Only Here For A Visit: A Life Lived to the Full – from Sporting Glories to Wild Stories

by Alan Brazil

'The only book that will give you a hangover' Chris Evans Breakfast Show
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The hilarious, no holds barred autobiography from sporting legend and broadcaster Alan Brazil.

As Alan recounts tales from his extraordinary life, he relives the sporting occasions, radio broadcasts and famously long drinking sessions that have defined his career. He takes readers inside the talkSPORT studio for a behind-the-scenes view of his most memorable interviews, and talks for the first time about the on-pitch rivalries and dressing room debriefs of his footballing career.

With his typically outspoken and irreverent delivery, Alan shares everything from his thoughts on how the sports he loves have changed to his top tips for picking winners (and many losers) at Cheltenham. And he revels in wine-soaked jaunts in the South of France and late-night supermarket sweeps with Ray Parlour - if you can keep up.

Packed full of never-before-told stories, refreshing appraisals, sporting controversy and a cast of larger-than-life characters, this is a brutally honesty and wickedly funny insight into an extraordinary life.

Genres: Football

272 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2020

Reviews

[Chris Organ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire Alan Brazil’s TalkSport breakfast show and his relatively fearless broadcasting style. It was a great shame that he was cut from 5 shows a week to 2 and currently Friday’s show with the Romford Pele, Ray Poodle Parlour is the only one I listen to . However this slim, big type sprint through his life was a major disappointment . Whilst he makes clear in the book that he will not care what I or anyone else thinks about him (why should he) I cannot help but feel that “A Life Lived to the Full” was a little misleading . Booze, mates, racing and family seem to be the current mainstays of the Brazil existence and he certainly seems to make the most of all of them whilst earning a few quid from the radio and public speaking and perhaps that is all that matters . I was left with the feeling that the life he describes has been a little self centred and one dimensional and that he may be a man out of time which happens to most of us. It was a shame that the book was so brief and superficial and whilst I came out of it agreeing with most of the things he said about the current malaise of world football I ended up not liking him as much as I thought I would. To repeat he will not care about that at all. Cheers

[Mark Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read with some good stories about old pros. I find myself agreeing with most of his insights about current footballers, VAR, tackling, diving etc.

[kerry turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this one for xmas. I really liked it. I never realised how much this man has actually done and achieved in life. Having also gone through a lot of personal stuff. Great read ! And I still love listening to talk sport, a lot because of this man 😁

[Lawrence Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like a football autobiographies and generally find them hugely enjoyable and an easy read and finish them in a couple of days. Usually the ones associated with Manchester United of course being a life long fan and growing up in Manchester.

Alan Brazil’s book is no exception. He played for Ipswich under Bobby Robson, then Spurs and afterwards a brief spell at Manchester United.

There are the fascinating behind the scenes stories about his football career and now his broadcasting life. Of course he lived in Hale when at Man Utd and talks about the places I know well, Mere Golf Club, Knutsford.

Alan comes across as a very positive guy who lives in the moment and grateful for what he has. His career was ended early by injury and yet he has no resentment. A bon viveur most definitely and someone who likes his champagne, Barolo, the races and of course football.

If you are a football fan then this is a great read for a rainy day or sitting by the pool in Marbella.

[Alan Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard Stuff

Engaging read although I cannot agree with Brazil’s politics. His radio shows are more entertaining. Better when he was talking about his exploits rather than his views and opinions.

[Tyrone Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

With most autobiographies, especially ones put out by athletes, you can tell within a page whether it was written by the person themselves or with the aid of a collaborator. I'm not a stickler if it is the former as long as I am entertained but there is something altogether fresher and more interesting if it is from the pen of the name on the cover. This is very much the case with Only Here For A Visit (2020) by ex-footballer and now legendary radio host Alan Brazil whose conversational and blunt style oozes out from the pages from first to last. He covers his beginnings in Glasgow and the Celtic Boys Club (and yes, the young Brazil had an encounter with the now very infamous paedofile ring that ran it), his top-level career at Ipswich, Spurs and Man Utd and then his lengthy and ongoing spell as the voice of TalkSPORT radio. I liked this book because I like Brazil. I don't agree with some of his opinions but I respect them as I do his confidence to share them and some of his stories are very funny. The title is fitting for the man, he really does live in the moment and recognises his blessings as well as his own hard work. And hard drinking. Man, this man can drink. A good read.

[Gary B Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent visit

Alan Brazil is an engaging character who has managed to stay at the top of his game for the last 20 years. His story shows a talent that people might have an overlooked but he has deserved his success. I enjoyed some of the insights about how management have reduced his output as usually you notice but never know why. Same with losing Georgie Bingham at the weekend. Talksport does evolve well but the people you enjoy listening to can be removed at any time and you do miss them. Keyes and Gray, Ronnie Irani as well. The Talksport book didn't really go into depth about these changes but Alan does give hints towards them at least. I read this in two days. Would recommend to any Talksport listener. And management.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this more than I expected but my expectations were low. Remember Alan Brazil's playing days from the brief highlights on telly, when most games weren't filmed for highlights, never mind shown live. It was good to read that he enjoyed his football days, which were curtailed early due to back problems and he has been so lucky to slip into the world of radio like he was meant for it. Likes a drink and likes to gamble. Not scared to voice his opinion which is fine by me, even if our politics are at different ends of the spectrum but, as I say, if we all liked the same thing then life would be very dull. No one can call Alan Brazil dull

[David Boland · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the book was looking for more got less, too many drinking stories and about how good a drinker Alan is “why” and others Re not so so good

The early storie about the footballing days are fine, then the drinking stories took over how he was better at drinking than some of his guests and about being able to work and drink thinking it never got in the way of a show. Good luck to the man, done well for himself however the drinking got in the way of what could have been a good book.

[Joe Stephenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alan has lived life to the full, in fact, he may have overflowed life at times! A thoroughly entertaining romp through a life well lived, his views are often a bit non-PC and drinking stories are often somewhat purile (nakedness for example), but don't let this distract from a fun read.

Take this as a warning though, a lot of the first half of the book is very similar to Both Barrells From Brazil, by Alan Brazil.

[Martyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decent bloke

Although I've never listened to Alan Brazil on the radio,I do remember him as part of an excellent Ipswich side when I was young. I found this an easy and enjoyable book to read with some good stories, although if Alan missed out his tales of drinking and gambling on horses i'd imagine the book would have been finished in about 20 minutes.
As a mark of respect I decided to write this review after finishing a bottle of wine 😂

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd enjoyed Mr Brazil's first autobiography 15 years ago, co-written with Mike Parry in his tabloidese style. No co-writer on this new biography and it feels more in Al's voice, don't worry about that…

The first third is interesting going through the dark days at Celtic Boys Club, his playing days and injury problems. Porky Parry thankfully still features in many of the funny talksport stories.

[Colin Oaten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating autobiography of the life of football great and broadcasting legend Alan Brazil, renowned wit and raconteur. As hilarious as you could imagine from listening to his TalkSport breakfast show, he shares some of the funnier stories of his time growing up in Scotland to his time playing for Ipswich, Spurs and Man United and his time in radio.

[Tom Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun bloke living life to the max his way. Not that he's always right but he's clear that they are his views and he doesn't expect everyone to agree.
The book is like a drinkers diary of booze ups and mess ups but Alan tells it well and the stories are genuinely entertaining and usually offer some insight as well as being humorous.
Bottoms Up!!

[B J Wonnacott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love life,love racing,love football and absolutely love your show

Alan fantastic read and your outlook on life is awesome. Love my racing and football and would love your outlook on life. Read both your books and you are a legend. My ambition is to meet you in the beer tent at Cheltenham.

[Glenn Entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutepy love Alan on the radio in the morning, he has got me through more journeys than I care to remember and this book doesn't fail to live up to the big man. Some great stories and a bit of deeper thought in there at times as well. Highly recommend 👌

[Newfad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quick romp through the life of Brazil. All good until, as i expected, he tries to pass off his shallow social comments and political views. Thinks hes got all the answers because of his background and media position, sadly he hasn't got a clue.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book about the life of Alan Brazil. Mainly on his talk sport career. It was great to see what Alan got up to and the funny stories he has to share. No doubt he would be a great after dinner speaker. Very enjoyable

[Dave B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alan's talksport show and like his views. This book is very easy reading with nothing startling about his life, nothing deep about his time as a footballer or pundit, just a leisurely stroll through his career.

[Henry Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay read. Relatively funny but only so many times you can hear an anecdote about drinking a lot and nearly missing your shift and nearly getting sacked. At the end he goes on a weird tangent where he starts to preach about Boris Johnson and why he votes Tory but other than that an ok read

[John Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book from the big man who certainly lives live how it should be lived. If you like his show you really should read this book.

[Chris Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories of his time at talksport and his footballing past. A must for all sports fans.

[Robert Hinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit of fun

If you are a fan of Mr Brazil radio show you will enjoy this book of stories and scrapes through his life.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

A down to earth insight into the life of a football and broadcasting legend.

I liked this book throughout and, although light and straightforward, it was an interesting and easy read that I enjoyed.

[A W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listen to Alan so much that I think I knew most of the stories in his book already, which is why I marked it down a bit. Top man.

[Spencer Preece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some wild stories in this one.

[David Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific banter really enjoyed it 👍

[Ali Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! An insight into the life of a footballer who retired through injury at just 27 and landed on his feet to become one of Britain’s favourite broadcasters.

[Neil Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Brazil

Just like listening to Alan on the breakfast show, full of old stories , and some new ones, and good craik

[Sagar Acharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A amazing funny and hilarious book about his career and life. I really enjoyed this book the man's a Legend.