I don't like criticising other authors because I know how much effort should go into each book and I know that often it's a thankless task with little - if any - reward. However, I can't help but get angry when I read some of the drivel he writes and the accusations he makes about City's owner, Garry Cook and fans.

As far as I'm aware he has never interviewed (or even met) Cook, Khaldoon, Sheikh Mansour and others. He says he has spent time with Bernard Halford, Sidney Rose and Ian Niven, but significantly not the people he criticises.

I have interviewed Cook, Khaldoon and many, many others connected with Abu Dhabi, the Club and the plans for the future, and therefore when I write about them I will be informed enough to make a fair assessment.

I certainly won't be using words like arrogant or laugh at any of the Club's key figures for 'looking like a 12 year old' as he does in his new book (if you go on to amazon and click the search inside button/logo you can actually read some of his text - search for Cook, Khaldoon, Mansour and see what he says in the extracts - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manchester-City ... 84-2837320 ).

As we all know football is about opinions, but Shindler should have at least had the decency to interview Cook, Khaldoon etc. before making ill-informed judgements.

What gets me most is that both the Independent On Sunday and the Telegraph have been so quick to seek his views (no doubt he's been paid, or maybe the advertising gained from the pieces makes up for that). I've suggested to one of those papers that they allow me to write a response, but it doesn't look like it's happening.

I have to say that I first thought Shindler was way off the mark when he wrote "Man Utd Ruined My Life" - I believe that gave so much ammunition to rival fans and the media, and ultimately damaged City (it's a fact that I was planning on writing a book on City from 1972 to 1994ish about the Swales Years and met with Headline books; the key contact liked the idea but wanted me to show City as 'little failing City' against 'big successful Utd' and suggested we include ref to United in the title; I said my book's about City and whether they've failed or not I will tell it in a positive way and treat City fairly; I rejected his offer and about 12 months later Colin Shindler brought out his book, published by Headline, with the same commissioning editor, covering the same period though he went back further, and Utd in his title - no coincidence in my opinion).

Then there was Shindler's novel about Mercer & Allison - it's title "The Worst of Friends". More negativity and it really upset the Mercer family, but at least he made a few quid, hey?

As a writer I have produced books that cover City from various angles and I've interviewed well over 100 players, personalities and so on. Some I like, some I don't. Usually before I meet someone for the first time I form an opinion, then when we meet it sometimes changes. I spent most of the 80s and early 90s demonstrating againts and criticising Peter Swales but when I came to write the full history of the Blues he was one of the first people I contacted to interview because, as a writer, it was important to tell the truth and give everyone a fair chance to put their view across.

As a result I included a lot of Swales' words in my book(s) and I performed the last every interview with him at his house. He recognised that though we held different views I was keen to hear his side.

Shindler, sadly, has made his mind up and has stuck to it. He's not opened his eyes to the evidence, he's just gone with a gut feeling and then decided to produce a book about it. That's his right of course, but it disappoints me enormously that at least 2 newspapers have gone with his views and 1000s of people will buy his book and believe it.

My books won't be stocked internationally or even in key parts of the UK, but due to the publicity he has already got and will get his books will. Anyone thinking that they should find out the truth about City and its owner will pick up his book and believe what's in there. This saddens me.

We've only just started to win some people over and then a 'City fan' sticks the knife in. Thanks a lot Colin!

I'd love to be involved in a radio/TV debate with him. Simple things like his comments about the Tevez situation really annoy me - none of us were happy with what happened but the Club dealt with it really well and much better than MUFC did when George Best refused to play in 2 games (that's right), failed to turn up for training frequently, and then walked out on the Reds. Best was put on the transfer list and told he would never play for them again, but in 1973 they brought him back because they were desperate to avoid relegation.

Shindler has probably forgotten the Best story (although he used the player's name to sell another book), but it's one that is very relevant to the Tevez situation. I've researched both stories and interviewed people about them, and that is why I'll be happy to give my interpretation of the facts in my book. I won't be making it up. It'll be based in evidence and City will come out of it well because the facts are clear (if you look for them and ask the right questions).

Ah well, I'm sure Shindler will make enough money out of his book to pay for his European trips(!) and so on, unlike me (and many other Blues) who could not afford to travel abroad to watch City last season.

*applauds Gary James' response*

Fantastic sir.

As far as I'm concerned Gary has said it like it is. Shindler should take notice, but he won't.

If Stephen Fry is a National Treasure then Gary James is a City Treasure.

He's an author with a book to sell so what better way to sell it than going against the grain and getting some publicity on top of the title win, when we're the name on everyone's lips. People getting upset about this is like people getting upset by the faux good cop/bad cop opinions spouted by Talkshite presenters.

As I understand it, the book is biographical, building on his original book and talks about the death of his wife and sets it against what he sees as the death of football. It makes no claims to historical accuracy that I can see but it's an opinion, albeit one we don't agree with. I think I answered his criticisms 3 years ago, in the piece that Ian Ladyman graciously allowed to be printed in the Daily Mail.

Of course it's annoying to see someone seemingly being disrespectful to the owners of the club he professed to support so avidly. I am hoping to meet him in the not too distant future and will happily make that point to him if I do.

When you see.him, make sure you tell him to fuck off from me.

I know it is neither big nor clever, but when you see him, can you slap the shitbag?

Kick fuck out of him PB.

I remember a lot of us on BM providing info for that letter/piece an you're right it was good of the Mail to print it, and I can't help wondering if the strength of feeling from City fans actually ensured they didn't print a Shindler piece this week. I thought it was odd that the Indy On Sunday and Telegraph (a piece by Utd fan Jim White) were suddently Shindler's preferred outlets. His pieces usually ended up in the Mail.

Colin, before you see him make sure you read as much of his book and his articles as you can. That way you'll know how much he claims to be fact and what's merely opinions. Of course, every author has a right to write whatever they want, but I hope he hasn't been bismerching the names of Khaldoon, Sheikh Mansour, Cook, City and City fans simply to sell a few books and make a few quid!

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather have my morals and no money.

any chance of another look at the letter on here?