Full Time

Full Time: the Secret Life of Tony Cascarino is the most praised football autobiography in a very long time. Reviewers' jaws dropped at "the searing honesty ... and the breathless style" (The Saturday Times); The Observer Sport Monthly gasped "It's Angela's Ashes with half-time oranges ... a footballer's autobiography like no other. The most astonishing sports book of the year." "Autobiography" of course means ghost-written: though told in the first person it was put together by award-winning Irish journalist Paul Kimmage, whose Rough Ride won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award in 1990. Making the book compulsively readable Kimmage structured it brilliantly, guarding the series of secrets that Cascarino reveals so that the reader is tantalised by cryptic glimpses then made to wait until each revelation in turn is suddenly unveiled. What are these secrets? Suffice to say that some are personal, some professional, some minor and quirky, one major enough to generate heated debate in the press. At times the book reads like the confession of a man who's lived with too much guilt for too long.

Throughout, the book maintains a very high standard. It veers towards the blandness for which footballers' autobiographies are famous only when the author is discussing his friends, to whom he is commendably loyal. As for his managers, there are several memorable portraits. In the case of Jack Charlton it's open hero-worship, even when he felt hard done by. Relations with Glenn Hoddle were a very different story. "He was probably the unfunniest man I have ever known. He was also completely besotted with himself ... When you stepped offside with Glenn, there was nothing to do but accept your fate and hope that you returned in the next life as talented and as perfect as him."

The Guardian said, "Compared with the standard-issue footballer's autobiography, this is Tolstoy." Perhaps not quite, but it's brilliant storytelling, and gives a shockingly honest portrait of one footballer and his world. --David Pickering

View other editions of Full Time.
View books by Paul Kimmage.

A truly terrible book - Rated
This isn't a very good book unless you are particularly interested in Cascarino's life. It isn't a very good book even if you are interested in Cascarino's life. The subject is basically his midlife crisis, he may well be being honest about it for all I know, but it is hardly a matter of universal concern.

Top Notch - Rated
This book bucks the trend in which all other Sports Books/'Autobiographies' are written. This in my opinion is largely down to both the author Paul Kimmage and its subject.

Cascarino gives Kimmage the perfect template for a story. Whilst not being a superstar, Cascarino has some truly honest stories to tell from his times at a multitude of clubs. Due to Cascarino's popularity (or lack of) Kimmage does not have to be fearful of writing something that needs snappy soundbites for some tabloid serialisation and is instead allowed to write a thrilling account of one players account of life during football.

I cant recommend this story highly enough as it seems to be the perfect sports 'autobiography'. Firstly, its brutally honest. Its also written just as he has finished his career, therein Cascarino does not have to feign nice-ities with anyone and is not afraid of saying something which may jeopardise his career. Finally, Cascarino's story does what a book like this should do - give you a true insight into the man.

Comparing Roy Keane to Tony Cascarino is like comparing chalk and cheese. On the football pitch there would be no contest, but on the bookshelves the difference in how football books should be written is plain to see.

If you enjoy this book and like the sytle of writing, pick up Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage on his life in the Tour de France.

Another Football Autobiography ? - Rated
If that's what you want, you know the type where they drone on about how many goals they scored and that then DON'T buy this book. If you want a frightenly honest book, more about a man who is as falliable as you or I, but gets to act it out on a world stage then this is the book for you. I must have about 20-30 sports biographies and autobiographies and this is head and shoulders above the rest. A deeply honest book about a troubled childhood, an amazing footballing career and relationships which would test anyone. It is the sort of book which you cannot put down and will read again and again. I never supported any of the clubs Tony Cascarino played for, but he is someone I now deeply respect and would love to meet.

Football, from the inside - Rated
Tony Cascarino's ghosted autobiography will prove a revelation to anyone outside the professional game. It lifts the lid on the privileges and pains of life as a top footballer but goes much, much, further.

Cascarino exposes in convincing detail his weaknesses on and off the pitch and especially the importance of confidence to his game. In fact luck and ability play second fiddle to nerves and weight-control in his footballing fortunes.

He flags up the contrast with his nerveless friend, and one time co-striker, Teddy Sheringham. Misses would never deter Sheringham from trying the spectacular, but for Cascarino they would cripple his play, confirming his own fallibility.

This self-doubt undermined his career in Britain, but in France he cast off the shackles to score hatfuls of goals and give the story a happy ending.

If you want to strip away the hype from sport, this is your book.

A better read than the player. - Rated
As a player , many never rated Tony Cascarino despite his appearances in two World Cups over 60 appearances for Rep of Ireland and many other honours. Although ghost written this gives an insight into the man. It seems he even doubted his ability and unlike many football auto-biographies he doesn't go around naming and shaming and trying to make headlines in an attempt to sell the book.
The only player he names and shames is himself . An excellent read and well worth purchasing.