It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault

Chapter Preview – It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault

Here's a short extract from Chapter 9, "Rubbing Shoulders"

This preview shares a light-hearted story from the day a Watford fan didn't get to meet Clive Wilson — a small football tale that still makes me smile.

Chapter Nine:


"David has been unbelievably generous with his time and support, including travelling down to Milton Keynes to attend one of my own book launch nights — and always responding to my many requests without hesitation.

One of the funniest memories I have of being in David’s company happened in 2018 — and it still makes me laugh now.
It was Harvey’s 16th birthday, and we’d treated ourselves to the Tunnel Club for the Watford game. David spotted us almost straight away, but he was in a different part of the lounge — the little area where former players tend to gather.

A few minutes later, David walked over to join us… and with him was another City great: Tommy Booth. I think Peter Barnes may have been there as well.
And just hearing them say, “We’ll come and stand with you,” was surreal. Proper surreal. I was proud as punch.

Before the game we were sharing a few drinks — and if you’ve ever been in the Tunnel Club, you’ll know they serve the beer absolutely freezing… which somehow makes you drink it twice as fast. More drinks at half-time too. It was a celebration after all.
Then a Watford fan came over.

He’d recognised Tommy Booth first, and then David introduced himself. The Watford fan was absolutely buzzing because he’d clocked they were former players.

Then his attention turned to me.
“So… which former player are you then?” he asked.
I burst out laughing.

“I’m not a former player,” I said. “I’m just mates with these two.”
But the Watford fan — already a little worse for wear — wasn’t having it. And David and Tommy, of course, did absolutely nothing to help me. If anything, they egged him on even more, giving the impression I clearly must have been somebody.
I tried again:
“Mate… I’m not a player.”
He just stared at me like I was lying.

We watched the second half — City won 3–0, and I’m pretty sure Raheem Sterling got a hat-trick — and after the match, maybe an hour later, after a few more drinks, the same Watford fan appeared again.

Only this time he was much worse for wear.

He marched straight over, pointed at me and said:
“Right. Come on then. Tell me who you are. Which former player are you?”
Again, I insisted I wasn’t.
Then David piped up.
“Go on,” he said. “Tell him.”
I looked at David, ready to protest… but before I could say a word David went:
“He’s Clive Wilson.”
The Watford fan’s face lit up like Christmas morning.
“I KNEW IT!” he shouted. “I bloody knew you were Clive Wilson! I KNEW IT!”

Then he held out his programme.

“Would you mind signing this?”
“Of course not,” I said.

And I duly signed his programme: Best wishes, Clive Wilson.

Now, if you know what Clive Wilson looks like… and you’ve seen me… you’ll understand the humour in that story straight away.
And I like to think that when that Watford fan woke up the next morning and remembered the night before, he probably had a good laugh about it too.

And he’ll forever tell the story of the day he didn’t meet Clive Wilson"

Available in hardback, paperback, and Kindle.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-All-Mick-McCarthys-Fault/dp/B0H2ZJNQ4C/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title
 
Wow. I'm genuinely overwhelmed by the fantastic reviews coming in for It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault.

A huge thank you to everyone who has bought the book so far. The support has been incredible.

If you've read it/reading it and enjoying it, I'd be hugely grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon. Reviews make a massive difference, helping more readers discover the book and increasing its visibility.

Every review, rating, share and recommendation helps the book continue its journey.

Thank you all for your support. I'm absolutely delighted with how things are going so far.

It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault: The story of a boy who needed a football team - and found one: Amazon.co.uk: McCarthy, Mark: 9798195830298: Books

Buy It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault: The story of a boy who needed a football team - and found one by McCarthy, Mark (ISBN: 9798195830298) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk

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What a player Clive Wilson was for City and a top fella to boot.

Delighted to receive a shout-out for my new book ‘It’s All Mick McCarthy’s Fault’ from the man himself.

It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault: The story of a boy who needed a football team - and found one: Amazon.co.uk: McCarthy, Mark: 9798197650191: Books

Buy It's All Mick McCarthy's Fault: The story of a boy who needed a football team - and found one by McCarthy, Mark (ISBN: 9798197650191) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk

 
City_Shirts said:
Saturday 17th December 1983 - Mick McCarthy City debut at Cambridge United

Any blues at this one recall the day ?

View attachment 194253
Click to expand...
I was there!
Told this story before but worth it again....
I have cousins in Cambridge and we used to go every Easter for a few days as kids. I had no idea where the Abbey Stadium was but I knew Cambridge City's ground was right in the centre as we passed it every time we went there.
So I am on a coach to the game and as we enter the city and head towards the centre, someone shouts out "there's the floodlights" and the driver headed for them.
I then did my best Eddie from Early Doors, informing the driver that the floodlights were City's ground, not the Abbey. Driver wouldn't have it. Eventually I left him to it, and said nothing as we passed the sign at the front of the ground welcoming visitors to Cambridge City FC....
We arrived quite late, just before kick off as a result of getting lost. Away coaches were parked on some wasteland and we had to leg it through this wasteland / rough wet field to be inside before kick off.
Those Blues with the nice clean trainers weren't happy!
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
I was there!
Told this story before but worth it again....
I have cousins in Cambridge and we used to go every Easter for a few days as kids. I had no idea where the Abbey Stadium was but I knew Cambridge City's ground was right in the centre as we passed it every time we went there.
So I am on a coach to the game and as we enter the city and head towards the centre, someone shouts out "there's the floodlights" and the driver headed for them.
I then did my best Eddie from Early Doors, informing the driver that the floodlights were City's ground, not the Abbey. Driver wouldn't have it. Eventually I left him to it, and said nothing as we passed the sign at the front of the ground welcoming visitors to Cambridge City FC....
We arrived quite late, just before kick off as a result of getting lost. Away coaches were parked on some wasteland and we had to leg it through this wasteland / rough wet field to be inside before kick off.
Those Blues with the nice clean trainers weren't happy!
Click to expand...
Can I tell it Joan?
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
I was there!
Told this story before but worth it again....
I have cousins in Cambridge and we used to go every Easter for a few days as kids. I had no idea where the Abbey Stadium was but I knew Cambridge City's ground was right in the centre as we passed it every time we went there.
So I am on a coach to the game and as we enter the city and head towards the centre, someone shouts out "there's the floodlights" and the driver headed for them.
I then did my best Eddie from Early Doors, informing the driver that the floodlights were City's ground, not the Abbey. Driver wouldn't have it. Eventually I left him to it, and said nothing as we passed the sign at the front of the ground welcoming visitors to Cambridge City FC....
We arrived quite late, just before kick off as a result of getting lost. Away coaches were parked on some wasteland and we had to leg it through this wasteland / rough wet field to be inside before kick off.
Those Blues with the nice clean trainers weren't happy!
Click to expand...
A proper away day !!
 
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