Hutch, Hard Work and Belief: The Tommy Hutchison Story

by Tommy Hutchison, Kevin Shannon

This is the story of how one small boy's near impossible dream became a reality. Growing up in poverty in the austere 1950s Fife coalfield, Tommy Hutchison had an unshakable belief that one day he would wear the dark blue shirt of Scotland. To an outsider it seemed an improbable ambition. Too weak to cross a ball from the byline to the goal area, the teenage Hutchison was overlooked by his teachers and never made the school football team. Through sheer determination, an indomitable spirit and hour upon hour of lonely practice, the adolescent Tommy was finally noticed by his local team, and his journey to Hampden and World Cup glory began. Tommy's football genius ultimately took him all over the world to play with and against some of the greatest footballers of the 1970s and 80s in a career spanning four amazing decades. Hutch, Hard Work and Belief is the funny yet inspiring story of how the seemingly unattainable can be achieved by unwavering, resolute self-belief.

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2022

Reviews

[Ray Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this when I noticed that Tommy Hutchison had been a guest at hospitality at East End Park and that got my attention. One of the best football biographies I have read for some time. I knew that Hutch had a long playing career, although I didn't appreciate how long (playing into his early 40s with 1000 first team appearances). A legend at every club he played for and worked with youngsters after retiring from playing, until he took full retirement. Comes over as a gentleman.