macca-mcfc-flc
Well-Known Member
trautmanns journey by catrine clay,has been made book off the week by the mail,i no the mail is a load off shite but its a nice review,well worth checkin out
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berts book of the week
- Thread starter macca-mcfc-flc
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DD
Well-Known Member
The question is, is this book any different than the biography that was revised and published two or three years ago by Alec Rowlands(?)
Much as I am a huge fan of Bert, is there any point in having two books that will surely be almost identical?
Much as I am a huge fan of Bert, is there any point in having two books that will surely be almost identical?
Dyed Petya
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 2 May 2007
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I haven't read it, but from the reviews, it definitely isn't almost identical. The Rowlands biography is a book I like a lot, and it goes into a lot of detail about Bert's football. This book apparently doesn't have much on the football, and focuses more on Bert's times as a young man in Nazi Germany and a young man serving the German War effort.
Apparently, there's material in there which isn't especially flattering to Bert and a couple of high profile City fans (Sir Howard Davies and Simon Hattenstone) have given the book negative reviews. Davies reckoned that it contained a lot of information that, as someone who'd idolised Bert as a kid, he'd rather not have known. Hattenstone was upset that Bert's youthful enthusiasm for the Nazi cause was made clear but that no apology was offered for that.
Apparently, there's material in there which isn't especially flattering to Bert and a couple of high profile City fans (Sir Howard Davies and Simon Hattenstone) have given the book negative reviews. Davies reckoned that it contained a lot of information that, as someone who'd idolised Bert as a kid, he'd rather not have known. Hattenstone was upset that Bert's youthful enthusiasm for the Nazi cause was made clear but that no apology was offered for that.
Not had chance to have a look at the book in any detail yet but received a copy this afternoon at the lunch laid on by City for Bert at the City of Manchester Stadium - part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Bert's departure from St Helens Town to City during the 1949-50 season. I had a chat with the biographer Catrine Clay and it appears it's more of a historical journey of Bert's life (as opposed to the Sporting one depicted by Alan Rowlands)
Slightly off topic - what a brilliant afternoon it was at CoMS with an array of former players, fans, club officials, etc. Bert was relentlessly signing memorabilia for those in attendance and was in fine form with a Q&A session with Fred Eyre - his recollections certainly made me very proud to be a St Helens lad and the Chairman of the club today. No-one was left in any doubt regarding the affection Bert has for St Helens Town and it's people. Well done to all at City for a great time.
I understand he will be guest of honour at Sunday's game v Birmingham.
JohnM
Slightly off topic - what a brilliant afternoon it was at CoMS with an array of former players, fans, club officials, etc. Bert was relentlessly signing memorabilia for those in attendance and was in fine form with a Q&A session with Fred Eyre - his recollections certainly made me very proud to be a St Helens lad and the Chairman of the club today. No-one was left in any doubt regarding the affection Bert has for St Helens Town and it's people. Well done to all at City for a great time.
I understand he will be guest of honour at Sunday's game v Birmingham.
JohnM
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Anonymous
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I'm sure Bert's signing his book tomorrow in WH Smiths (Trafford Centre) ... unless i misread the sign there tonight.
As part of the transfer deal (no money involved) from St Helens Town to City, the Maine Road club agreed to a couple of friendly games- the first took place on April 27th 1950 - Bert signed an original match programme from the game at yesterday's lunch. The game at Hoghton Road St Helens is still our largest home crowd of over 4000 while Bert helped the club win it's first Trophy in 1949 when Town beat Runcorn in the George Mahon Trophy in front of 9000.