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Mr Unbelievable
High jinx and japes from Soccer Saturday's roving reporter extraordinaire, Chris "Kammy" Kamara, whose boyish enthusiasm and often baffling, at-the-ground football reportage has given him cult status and an army of fans. Over the past decade, football results programme Soccer Saturday has become a television phenomenon, delivering goals and drama via a raft of ex-professional players positioned in TV studios and on precarious gangplanks in rusting stadiums around the country. At the heart of this success is free-wheeling pundit and roving reporter extraordinaire, Chris "Kammy" Kamara, the former footballer-turned-manager-turned-cult hero who has astounded and dumbfounded a legion of armchair fans with his crackpot catchphrases, hyperactive reporting style and Lionel Richie haircut. Mr Unbelievable is his rags to riches tale. As a player, Kammy trawled football's outposts with the likes of Bradford City, Stoke City and Portsmouth where he suffered the slings, arrows and hurled bananas of racial abuse. Later, during the autumn of his career, he played in Howard Wilkinson's swashbuckling Leeds team where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Eric Cantona. On hanging up his boots, he moved into the dugouts at Bradford and Stoke as manager before joining the Sky football revolution as roving reporter on Soccer Saturday and Goal On Sunday's eagle-eyed analyst, amassing a raft of catchphrases along the way. Mr Unbelievable is a hugely entertaining, moving, shocking and laugh out loud funny story of a genuine cult hero.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2010
29 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 29, 2020
This is a fun read written by a very likeable guy.
The book opens with quite a few funny stories from his Soccer Saturday experiences which it was fun to remember before going through his playing / manager career. A good laugh and an easy book to dip in and out of.
Chris speaks about his family, his experiences with racism and his confrontations with chairman.
An easy read that is written like Chris appears on television, laughing and joking all the way through. Hard to believe he was such an hardman on the pitch when you see him theses days.
The book opens with quite a few funny stories from his Soccer Saturday experiences which it was fun to remember before going through his playing / manager career. A good laugh and an easy book to dip in and out of.
Chris speaks about his family, his experiences with racism and his confrontations with chairman.
An easy read that is written like Chris appears on television, laughing and joking all the way through. Hard to believe he was such an hardman on the pitch when you see him theses days.
April 2, 2023
I guess this book would only ever appeal to those who know of Chris Kamara either through his football playing days, or as a manager, or as a TV presenter (of football!).
It is a good honest read. His voice comes over loud and clear and his stories and anecdotes are as funny as his commentaries and reports from his football matches were. He is open but not bitter about the horrendous racism in football in years gone by, almost underplaying it but managing to give the reader an honest view of how unpleasant and unacceptable it was. There is nothing to dislike about the man nor his autobiography.
In the second part of the book, he writes openly and honestly about his playing days, racism his dealings and relationships with players, managers, chairmen and others within the game. All this is honest and open.
But, and there is a 'but' for me, and it is probably more to do with my view of the world than anything Chris Kamara says or has done, but there is an unpleasant undertone to the book and that is one of the media. He reports mainly (in the first part of the book) on his work for Sky TV and with it comes the smell of that obnoxious corporation. He states proudly when his confidence was low at the beginning of his media career, he was advised just to report things as he saw them. Shame that wasn't true for all the others who have been ousted by Sky for doing just that! The list is long: Andy Gray, Richard Keys and Matt le Tissier to mention just three. All reported what they saw and what was in fact true but what they reported didn't fit Sky's woke agenda and so out they went.
The other unpleasant smell is the media, written by Kamara between the lines: the cosy little agreements that they won't rock the boat, no criticising referees, never probing to deep when questioning chairmen and managers, always trying to stay on the right side of football clubs managers and only asking soft questions and so on. None of this is explicitly said but it is inferred but I guess there should be no surprise there.
Sky pay handsomely for their product from the Premier League and Football Association and I guess part of their agreement is to only show the sport at it's best and to hell with honest reporting and journalism, suck up to them all and keep your job and get your next interview.
Rant over.
It is a good honest read. His voice comes over loud and clear and his stories and anecdotes are as funny as his commentaries and reports from his football matches were. He is open but not bitter about the horrendous racism in football in years gone by, almost underplaying it but managing to give the reader an honest view of how unpleasant and unacceptable it was. There is nothing to dislike about the man nor his autobiography.
In the second part of the book, he writes openly and honestly about his playing days, racism his dealings and relationships with players, managers, chairmen and others within the game. All this is honest and open.
But, and there is a 'but' for me, and it is probably more to do with my view of the world than anything Chris Kamara says or has done, but there is an unpleasant undertone to the book and that is one of the media. He reports mainly (in the first part of the book) on his work for Sky TV and with it comes the smell of that obnoxious corporation. He states proudly when his confidence was low at the beginning of his media career, he was advised just to report things as he saw them. Shame that wasn't true for all the others who have been ousted by Sky for doing just that! The list is long: Andy Gray, Richard Keys and Matt le Tissier to mention just three. All reported what they saw and what was in fact true but what they reported didn't fit Sky's woke agenda and so out they went.
The other unpleasant smell is the media, written by Kamara between the lines: the cosy little agreements that they won't rock the boat, no criticising referees, never probing to deep when questioning chairmen and managers, always trying to stay on the right side of football clubs managers and only asking soft questions and so on. None of this is explicitly said but it is inferred but I guess there should be no surprise there.
Sky pay handsomely for their product from the Premier League and Football Association and I guess part of their agreement is to only show the sport at it's best and to hell with honest reporting and journalism, suck up to them all and keep your job and get your next interview.
Rant over.
August 23, 2021
Unbelievable Jeff! A brilliant insight into all things Kammy! I love football, I love all insights into the game that come from within the game, so thank you Mr. Kamara!
I enjoyed your story, I absorbed the info and I hope to see many more Kammy Moments on YouTube in the future
I enjoyed your story, I absorbed the info and I hope to see many more Kammy Moments on YouTube in the future
January 15, 2023
Disappointing. Reads like he's just watched a few of his own YouTube videos and worked from the transcripts.
First published in 2010, the (fortunately few) sexist quips feel very dated but do make for a cringy read.
First published in 2010, the (fortunately few) sexist quips feel very dated but do make for a cringy read.
January 17, 2015
Chris comes across as a genuine guy who doesn't take himself seriously. He also had a tough childhood and was a black footballer at a very tough time. There's not a lot of insight though we which is a shame, it ends up just a series of anecdotes.
January 9, 2015
All over the place, just like Kamara.
March 30, 2024
Very fun read!!!
Same as most football fans of a certain age we have only seen Kammy on Soccer Saturday or Goals On Sunday. I know he used to play and manage but I had no in depth knowledge of his career so was looking forward to reading about it.
Although the first few chapters are fun to read I was concerned that the whole book was gonna be replays of his greatest hits on Soccer Saturday. Although fun to revisit if the whole book was like that then I would have quickly become bored with it.
Thankfully, after the first few chapters Kammy gets stuck into his playing and managerial career and it’s a fantastic read. I didn’t realise how much he’d done in the game. It’s easy to read and flows nicely. Some great stories told.
I thought this was fairly recent release but upon doing some research I fount out he’s wrote another book!!! Defo going on my list.
Same as most football fans of a certain age we have only seen Kammy on Soccer Saturday or Goals On Sunday. I know he used to play and manage but I had no in depth knowledge of his career so was looking forward to reading about it.
Although the first few chapters are fun to read I was concerned that the whole book was gonna be replays of his greatest hits on Soccer Saturday. Although fun to revisit if the whole book was like that then I would have quickly become bored with it.
Thankfully, after the first few chapters Kammy gets stuck into his playing and managerial career and it’s a fantastic read. I didn’t realise how much he’d done in the game. It’s easy to read and flows nicely. Some great stories told.
I thought this was fairly recent release but upon doing some research I fount out he’s wrote another book!!! Defo going on my list.
April 10, 2022
The book opens with many humorous stories from his Soccer Saturday career. Then it reads more like an autobiography, going through his playing, then manager careers. Although his management career was pretty short, he had major success at Bradford City, ending with disagreements with the chairman.
Although Chris is a very jovial character (which is his writing style here too), he was a tough-guy on the pitch, and sometimes even a bit belligerent in conversations.
Although Chris is a very jovial character (which is his writing style here too), he was a tough-guy on the pitch, and sometimes even a bit belligerent in conversations.
February 8, 2023
I thought it a bit odd how the book is set up. I found it interesting enough tough, but I could have done without the constant self-indulging irony.
Also, there are several cases of gambling addiction described in the book without Kamara mentioning the word or showing any awareness of the devastating effects of this condition. Just a part of live in the good old days like the constant boozing.
Also, there are several cases of gambling addiction described in the book without Kamara mentioning the word or showing any awareness of the devastating effects of this condition. Just a part of live in the good old days like the constant boozing.
October 29, 2020
A really good read and full of laughs. It details the highs and lows of a fan more famous now for saying 'Unbelievable Jeff' than being a footballer. Its hard to believe that he had such a varied career both in playing and managing. From the highs of the Navy to managing Stoke, this book contains a plethora of information for all readers to enjoy :)
May 24, 2019
Just like the man, Unbelievable!
Started off a little daft, but settled down to give a true insight of life as a pro. Footballer.
Shows the sensitivity,passion of the man for his beloved game and able all his sense of humor.
Started off a little daft, but settled down to give a true insight of life as a pro. Footballer.
Shows the sensitivity,passion of the man for his beloved game and able all his sense of humor.
February 13, 2022
I don’t know Jeff! One of the funniest men in football. Kamara is an excellent character and this is a great book about his life and the trials he faced getting to where he is today. A truly great read a perfect mix of funny and serious.
August 1, 2023
This would be a much better book without the first 100 pages of waffle about his Saturday Soccer chums. Kamara’s story of growing up in a monocultural northern town is very interesting. It would have been nice to find out more about his Dad’s journey to the UK too.
September 5, 2024
8/10 a really solid book
Kammy has lived an amazing life full of struggle and success this book has a real funny side as well as not being scared to dive into big problems such as poverty and racism which all shows how this truly great man was formed
Kammy has lived an amazing life full of struggle and success this book has a real funny side as well as not being scared to dive into big problems such as poverty and racism which all shows how this truly great man was formed
July 15, 2018
Decent enough autobiography, the parts around him leaving Stoke and Bradford were the most interesting
December 19, 2019
A enjoyable book by a modest interesting footballer who in some ways was ahead of his time.
April 19, 2020
was boring and very badly written but there were some funny stories inside, got to boring so didn't quite complete this book .
I love Kamara though on soccer Saturday
I love Kamara though on soccer Saturday
May 5, 2020
Good read.
He honestly was awful as Stoke manager but this is a good easy read.
Wouldn't pay full price for it but if you like Kamara then give it a go.
He honestly was awful as Stoke manager but this is a good easy read.
Wouldn't pay full price for it but if you like Kamara then give it a go.
June 18, 2020
What it says on the tin, funny, light hearted and interesting read.
June 24, 2020
Funny and fun in parts but let down by the transcripts of famous incidents.
January 19, 2021
Very disappointing. Thought it would be much funnier.
December 17, 2022
An enjoyable rundown of a funny footy stars life and times. Sometimes done in a higgledy piggledy way.
May 5, 2020
Average footballer becomes above average TV star. Writes about it.
January 16, 2020
Brilliant in site to one of the best commentators in the country
January 17, 2023
I’ve always liked Chris Kamara, so good to read this book. I’d have liked more of his personal life included though.
July 16, 2011
Proper, old school footballer back from the time when top flight English football was actually interesting. Not a challenging read, but Kamara's honesty and stories make it worth a look. Hopefully one day English football will run out of money and we can get back to how it was in the 80s and early 90s, pre-Sky (ironically where Kamara has really made his name).
September 20, 2016
Chia Kamara is a one off , a man to be respected , this book although always leaning towards fun and having a laugh also shows the struggles of working in football , made harder by being a player in the 1980/90s and being a black man during a time in Britain when racism was almost the norm. Respect .
July 23, 2016
Excellent book from start to finish - very funny as you'd expect but also very interesting seeing his experiences as a black footballer in the 70s/80s through to his escapades as a roving reporter for Sky... brilliant book I'd recommend to all :)
September 2, 2011
Not as good as Jeff Stellings book but still some funny stories
June 21, 2012
Great book that depicts the Kammy character so well. A story where he touches upon the dark side of the game, but what you see on the telly is reflected well within the pages. Really enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews