PREZ

Many years ago, a relative told me that he had resigned his role as a junior football ref over the appalling behaviour and attitude of some parents and their children, both on and off the pitch. With this is mind, I was keen to read Andrew's account of his son's experiences, which supported these observations, but was so much more. Evidently this approach extends to football academies, and it is a tribute to Charlie and his dad that they remained so resilient in the face of broken promises, lack of communication and judgement with little evidence of forward planning. In spite of this, Prez is by no means depressing - I found it an excellent, entertaining read, forensic in detail, but full of witty comments throughout, and with an obviously necessary sense of irony. It rattles along at the speed of one of Charlie's own races. Highly recommended, even by this non-footballer lover!

The book is phenomenal; total recall of so many conversations v. impressive. A signed copy will have to be procured some time. I liked "effin' burger". The flat earth episode must be a joke. Is there a fence at the end to stop people falling off? The FA statement has the appearance of being coherent but I should think that better staff would have to be dredged up to make much difference.

Just finished reading PREZ and can honestly say it is one of the best football books I’ve ever read. If you have any involvement in football, from Sunday morning grassroots to elite academy level, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s packed with fantastic anecdotes, offers a fascinating inside view of a Cat 1 professional club academy, and provides a genuine “warts and all” account of youth football that every parent, coach, volunteer and aspiring player should read. Andrew doesn’t pull any punches. He tells the story exactly as it happened – the highs, the lows, the successes and disappointments. Nobody comes out of it looking perfect, which is precisely why it feels so authentic.

A fascinating story told frankly and laced with a lot of humour too. Having had the grassroots touchline experience I identified with the initial ‘enthusiasms’ of the young players and their parents, and this reeled me in to the book. When Prez progressed to the elite academy level it was a real eye opener into the demands, commitments and frustrations involved. I found his optimism, resilience and sheer stamina to be inspiring as he sought to balance the many challenges of his school and sporting life.