I've read a lot of what the man has to say on Twitter and at times he puts some daft stuff on there but his life story is quite something so I couldn't resist buying the book. Football is my first love family aside and boxing a close second.
The football man in me loved the anecdotes from the dressing room and being in and around the game day to day. I've never been a pro but been around the game a lot and I love reading about players, managers, backroom staff, tea ladies...and the last 30 years has seen that change so much that today's footballers won't have stories half as interesting to tell. From his early days pretending to be John Barnes on his estate and literally living and breathing football to his experiences in the Premier League and back down to non league football, if you love the game like I do you'll love all that.
The daft young lad in me loved reading about his epic benders, his scrapes with just about everyone including team mates, managers, punters, coppers...everyone really. Very entertaining though probably not everyone's cup of tea.
The coach in me loved reading his views on the game, the stuff he values in players and the ideas he has about coaching, building teams and how to get success. Also the lessons transferred from boxing, the real world values he holds dear and the single minded determination he has.
The boxing fan in me loved the detail behind his journey from freak show to British Champion. The hard work, knock backs, the corruption in the game, the money or lack of, the people who mattered on that journey and ultimately the redemption and joy of winning that Lonsdale belt. I will never forget jumping around my living room when he got the verdict that night like a madman - incredible. So to hear how he felt about it is worth reading.
The father, husband and son in me enjoyed it most though - he endured some tough times the like of which I've certainly never known anything like. I've known a few loose cannons but Woodhouse is right up there but you understand some of the backdrop and it makes a bit more sense, though he's brutally honest and holds himself accountable rather than looking for sympathy which I like. His relationship with his father particularly is tough to read about but his love and admiration for the man shines through despite it all. But what I liked most was what he writes about his kids and his wife. The debt he owes them for making him a better man and I think most fathers and husbands can relate to that. The softer side is there despite the bravado and alpha male exterior. He's pretty self depreciating at times and aware of his own faults despite having a steadfast belief in himself.
I've crossed paths with quite a few names mentioned in the book and to be honest I thought I understood the man to some degree. I didn't really and cant claim to now but I can say I loved reading his honest narrative on life, and found myself sharing an awful lot of sentiment with him.
Great read.
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