’s colourful career during the 1990s. Featuring fresh interviews with club legends and those closest to the action, it chronicles Cantona’s transformative impact on a club desperately chasing a first league title since 1967. From the untold story of his initial arrival in snowy South Yorkshire to the inside track on his all-conquering reign at Old Trafford, respected Manchester United author Wayne Barton re-examines the life and legacy of a unique character who changed the landscape of English football forever.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2020

Reviews

[Matt Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure. Wayne was pushing against an open door when writing this book. From his magnifique performances on the pitch to his searing quote in 2009’s Looking for Eric where he played his strongest acting role as…himself, ‘I am not a man…I am Cantona’ Wayne writes about Cantona with clarity, authority and, most importantly, a passion we still feel for the man that even the sneering Liam Gallagher was awestruck by after he agreed to be in his video for Once, but refused any payment:
"What a geezer. Just because he loves the song. That's what real legends are about,"

As we fade into high-collared moments of attractively arrogant theatre, Wayne chronicles those iconic moments with empathy and style but, as he takes a step back to admire the essence of Eric, he also shows us how Cantona was a catalyst for the team, the club and, bestriding pre and the post-Premier League years, the English game.
After reading this book, you may feel old, but more blessed that you saw first-hand a man who would pop into his local pub for a pint, leave the game on his terms and speak the mind of a true, glorious renegade.
Excellent work, Mr Barton

[Brian Guiney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

Fantastic account of the enigma that is King Eric. Some excellent stories I hadn't heard and brings back some great memories.

[Nicolas Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immense degree of research!