Justin Fashanu The Biography Jim Read 9781780912288 Books
Download As PDF : Justin Fashanu The Biography Jim Read 9781780912288 Books
For over 20 years Justin Fashanu was the only professional footballer anywhere in the world who had come out as gay.This first account of his life shows how he survived the bullying of Brian Clough, public rejection by his brother, John, and abuse from the terraces. But it also tells of clubs eager to sign him, support from managers and teammates, and affection from supporters. As a child, Justin Fashanu was put into care and eventually raised by white foster parents in Norfolk. At a time when black players were routinely subjected to racist abuse he rose to fame as a forward for Norwich City where he scored a famous goal. He became the first black player to command a £1 million transfer fee when he joined Nottingham Forest. A knee injury forced him out of top level football. Desperate for the wealth and celebrity he had lost, Fashanu’s attempts to sell fabricated sex scandals to the tabloid press ended in a humiliating exit from Britain. Based in the USA for several years he returned to England when facing charges of sexual assault and committed suicide. This meticulously researched book shows Justin Fashanu to be a complex character, whose life was full of incident, conflict and controversy on and off the pitch. Perhaps the biggest conflict of all was between his beliefs as a born-again Christian and his sexual orientation, one which was still tormenting him in the last hours of his life. At a time when British professional football is trying to tackle its reputation for homophobia, this biography is a timely reminder that an openly gay man has already played for clubs in England and Scotland. It has taken this detailed investigation to give a balanced account of his positive and negative experiences. Justin Fashanu was a charming man who became a reluctant pioneer. He showed courage in persisting with his career and speaking back to his critics. This flawed hero is a significant figure in football, in the story of black people in Britain and in gay history.This is the story of his fascinating life. This book brings together Jim Read’s passions for human rights, life stories and football. His previous publications have covered equal opportunities at work, the lives of people treated in the mental health system, and psychiatric drugs. He is a Leicester City fan and contributor to The Fox fanzine.
Justin Fashanu The Biography Jim Read 9781780912288 Books
I bought the book because I was very interested in reading about Justin's life and what it was like being an openly gay footballer back in the 90's when not many famous people were out publicly. However, it was a tough book for me to get through. Why? There were just too many unnecessary facts about all the football games he played, the teams he played for and almost every goal he scored. I understand that he was a footballer, and that is an important part of his life. But, did I want to read all these minute details? No. For me, it detracted, without a doubt, from the story of his life and relationships with his friends and family. I was more interested in reading about his relationships with his fiancee or brother which were largely left unexplored. Perhaps, there's not much information available or they didn't want to participate in the writing of the book - I don't know - but those things would have been more interesting to me than the tedious descriptions of so many football matches. I think Justin's life is interesting and inspirational, but to truly enjoy this book you also need a deep interest in British football. I don't have that and had to force myself to finish the book. By the middle and end, it was a real slog for me.Product details
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Tags : Justin Fashanu - The Biography [Jim Read] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. For over 20 years Justin Fashanu was the only professional footballer anywhere in the world who had come out as gay.This first account of his life shows how he survived the bullying of Brian Clough,Jim Read,Justin Fashanu - The Biography,DB Publishing,1780912285,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY LGBT
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Justin Fashanu The Biography Jim Read 9781780912288 Books Reviews
An excellent read. "Fash" was recently inaugurated into the Norwich City Hall of Fame - to this day he is fondly remembered in Norfolk and this is a fine testimonial to the man.
In the tale, so many different strands of Fash's life emerge - trans-racial adoption, schoolboy boxing champion, born-again Christianity, sibling rivalry and, of course, his sexuality. And then his football career - initially precocious talent, then a well-documented falling out with Brian Clough, followed by a worldwide journey attempting to rebuild his career while dogged by injury. The author completely succeeds in weaving all of these strands together - telling the fascinating story of a larger than life character.
What surprised me was how long and relatively successful Fash's football career was. The book provides a detailed account of this lengthy career and his long struggle against career threatening injury - particularly fascinating was the account of his time in Scotland.
But this is no "rose-tinted" account of Fash's life - it is a celebration but is also an honest account of his failings and weaknesses. And, while a serious account, there are lighter moments - I was startled by Bet Lynch's appearance in the story!
So an excellent read and, for me, more than just another football book. The author captures the flavour of the times and also reflects on the "bigger picture" of the social and political events which shaped Fash's life and his untimely death. It also explores why, to this day, Fash remains the only UK footballer to "come out" as gay.
I bought the book because I was very interested in reading about Justin's life and what it was like being an openly gay footballer back in the 90's when not many famous people were out publicly. However, it was a tough book for me to get through. Why? There were just too many unnecessary facts about all the football games he played, the teams he played for and almost every goal he scored. I understand that he was a footballer, and that is an important part of his life. But, did I want to read all these minute details? No. For me, it detracted, without a doubt, from the story of his life and relationships with his friends and family. I was more interested in reading about his relationships with his fiancee or brother which were largely left unexplored. Perhaps, there's not much information available or they didn't want to participate in the writing of the book - I don't know - but those things would have been more interesting to me than the tedious descriptions of so many football matches. I think Justin's life is interesting and inspirational, but to truly enjoy this book you also need a deep interest in British football. I don't have that and had to force myself to finish the book. By the middle and end, it was a real slog for me.
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