Old School: A Proper Football Education

by Mark Patterson, Kevin O'Hara

Mark Patterson played almost 500 league games in an 18-year career and, as documented in his funny, down-to-earth and thought-provoking autobiography Old School, his time as a professional footballer straddled two eras. At 18, he played for his hometown team Blackburn Rovers against Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United at a century-old St James' Park. He later battled with Paul Gascoigne at Middlesbrough's shiny new Riverside Stadium, a month before Gazza was sensationally omitted from England's World Cup squad. He played in dilapidated stadiums, with and against proper 'old school' footballers, and later had a taste of the promised land of the 'new school' after helping Bolton Wanderers rise from the third tier and into the Premiership. Patterson played for some of English football's proudest football clubs, including Blackburn, Preston North End, Bolton and Sheffield United, and had two spells at now-defunct Bury. As his career fizzled out, so did his bank balance and marriage. Divorce and bankruptcy followed. But his old school spirit got him through...

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2022

Reviews

[Mahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proper old-school footballers autobiography with all the stories and banter that you would expect

[Daniel Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read with some great stories and lads banter along the journey. A real honest account of life’s ups and downs and a solid recommendation to purchase a copy.