Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer

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What to expect

For the Redknapp clan, football is a family concern; it's the family business. Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer is a deeply moving, heartfelt and beautifully personal account of growing up as the second son of Harry Redknapp, and also an enchanting love letter to football.

"I'm Jamie Redknapp. Chances are my surname rings a bell. I want to introduce you to a colourful cast of characters from my formative years.

Growing up, Dad and grandad 'Pop' told us tall stories from London's East End, but there was no artistic licence needed when I was actually kicking a ball about with legends like George Best, Bobby Moore, and Geoff Hurst.

This book is the story of my childhood and adolescence. Like many others, I guess it's a pretty typical mix of caravans and lollies, sweaty T-shirts and paper rounds, cheese sandwiches and Glacier Mints, The A Team, E.T. and Chinese takeaways.

But this is also the story of a journey through an extraordinary childhood obsession with football. One minute it was all about Shoot! magazine, endless keepy-ups and countless impromptu kickabouts. The next, I'm playing for Bournemouth Reserves against terrifying, fully-grown men.

Then I got my move to Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool. I might've been living off gristly sausages and Smash potato in my dingy digs up on Merseyside, but I was living the dream. I was desperately hoping it was the start of something special.

Writing Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer has helped me discover so much about myself. This book is my way of explaining who and what have made me ... well, me."

Critics Review

  • A beautiful book about football, family, friendship and finding out who you really are

    Jack Whitehall
  • One of the best books I’ve ever read about what it takes to become a pro

    Frank Lampard
  • An engaging account of [Jamie Redknapp’s] childhood and how he blossomed into a professional footballer in a family steeped in the game.

    The People (Love Sunday)
  • A great read… honest.

    Daily Mail
  • A warm, family-orientated account. . . the tales are genuine which means that readers will feel as though they have a seat at a family get-together where reminiscences and anecdotes tumble amid much laughter.

    South Wales Evening Post
  • Part memoir, part manual, on playing your way to the top.

    PA

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