We All Live in a Perry Groves World: My Story: The Heartwarming and Hilarious Account of Life as an Arsenal Legend

by Perry Groves, John McShane

Perry Groves spent more than a decade in the footballing spotlight. Sometimes he was at the top, often he was at the bottom, and that's half the reasons the fans loved him so much—and still do. This is the most truthful and hilarious book about professional football you will ever read. Perry Groves was the first signing by the legendary Arsenal manager George Graham, and that unmistakeable figure with his Tin-Tin haircut and cheeky grin was a player in one of the Gunners' greatest sides. Now, he has decided to tell all about his rollercoaster years of booze binges, girl-chasing, and gambling sprees. He's a non-stop fund of hilarious anecdotes, recounting top-flight games played with a hangover, 125 mph motorway chases with international stars, visits to a brothel with an England World Cup hero, and revealing how one drunken escapade ended with a group of internationals being questioned over an attempted murder charge. This is a unique chance to find out what top-flight footballers really get up to off the field and how they behave when the dressing room door is closed.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction, Biography, Sports, Autobiography, Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number 1 is Perry Groves, Number 2 is Perry Groves ..........


Simply but entertainingly written biography. Groves makes no attempt to hide his own lack of ability compared to the real legends (in fact this becomes a bit too much of a running joke) – although equally fiercely defends the skills, commitment and “bottle” that differentiate him from players who never made it up from lower leagues.

He is very open about his own infidelity, about professionals of his era’s attitude to the game and about the drinking, womanising and gambling culture at Arsenal.

Probably the only weak point is his refusal to agree that Adams and Merson were alcoholics or that drinking had a great effect on the players performances (with a few notable exceptions), but overall this is a candid and refreshing view of being a professional footballer in the era in which money started coming in to the sport.

[russell barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a chapter in Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch reflecting on Gus Caesar's unlamented career, which basically points out even though he was ridiculed by the fans he had to be the best player in his school/local team/age group/trials/youth teams etc to get onto the pitch to become considered the worst defender Arsenal had. We've had some stinkers since, mind...

How does this relate to Perry Groves' book (which fact fans, was the first book on my to do list when I joined GoodReads in 2006)? Well Caesar crops up as their Arsenal careers overlap, and interestingly Groves just considers him one of the lads, there on merit and application, drive to win. Having the skills aren't enough, you've got want it enough to make it is the Groves mantra.

This nugget is all wrapped up in a hefty amount of booze and serial adultery, neither of which has aged well in the retelling. There are some cameos of the era's characters, but essentially this is one long ramble down the pub, lacking some self-awareness to reveal the probably likeable Groves as a bit of a wanker.

[Amy Louise Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I picked up off the bookshelf when I got home from the stadium tour with Arsenal Legend Charlie George. We had originally booked with Perry Groves but it was cancelled.

I read this in 24 hours. Such a funny, and informative read. Perry retells his story of his career with an honesty for the good and the bad.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re at all interested in Arsenal this is a good read, but my takeaway is that this is someone I’m glad I don’t know

[Mr Russell Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for any football fan. The ups and downs of a sport man. What you hear is not always the full story.

[Kieran Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perry Groves is an Arsenal legend. He's not the clubs greatest scorer (not even close) and didn't manage a massive number of appearences either. However he became something of a cult figure for Arsenal due to his never give up attitude and his bizzare tin tin haircut.

This is the story of Perry's life from boy to hero and father. Wisely concentrating on the hilarious anecdotes of a proffesional footballer and his scrapes with the law, and other players instead of the "boring family stuff like arguments at xmas that everyone already knows" this is a riot from start to finish.

The style is relaxed and informal and throughout Perry's story you really get the impression that he's bemused that he was lucky enough to take these experiences himself, and even luckier to be given the oppurtunity to share them.

Told with good humour, not once does Groves come across as bitter for missing out on todays wages explosion although he does make some wry observations - and you have to ask if anyone in football today has this much fun.

I can't recommend this enough to anyone who likes football, sports or even just wants to read the exciting story of one man lucky enough to steo into his own dream.

[John O'Malley]

If you're a Gooner of a certain vintage this is a good read.

[Bjorn Hardarson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even Arsenal fans I talked to do not remember him, but fans still chant his name at Arsenal games. Even though fans often loved to hate him, often was a sub and he had to stop playing at 28 he has become a cult hero with website devoted to his career. and do you know what I do not know who he is or was, but I still read the book :)

[Gjermund Hauge]

Meget morsom bok om og av en fantastisk person, dog ikke en fantastisk fotballspiller. Anbefales sterkt!

[Paul Devall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and at times self depracating.

[Keith Mckenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your run off the mill fitba players book. irreverent and funny.

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. what a smart and honest guy Perry is, love him. Arsenal fan who watched him from north bank win two titles before moving to New York in92.