Boozing, Betting & Brawling: The Autobiography of Mel Sterland

by Mel Sterland

Boozing, Betting & Brawling is the autobiography of former footballer, Mel Sterland, who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Glasgow Rangers and Leeds United. He was also capped once by England. The book which is co-authored by Sheffield-based journalist, Nick Johnson, opens with Sterland recounting plans to commit suicide after being forced into premature retirement from playing. Following an indifferent start to his career at Sheffield Wednesday, Sterland made his name as a marauding full-back, playing under high-profile managerial trio Jack Charlton, Howard Wilkinson and Ron Atkinson. He made a big-money move to Glasgow Rangers, where he played under another well-known football personality, Graeme Souness. Despite being at Ibrox for only a brief spell, Sterland is fondly remembered by Rangers fans for scoring the goals which helped the Glasgow giants win the first of a record-equalling nine league titles. Following his transfer to Leeds, where he played alongside the likes of Eric Cantona and Gordon Strachan, Sterland won a First Division championship-winner's medal, making him one of only a handful of players to win the league title in both England and Scotland. Sterland's story features a heady mix of humour, gambling and punch-ups, and will have widespread appeal to football supporters. In the interests of authenticity, no attempt has been made to smooth off the rough edges, creating an honest, raw account.

Genres: Football

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Tyrone Atkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll give Mel Sterland this; at least the title of his autobiography isn't misleading but there is a lot to be desired with this book from the former Sheffield Wednesday, Rangers and Leeds United full-back. Don't get me wrong though, Boozing, Betting and Brawling (2008) is still a terrible title but it isn't the worst thing on offer here. Sterland has an interesting story to tell; a Yorkshire lad who got to play for his favourite team, won league title medals in both Scotland and England, an early career ending injury in 1993, battles with booze and gambling and even charged with robbing a Post Office (cleared). Alas, his ghostwriter Nick Johnson fails to craft a book much beyond inconsistent, after-dinner speech-like anecdotes where everyone he's met is a "great guy" or, in the cases of Gary Lineker and Paul Parker "big time Charlies". He is riddled with inconsistencies too, such as bemoaning the power players today have too much power but wishes he had that autonomy in his day or how some players were "dirty bastards" but prides himself on "doing players" in matches. All the same, he is certainly his own man and owns what he says, regardless of some outdated views. I won't condemn him for that, but I do for his choice of ghostwriter - this could have been a whole lot better.

[Rick Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Sheffield Wednesday fan who watched Mel from the terraces as a young boy, I found the insights & stories fascinating. Jaw dropping anecdotes and no holds barred recollections aplenty make this a good read for any football fan of the 80's & 90's - particularly if you followed any of the teams Mel represented in his playing days. Unfortunately, the writing itself is very poor and at times, the book stumbles from memory to memory without any link or break making it disjointed and amateurish. Shame, otherwise it could have been a 4 or 5 star read

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a good book, especially if you are into football and are therefore familiar with both Mel Sterland and the other players/characters who crop up in the story. What I found quite interesting with the book is how Mel lived his life before the English Premiership started and when the football world went money mad. When he retired due to injury he didn't have millions in the bank and had to get a proper job. Which to me is unthinkable with the amount of money the modern day players get.
He tells it how it is in the book and there is plenty of swearing and p**$taking throughout, not a very long book but enjoyable all the same.

[Steve Parcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A entertaining read about one of the stalwarts of the English First Division in the 80's and early 90's.

Mel's autobiography is full of humour passion and moments of darkness and it is a fascinating insight in the world of the professional footballer before the days of Sky when the wages started to increase dramatically.

Mel is a real joker and excellent footballer but there is a dark side which is always simmering below the surface and the book covers it very well.

A must read for fans of the English football game (Soccer to my friends across the pond) and well worth a read..

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a no holds barred account of a footballer's career and troubled retirement, Mel Sterland wears his heart on his sleeve. There are some glorious anecdotes although the sub-Loaded laddishness does pall quite quickly. Amazingly open for a book of this kind - most footballer's autobiographies are anodyne. Several well known figures come in for strident criticism. Sterland was a really under-rated right back in his time for Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Raw reflections of old style football

Anyone interested in football, Sheffield and the Mel Sterland years will enjoy this candid account of his football life. Worth taking with you for poolside reading next holiday.