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Details
Title: Footballosophy
Author: Iain Gillies with Angus Gillies
Published: 15 April 2014
Player Homepage: Iain Gillies
Synopsis
Iain Gillies grew up in a fishing village called Mallaig in the Highlands of Scotland. As a child he'd play football with fishing net corks because no one owned a proper football. But his dream was to play for the mighty Glasgow Celtic.
As a teenager playing in the Highland League in the mid-1950s, he was spotted by a Celtic scout and soon he was at Parkhead, rubbing shoulders with football greats such as Jock Stein, Charlie Tully, Bobby Collins, Alec Boden and Bobby Evans and being coached by Celtic legends Jimmy McGrory and George Paterson.
Iain Gillies was only to have one season in Paradise. But he's dined out on it for the rest of his life… and he'd love to tell you all about it too.
Review
(by Joebloggscity)
This book seems to have passed everyone by which is a shame as it's a simple gem. The book is written by a son on his father who almost lived the dream. We all dream of playing for Celtic one day but there are those who got so tantalisingly close but still never got there. Iain Gillies is one of them.
Iain never played for the first team, but was on the cusp of making it back in the difficult 1950's, and was then surprisingly let go from Celtic at just 19. There was strong competition for his place in the squad and he played with some greats, but didn't make it.
Iain takes us on a tour of his early difficult life growing up north in the Highlands, and the strong role that Celtic had played in his life growing up (whilst at the club and after). He was blessed to have had the chance to sign for Celtic (the club he grew up supporting) and then play with the players he did. We get a wonderful inside view of Celtic, and the tales that surround it. It's all fascinating I found. Sadly he was only at Celtic for a brief time, but how many others would bite off their arm for a similar chance? Quite a few I believe.
It's very well written, laid back and easy to read. Worth buying for even just the Charlie Tully anecdotes. Iain also helped give me some of the best laughs I've had in a long time with some of his stories.
It's a wonderful tribute by a son to his father, and if you're looking for something a little different, historical and interesting then this is worth a look.
Recommended.
Product Details
- Paperback: 174 pages
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (15 April 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1499168055
- ISBN-13: 978-1499168051
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1 cm