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"God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast and when I run, I feel his pleasure."

Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire

England's Messiah

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England's Messiah, Martin Saunders, Authentic, Milton Keynes, 2004 ISBN 1-86024-474-2

The book tells the story of John Christie who goes from being a park footballer to playing for England in a season and his relationship with a journalist, Harry Foster. Even for someone brought up on Roy of the Rovers and his miraculous feats, I found the story too far-fetched to take seriously.

I was also irritated by the number of times where the incidents happen in a way that shows the author has little knowledge of professional football for example

The journalist Harry getting seat on England plane through friendships with players (Page 75), the journalist's access to the player on the morning of the game (Page 40), and in the dressing room at half-time (page 118 and 155) and during the World Cup (Page 259), Harry acting as an (unregistered) agent (Page 163). I could go on...

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