Back from the Brink

As survivor’s tales go, this is brutalist epic…McGrath’s narrative has a stark honesty. – Sean O’Hagan * The Observer Sport Monthly *
Continuing the trend of brutal honesty which was popularised by Paul Gascoigne’s autobiography, McGrath’s book is difficult to read for anyone with an ounce of human kindness, especially those who marvelled at his ability from the Old Trafford terraces… Beautifully written. * Manchester Evening News *
Laceratingly honest…remarkably unflinching * Mail on Sunday *
A startling, harrowing read… far removed from the churn-em-out footballing autobiographies…This is an uncompromising tale, wonderfully told, about one of our most talented and disturbed sporting heroes. – Hugh Farrelly * Irish Independent *
Heartbreaking…poingnant – Robert Philip * Daily Telegraph *
One of the finest autobiographies to be written by a footballer… a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows, gain and loss, of loneliness, of fear, of self-loathing, and of guilt. * Birmingham Post *
It is funny. It is sad. It is brilliant. – Hyder Jawad * Birmingham Post *
The travails of Tony Adams, Paul Gascoigne and even George Best pale when compared with McGrath’s horrors. – Paul Rowan * The Sunday Times *
McGrath’s book is voyeuristic and gruesome… sheds light on one of sport’s last great taboos. – Rick Broadbent * The Times *
Gripping [and] unflinching… His story is as complex as it is moving, as vulnerable as it is brutal. – Donald McRae * Guardian *

Paul McGrath was born on December 4, 1959. He joined St Patricks Athletic, Dublin, as a teenager before joining Manchester United in 1982. He won the FA Cup with United and was twice voted Player of the Year before being sold to Aston Villa for e400,000 in 1989, where he was voted Player of the Year four times. He was also PFA Player of the Year in 1993. He also played for Derby and Sheffield United, before retiring in 1998. McGrath also won 83 caps for the Republic of Ireland, appeared at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and was Ireland’s first black captain.

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