Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer: The warmest, most charming memoir of the year

by Jamie Redknapp

'a wonderful book ... a great read' Daily Mail'a fascinating book ... I really enjoyed it' Piers Morgan, Good Morning Britain'a heart-warming, funny and insightful read. Perfect for a rainy day by the fire.' FourFourTwo magazineOne of the Guardian's 'Biggest Books of Autumn 2020''A beautiful book about football, family, friendship and finding out who you really are.' JACK WHITEHALL'One of the best books I've ever read about what it takes to become a pro.' FRANK LAMPARDFor the Redknapp clan, football is a family concern; it's the family business. Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer is a deeply moving, heartfelt and beautifully personal account of growing up as the second son of Harry Redknapp, and also an enchanting love letter to football."I'm Jamie Redknapp. Chances are my surname rings a bell. I want to introduce you to a colourful cast of characters from my formative years.Growing up, Dad and grandad 'Pop' told us tall stories from London's East End, but there was no artistic licence needed when I was actually kicking a ball about with legends like George Best, Bobby Moore, and Geoff Hurst. This book is the story of my childhood and adolescence. Like many others, I guess it's a pretty typical mix of caravans and lollies, sweaty T-shirts and paper rounds, cheese sandwiches and Glacier Mints, The A Team, E.T. and Chinese takeaways.But this is also the story of a journey through an extraordinary childhood obsession with football. One minute it was all about Shoot! magazine, endless keepy-ups and countless impromptu kickabouts. The next, I'm playing for Bournemouth Reserves against terrifying, fully-grown men. Then I got my move to Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool. I might've been living off gristly sausages and Smash potato in my dingy digs up on Merseyside, but I was living the dream. I was desperately hoping it was the start of something special. Writing Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer has helped me discover so much about myself. This book is my way of explaining who and what have made me ... well, me."

Genres: Football, Biography, Autobiography, Sports

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jemma Tickner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Redknapp truly has football running through his veins and this book explains how he achieved what he set his mind on doing from a very young age. He knew what he wanted and he worked for it even when things were tough.

A very special account of growing up and living your dreams. Being the best you can be and overcoming challenges. Very inspirational. Lots of funny tales and big names along the way.

[Mrs Moira Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Really good read Ona young boys dream that came true it really shows his felling about what he wanted for his future and he made it all come true. A good read about such a nice person.

[Kathryn Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a massive fan of Jamie Redknapp for obvious reasons, however I’m not a massive football fan. I feel this book would be great for people who have a love of football but it’s not for those who are thinking they are going to get the gossip from Jamie’s personal life. The book only goes up to the start of his career at Liverpool so you don’t get to hear about his current career with Sky Sports and League of Their Own or his marriage to Louise.

What you do get is Jamie’s passion for football and a love for his family and that is quite heartwarming.

[Jason Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully insightful book on a person who i think is one of the most underrated midfielders of his generation. The book details the highs and lows of what it takes to be a footballer. In-depth and often analytical it takes you on a journey every young footballer could only dream of. Having a father that was in the business as well as a supporting family made all the difference. Well worth a read :)

[Bill McFadyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Son of Harry and brought up in the company of the West Ham World Cup winners Jamie led an whirlwind teenage football life.
This book shows a hard working , family supporter lad navigating the pitfalls of English football.
An interesting read - but maybe for those interested in football not the general reader.

[Mr Tony Portelli Mrs Simone Portelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Thoroughly enjoyable, a great insight to Jamie's love for football, his families support and great friendships made. This book brought back many memories of the music, clothes and my playing days in the 80's, couldn't put it down.

[Tommo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but could be better I think!🔴👍

[Domhnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything containing Harry Redknapp is a must read.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jamie, he's one of my favourite tv personalities. So this book was a must read on my list. 100% recommend if you like football and funny anecdotes ❤

[David]

Excellent and fun read

[Karen Gilpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Liverpool fan I loved this book.

[Spencer Preece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Smashed through it quickly. Hopefully there's a follow up because this story ends with his first goal for Liverpool.

[Natascha Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into a footballers childhood and what it takes to become a top professional.

[Jack Youd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book I wasn't really sure what to expect but what it was was something very interesting and enjoyable. The book was certainly unique going into the depths of growing up trying to break into football. Normally football books just touch up on their youth so to read something going in depth was extremely interesting. Great read.

[R I N I 🫧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Extra read 2020

[Simon Pert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, a real insight in to what goes on in the footballing world that we don’t see or hear about. Always rated Jamie Redknapp as a footballer, later a pundit but as a guy as well. The book comes across as sincere and honest and it is a treat for all those who love the footballing world.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got to be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for this book. I thought it was gonna be “I’m Jamie, I used to play football now I’m on TV” but it’s better than that, a sweet, well-written book about what it takes to become a professional footballer. I find him annoying on TV but none of that comes through in this book, definitely one of the better footballer biographies I have read

[Marmalade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved learning about the early life of 1 of my favourite players to ever pull on a Liverpool top.

[Oliver Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Jamie has great stories and the ones which talk about his father, Harry, are very entertaining.

[Jo G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome!