Thetownend.com

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Game-Inches-Christian-Roberts/dp/190409144X

 :eek: Legend, gonna be buying this.




Edit: Wont we sell it in the shop?

Product Description
Life is a Game of Inches is the rollercoaster account of Cardiff City, Exeter City, Bristol City and Swindon Town footballer Christian Roberts. Amongst the glory of getting called up for Wales and delighting fans with his skills came the misery of alcohol addiction, gambling, losing a daughter and falling out with a succession of managers and players. Christian blows the lid off the sanctuary of the dressing room with tales of fighting, debauchery and drinking competitions. He also recalls the times he played whilst drunk and how on international duty Welsh manager, Mark Hughes, caught him legless behind a bar. Christian's alcoholism also ripped apart his family. He speaks frankly of leaving his 7-year old son sobbing on the sofa, with a broken leg, so that he could go to the pub and of throwing a pint glass at his wife when she desperately tried to stop him drinking. Ultimately Christian's alcoholism left him on the brink of losing his career, money, family and even his life. But after checking into the Sporting Chance clinic he seemed to turn his life around and was back playing the best football of his career under manager, Dennis Wise, at Swindon Town. Unfortunately, just as his life was back on track; a knee injury forced Christian to retire at the age of 28 and then tragically his Dad died of cancer. These events conspired to lead Christian on a gambling spree that would see him lose every penny he had earned and would also lead to his marriage falling apart. Having lost everything Christian moved back to the council estate where he grew up to face his new life single, jobless and broke. However, Christian did not lose heart and he threw himself into helping his community and working on the anti-racism campaign and is now happier than ever having left the bubble of living as a professional footballer.

Blimey, alcoholic, gambler, broken family. Not nice.

I guess some will say he brought it on himself, which is fair enough.

hmmmm moreso... http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A73714232

I wasted enough money watching Roberts play (if he could be bothered) as a player. I have no interest at all in seeing how his life fell apart in a book which is clearly only being written to make some money back. He brought it on himself. I feel more sorry for his family and his kids than him. Call me harsh but.....

I might get this. Robbo won me over in the end. I bloody well despised him to begin with, I don't think I've disliked a player in the same manner I did him.

Erm, that would be a biography then. Cheat, cheat, cheat.

Of course what stars really write thier own 'autobiography'.

considering you're the local soppy internet bitch that's a pretty harsh view mate

Christians story discusses the highs and lows of playing under Andy King, Iffy Onoura, Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet and Paul Sturrock and Maurice Malpas. Christian frankly talks about playing whilst drunk under Andy Kings hard drinking regime, how Iffy Onoura saved his life, how Dennis Wise was the best manager he ever played for and how Maurice Malpas was the worst. The book is one of the most honest autobiographies around as Christian opens up about his horrendous addiction to alcohol and how since he retired he has managed to turn his life around. If you want to read a real warts and all story about life as a professional footballer this is it!

Did Roberts play under Malpas?

Someone writing a book to make money... money grabbing arses.

I think he played under him at the start of the 07/08 season from what I remember, scored a cracking goal at Swansea.

I wouldn't buy it because I'm a Swindon fan or due to my like/dislike of Roberts but it could be an interesting insight into things off the pitch.

I genuinely didn't know he blew all his money after recovering from alcoholism. It's obvious the guy is a bit of a twat, but probably someone interesting to read about.

Sounds like an interesting read, may just buy a copy - I wonder if he will be doing a book signing at the CG - probably sell a few more copies

Micky Foley (who most of you have never heard of anyway) wrote all 3 of his autobiographies, the first one by free hand whilst on the road!

Is that the Undertaker?

Did Socko not shadow him? HAVE A NICE DAY!

I've got the first Foley one.

Since when was he known as Micky?

Reg - Mankind, Dude Love, Cactus Jack.

Bret Hart also wrote his own book I believe.

Dunno why I added the 'y'

He's been know as Mick Foley since about 2000.

I dont know exactly when Brets book came out but he had a motor cycle accident and a stroke a few years back, so I highly doubt he wrote it.

I think 'Edge' on advice from Foley wrote his, possibly Jericho to.

Is it sad that I'd rather read Tony Blair's memoirs?

Christian Roberts is a bit meh really. Doesn't really interest me. 

Not at all Blair's would be quite interesting given some of the decisions he made, where as something about a mediocre, half assed footballer isn't.

Make your mind up Gaz.

You were saying you feel sorry for him here

http://thetownend.com/index.php/topic,30097.0.html

I fucking loved Christian Roberts. I shall get this book.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

http://thetownend.com/index.php/topic,31043.msg598199.html#msg598199

This is my point Andy :)

pah

missed your post !

Blair's would be full of lies and spin, and making him look good.

Yeah gutted his career came to an end as such a young age after beating alcoholism etc and hoped he could improve his family life being away from football as we know the evils that come with it, clearly he didnt and wasted the family savings on gambling screwing over his family and young children (by the sounds of it), so my opinion now of him has changed.

Like most autobiographies then?

But Gaz, it says this happened after his father died. We all know how grief affects people in different ways, fucking hell what were you like after Michael Jackson carked it?

I think I may buy it too. I find stories where people royally fuck things up but come out of the other side ok a bit fascinating and sometimes inspirational. If not then their debauched anecdotes provide entertainment at the least.

Anyone read Anthony Kiedis's biography? Someone told me it was a good read but I forgot about it until I typed this. I liked Slash's biography, in some ways it made sense of all the craziness which I would assume means it's not entirely accurate.

I want to read Robbie savage's  :)

i'm surprised he can remember anything if he was so out of his tree.
no doubt a book signing day will be announced.fuck it throw in another richly deserved testimonial for the legend.

I'd like to read this... i liked Roberts and it's probabky quite an interesting read. Would like to know if any STFC related scandals are featured.

At least with his testimonial the money all went to charity.

Hmmmm interesting
Think I'd read it cause I'm nosey
Was never a great fan just cause I met him a few times and he came across as a bit of an arse. His children were always behaving  terribly.Even he nicknamed them "Ronnie & Reggie" I believe there was an incident where Lee Peacocks daughter got took to hospital after something they did? Think they pushed her off a chair or something?
Unfortuntely I expect they will end up screwed up too?

I think the only football autobiography I've ever read is Bobby Charlton's Manchester United Years which was really good.

At least Roberts might have a story to tell unlike the likes of Ashley Cole and co who still have long careers ahead of them.

Do you believe?

From the description and the author's posts on 606, it sounds like a horrible sensationalist rubber necking account of his life. I've got fuck all interest in reading that.

Clougie's autobiography is really good.

Was that irony sonic?

holloway's autiobiography is ace

I remember all the locals flocking to buy his autobiography in Plymouth... and then... :)

If I found myself sitting on the same bus as Christian Roberts and he started telling me his life story, I'd put my headphones in. Seriously, who gives a shit.

sounds a worse version of jimmy glass' book

Most have never heard of Mick Foley because most people don't watch men hugging in their pants in their spare time. But clearly I know who he is so I do!

Got to be worth a read as a Swindon fan, if only to read what the players get up to off the pitch in this era. Wouldn't pay £14 for it though. Give it a couple of weeks and it'll be a lot cheaper.

Kamara's book is meant to be ace.

This is all a bit meh for me, don't have much interest in reading about how someone fucked his life right up.

Best footballer's autobiography I've read is 'Pyscho' by Stuart Pearce. He comes across as a decent bloke who realises how fortunate he was.

Most of them are pricks on an ego trip, the worst I read was Dennis (I'm a pygmy cunt) Wise. What a bellend.

Mr Bennett speaks the truth!!!

Terry Venables' was a good read

Nice description from the author of Roberts book

'Christian frankly talks about playing whilst drunk under Andy Kings hard drinking regime, how Iffy Onoura saved his life, how Dennis Wise was the best manager he ever played for and how Maurice Malpas was the worst.'

I think we knew most of that.

if you like football autobiographies then i reccomend,bobby robson's,alex ferguson's,paul merson's,tony adam's,stuart pearce's,perry groves's.

Fuck off back to the cricket forum then

Did he spurn your sexual advances Gazza, you seem very bitter towards him

I think Gazza is fucked off because roberts wasnt there when he had his kit photoshoot...

Pele's autobiography is an interesting read, as is Jeff Stelling's.

Agree with Pyscho being the best one. Love how when he became a pro at Coventry that he advertised in the clubs programme as an electrican. Also remember him saying when he played against Swindon in the FA cup, Paul Rideout told him to f off back to his 9 to 5.

Worst ever Footballers autobiography I've read is Michael Owen's. What was I thinking? To call the guy characterless is a compliment.

No but I can't post on here why I am bitter towards him!

Reason for this is I had a run in before with a certain superstar midfielder who will be signing for Barcelona next week, Aaron Brown! When that cunt was here I had a confrontation in the Apartments in Town a few years back with Brown as my cousin is friends with Debbie Smith who at the time was her boss as well as a mate, Debbie is now Phil Smith's wife. Anyway they told me something about Brown's "fitness" as they were mates with that prick, and I posted it on thisis back in the day. Brown didn't want what I wrote on a message board to be public knowledge (despite if the medical team at STFC had done their job they would know about it anyway) and he got a bit funny saying so I am keen not to fall out with my cousin by spouting off as I know they are or were mates with Christian, because players tell them things that they may tell me, and they are not supposed to be posted on message boards etc! TBH It was probably best not to appear bitter in the first place but meh!  :)

You shouldn't go putting people's personal details on message boards Gazza!

well aware of that now :D

I didn't understand any of that but Aaron Brown is a shitbird

Where is he now?

halfway up his own arse as usual

As usual, Gazza makes perfect sense. And his posts are also easy to understand.

Yeah but no but yeah but Aaron has a brown willy from all his bumming.

No, but yeah, but no, because if you don't let me in then Blazin' Squad are well gonna give you beatings because I've actually already met them already anyway, actually, down at the Radio 1 Roadshow at Weston Super-Mare! You remember, it was the time I got fingered by Chris Mars and Hayley Evers reckons she saw Joe Wylans taking a dump in the sea. But, anyway I have met Blazin' Squad and they said I should definitely come backstage and see 'em and do 'em, and anyway I do know them already because I'm their assistant. And if Rowan Gordon says I'm not then don't listen to him because everyone knows he's mental because he once shoved his knob through Miss Mayal's letterbox.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

That's ace.

 :D

Gazza or Brown  :hmmm:

Here's a fasinating fact for you all - Aaron Browns brother is my bosses next door neighbour!

Brown is at Darlington I think

Chuckable.

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayDetailEvent.do?searchType=1&author=Christian|Roberts (http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayDetailEvent.do?searchType=1&author=Christian|Roberts)

Book signing in Waterstones on the 9th October. Stick that in your Kindle and smoke it :)

How did I miss this? Fucking genius. Cheers to Batch for bumping