Maine Man

More about the book

Born in 1934, Tony Book spent his childhood in India playing barefoot soccer in the streets with the local kids. From there he returned as a young man to Bath, where he played for a local miner's side before following his father into the Army. After a short period in service, Book became a bricklayer and played for various local sides before joining his home-town team of Bath City. It was there that he first met manager Malcolm Allison—a figure who was to play an influential part in Book's later career. In 1964, Book was transferred to league club Plymouth Argyle, where he played for two years before former boss Allison, by then co-manager at Manchester City, convinced his partner Joe Mercer to take a chance on the full-back. The risk paid off as Book went on to captain the team throughout their most successful period, during which they won every domestic trophy, as well as the European Cup-Winners' Cup.