How to Be an Ex-Footballer

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It’s still good, but gets confusing when he’s reciting a conversation (in the first person) with another ex-pro, whilst referring to himself as Peter Crouch. Personally I prefer The Secret Footballers collection but Crouch being able to put names to stories and his own laidback style is a great touch. I found it incredibly interesting listening to all the stories of what former players from different eras have got up to post football. The final appearance in his loan with Lille came in their 4–1 final day victory over Nancy, he provided an assist for one of Eden Hazard's three goals and was later substituted off in the 64th minute by Nolan Roux. In August 2008, Cole scored a late equalising goal in a 2–2 draw at Wembley against the Czech Republic after coming on as a substitute.

In the first half of the 2005–06 season, Cole secured himself in the Chelsea first-team lineup, ahead of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Damien Duff.

His league debut, against Arsenal at Anfield on 15 August 2010, lasted just 45 minutes as he was sent off for a challenge on Laurent Koscielny. It’s difficult to have sympathy for someone who was paid tens of thousands of pounds a week and lived a life filled with mansions and flash cars for not having the insight to prepare for the future.

The story was difficult to follow due to the narration switching from Crouchy to interviewed players and back with zero vocal change and little description of a change. Although it has to be said some sections are more entertaining than others, I didn’t find the chapters on politicians or owners held my interest as much as the ones on pundits, grafters or mavericks for example. By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. He scored over 100 Premier League goals, has 42 England caps and holds the record for the most headed goals in Premier League history.He was a member of England's 2002 World Cup squad, making one substitute appearance in the tournament. In 1999, Cole was part of West Ham's victorious FA Youth Cup-winning squad (alongside Michael Carrick), defeating Coventry City 9–0 on aggregate in the final. On 3 April 2010, Cole scored the first goal in a 2–1 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United in a potential title deciding game. Also my copy had be inexplicably partially censored with some expletives ‘bleeped out’, but then later on that same expletive is left untouched.

In England's next World Cup qualifier, against Croatia, he suffered a head injury in a clash with Croatian defender Robert Kovač which resulted in the Croat's sending off. Joe Cole continued his excellent performances racking up a rate of ten goals and eight assists in all competitions, due to his performance he won the Chelsea Player of the Year 2008. As someone who’s more interested in the business of football than the physical game itself, I really enjoyed this book and think it might be the best of Crouch’s trilogy. In all, Cole made 22 league appearances for the Sky Blues, scoring twice, both from long-range free kicks. However as Crouch points out it isn’t totally ‘the fault of the player, it’s the people around him taking advantage.

Cole scored a volley in the 34th minute of the match [102] and got an assist in the 85th when he sent in a ball to Steven Gerrard, [102] with this contribution earning him the Man of the match award.

Following his successful substitute appearance, he was included in the starting line-up for Lille's Round of 16 Coupe de la Ligue match against Ligue 2 club Sedan on 26 October. On 23 October, Cole came on as a 60th-minute substitute for Idrissa Gueye and scored his second goal for Lille in the 3–1 win over Lyon. They live their lives in the glaring media spotlight, yet only really develop one life skill—how to kick a ball better. Often recruited before they've worn long trousers, today's footballers become superstars who earn huge amounts without ever learning much about the world beyond the training ground.Where in previous books this would have been topics such as teammates, managers or tactics and told from his own personal experiences; in comparison and as mentioned in the title, this book focuses on the period once the money stops, the crowds go silent and the boots are hung by their laces to answer the question “what does a retired footballer do?