A Matter of Opinion

by Alan Hansen

Football is a game of opinions. Alan Hansen knows this only too well. In his long, distinguished career with Liverpool he faced some fierce public criticism from the media. Now the boot is on the other foot and Hansen himself earns a living as one of football's most outspoken and popular pundits.Hansen's autobiography is as uncompromising as the man himself. Looking back at fourteen victorious years at Anfield, he focuses on the highlights and the inspirational characters - Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish, Rush - who were so instrumental in building the club's international success. Then there were the disappointments, and the darker days at Heysel and Hillsborough. Hansen reflects on the impact both incidents had on his life, and on the future for spectators of British football.In 1991 Hansen retired from football. He explains his reasons for not wanting to stay in the game, revealing a surprising lack of self-confidence. If he were starting his playing career now, who are the teams he would want to play for - and those he wouldn't? Which managers and players does he respect? Why does he admire Wimbledon above all other home teams? Hansen addresses these questions and, now that clubs are becoming multi-faceted business empires, looks at the future for the game in the UK.Until a knee injury ended his playing career, Hansen was one of the most successful British soccer players of all time. He captained Liverpool to an historic double in 1986, and is the only person to have won all of the honours available at club level at least twice. A keen tactical understanding of the game has made him a favourite on BBC TV Match of the Day, Grandstand and Sportsnight. Before embarking on his professional playing career, Hansen was awarded a place at Aberdeen University to read history.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction, Biography

Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Jason Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Alan Hansen is another of those Liverpool footballers that is under-rated and over looked when we think of the great Liverpool teams of the eighties. What i particularly like about this book is the honesty. At no point does Alan shy away from his faults as a player. There is no inflated ego and 'i won this and this' about this book. Its a great insight into how Alan became a pivotal member of the Liverpool defence and how he coped with the trails and tribulations it brought, and it goes further by including his transformation from footballer to pundit. A good read and a wonderful and frank insight.

[jim murdoch · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who is a big Liverpool fan and also drove a few hundred miles to attend Alan hansens testimonial, I found this a dreary book to read. I didn’t want to read about how I should position my self in a flat back four or in any other formation, I bought the book to get more insight on what made Liverpool tick in those days and although there was some good content, not enough for me.

[2curlydogs]

Starting the indoctrination early - reading a chapter a day aloud to the baby.