This book tells the story of one of football's genuine legends, a man whose presence in any team seemed to lead them on to championship-winning form: Dave Mackay. It is a refreshing, honest and action-packed biography of a man who was at the centre of many of the biggest stories of British football for almost three decades.Mackay joined Hearts in 1953, by which time he had already made his mark at junior level having been at the heart of his school team's side when they won the acclaimed Scottish Schools Cup. At the time he joined the Edinburgh club, they had not won a major honour for almost 50 years. Over the next six years, however, Hearts went on to win the Scottish Cup and League, as well as twice winning the Scottish League Cup. It is no coincidence that Mackay's arrival at Hearts marked the beginning of what is now viewed as the club's golden age. In 1959, Dave was transferred south to join Tottenham Hotspur, who were at that time languishing near the foot of the English First Division. The following season, Spurs became the first side in the twentieth century to win the Double and went on to win the FA Cup twice more, along with the European Cup-Winners' Cup. Again, Mackay was at the forefront of a team now widely recognised as one of the finest ever. In 1968, as Dave was entering his dotage as a player, he joined Derby County, who were lowly placed in the English Second Division. As captain, Dave led the team up the table and they finished as champions, and Mackay was awarded the coveted Footballer of the Year trophy - a fitting end to a remarkable playing career.
Author Biography
Dave Mackay's football career spanned over 40 years, during which time he played for Hearts, Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County. Following retirement from playing in 1971 he went on to manage several clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Derby County, before coaching in Kuwait for a number of years. He now lives in Nottingham. Martin Knight is the co-author of the bestselling terrace-culture classics Hoolifan,and the Naughty Nineties. He also worked on Ossie, the autobiography of football legend Peter Osgood.
Reviews
Mackay's life story is well worth telling, and the 244 page book is very readable and enjoyable'.
