Gary James
Well-Known Member
After several years of trying, it has been agreed this week that my authorised biography of Joe Mercer will be revised and published early in the new year.
The book was originally published in 1993 and sold out within 6 months. A paperback followed in December 1994 but that sold out within a year. This version will be updated to include different illustrations, new information/stories, and will also analyse the Mercer legacy.
Joe's widow Norah gave her blessing last night to the book and it will be out in April 2010 (the fortieth anniversary of Joe guiding City to the ECWC). Much has been written (fiction and factual information) on the Mercer-Allison period in recent years without the support of the Mercer family, so it is particularly pleasing that Norah supports my work.
As the print run will be fairly small, copies are being sold as a subscriber edition. This is the only way of guaranteeing your copy, and means fans can buy the book for the discounted price of £15 (retail price will be £19.95) before it is published. For that purchasers will get their name in the Subscriber Section at the back of the book (see "The Big Book Of City" or "Manchester A Football History" for an example) plus they will be able to have recorded next to their name their favourite Mercer Match. That can be any game involving Joe Mercer as a player or manager (Newcastle 1968? ECWC 1970?).
It'll be interesting to see if an Arsenal, Everton or City game is the most popular.
All Subscription orders have to be made by 31st January to qualify for this offer, and once published subscriber copies will be despatched before the book appears in any shop or online retailer.
I am delighted that I've finally got agreement to do this update. This remains my favourite book I've written and it's a great biography (though I am a bit biased!).
To order or for more information see my publisher's website <a class="postlink" href="http://www.manchesterfootball.org/publications.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.manchesterfootball.org/publications.php</a>
"Joe Mercer, OBE - Football With A Smile" (ISBN 978-0-9558127-4-3) covers his full life from his father's career (and death when Joe was only 6) with Nottm Forest & Tranmere; through his Championship winning days with Everton; his captaincy of Arsenal (prior to Wenger's successes, people still talked of Joe as one of Arsenal's greatest and most successful players) and England; his managerial career at Sheffield United & Aston Villa (where he won the League Cup & Div 2 title); his many successes at City; spell at Coventry; and his period as England manager.
Joe was an inspirational player, captain and manager. The original book ended with his struggle with Alzheimer's and his death on his 76th birthday.
Thanks,
Gary
The book was originally published in 1993 and sold out within 6 months. A paperback followed in December 1994 but that sold out within a year. This version will be updated to include different illustrations, new information/stories, and will also analyse the Mercer legacy.
Joe's widow Norah gave her blessing last night to the book and it will be out in April 2010 (the fortieth anniversary of Joe guiding City to the ECWC). Much has been written (fiction and factual information) on the Mercer-Allison period in recent years without the support of the Mercer family, so it is particularly pleasing that Norah supports my work.
As the print run will be fairly small, copies are being sold as a subscriber edition. This is the only way of guaranteeing your copy, and means fans can buy the book for the discounted price of £15 (retail price will be £19.95) before it is published. For that purchasers will get their name in the Subscriber Section at the back of the book (see "The Big Book Of City" or "Manchester A Football History" for an example) plus they will be able to have recorded next to their name their favourite Mercer Match. That can be any game involving Joe Mercer as a player or manager (Newcastle 1968? ECWC 1970?).
It'll be interesting to see if an Arsenal, Everton or City game is the most popular.
All Subscription orders have to be made by 31st January to qualify for this offer, and once published subscriber copies will be despatched before the book appears in any shop or online retailer.
I am delighted that I've finally got agreement to do this update. This remains my favourite book I've written and it's a great biography (though I am a bit biased!).
To order or for more information see my publisher's website <a class="postlink" href="http://www.manchesterfootball.org/publications.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.manchesterfootball.org/publications.php</a>
"Joe Mercer, OBE - Football With A Smile" (ISBN 978-0-9558127-4-3) covers his full life from his father's career (and death when Joe was only 6) with Nottm Forest & Tranmere; through his Championship winning days with Everton; his captaincy of Arsenal (prior to Wenger's successes, people still talked of Joe as one of Arsenal's greatest and most successful players) and England; his managerial career at Sheffield United & Aston Villa (where he won the League Cup & Div 2 title); his many successes at City; spell at Coventry; and his period as England manager.
Joe was an inspirational player, captain and manager. The original book ended with his struggle with Alzheimer's and his death on his 76th birthday.
Thanks,
Gary