Stan Bowles: The Autobiography

by Stan Bowles

Stan Bowles was one of the greatest players of the golden age of English football, the 1970s. But like many of his contemporaries, he was probably as famous for his exploits in the bar or at the race track. Packed with irreverent and entertaining anecdotes, the book covers the ups and downs of Bowles' career, his childhood in Manchester, his early days at Man City, his heyday at QPR, and the unhappier times at Forest and Leyton Orient. A candid, and frequently hilarious tale of a life at the bar with the cream of 1970s British football, Stan  The Autobiography is an unflinching account of Stan's struggles and successes.

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan Bowles The Autobiography bejesus

First question that needs to be answered is who
is Stan Bowles and why read his autobiography?
Well he was one of my footballing heroes and one
of the most skillful players this country has
ever produced.
As with any true genius Stan was truely tortured
and the Autobiography tells it all in great
style, from his upbringing in Manchester on the
hard streets and hanging out with the Quality
Street gang through signing with Manchester City
where he made his name before decking the
manager Malcolm Alison and getting sacked. Then
there is his legendary gambling addiction and
love of getting into scrapes, we go through his
career at Crewe, Carlisle and his glory years at
QPR, Nottingham Forest and Leyton Orient.
Throughout the time Stan is gambling everything
and more of what he earns on the pitch finding
and losing wives and hanging out in all the
right and wrong places getting arrested and
being invited on stage by Phil Lynott.
My favourite story in the book concerns Phil
Lynott as Stan was hanging out with him when his
old Quality Street Gang friends got back to
London from prison that Phil turned into the
Boys Are Back In town.
After his retirement he was broke and homeless
when he got taken in and helped out by Ronnie
Wood, but then that's the kind of circles Stan
was in off the pitch, even when he had no money
he could always find someone to help him out,
and as he says he has always lived from day to
day.
This book is a fascinating insight into one of
Footballs more wayward genius' who if he was
playing today would never be allowed to get away
with what he did both on and off the pitch.
Thoroughly recommended for Football nuts.

[Duncan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legend. Love the 1970s - in some ways, better days than now.