www.mayobooks.ie and The Castle Bookshop, Castle Street, Castlebar are delighted to announce the launch of 'Have Boots, will Travel' on Thursday, September 4th at 7pm.
The launch will take place in The Castle Bookshop, Castle Street, Castlebar. Contact 094 9024422 or castlebooks@eircom.net for details. All are welcome.
According to one heartfelt obituary, Frank Large was a 'working class hero, who embodied so many of the games virtues'. Frank was deemed a legend by many different sets of fans in the 1960s and 1970s. Famed for his never say die attitude and fearsome goal-scoring qualities, his football career saw him star for nine clubs - including three stopovers for Northampton Town.
Detailing the lifestyle, the expectations and outlook of an itinerant footballers of 40 years ago, the book cannot but fail to invite a comparison between the game's values today and in those now-distant, relatively innocent times. Issues of loyalty, security, personal values and personal worth are all brought to the fore.
Featuring interviews with fellow players and managers (including Sir Bobby Robson, Ron Atkinson and Graham Carr), Frank's peripatetic career is covered from Halifax in the late 1950's via QPR, Northampton, Swindon, Carlisle, Oldham, Northampton, Leicester, Fulham, Northampton, Chesterfield and Baltimore to Kettering in the mid '70's - and so, eventually, to retirement in the West of Ireland.
Large won two Third Division championships before eventually breaking into the top flight with Leicester. He shone brightly but all too briefly before he was involved with 'makeweight' Allan Clarke's record transfer from Fulham.
Lovingly told by Frank's eldest son, Paul. 'Have Boots will Travel' is a warm, nostalgic look at one of football's great journeymen, comprehensively researched and beautifully set in the context of more innocent times. The book benefits greatly from its unique personal perspective, complete access to Frank's family records, photos, friends and colleagues.
'Upon his retirement from football, Frank worked in a chemical factory on shifts - six days a week including 12 hours on both Saturdays and Sundays, over 60 hours per week. It was hard, dirty, difficult and monotonous work and while the money was OK, the weekends were lost for a decade. Nobody thanked him. We took it for granted and he accepted his duty.
One the day he died, I thanked him for being my Dad and especially for those years he had done in the factory. I was never more proud of him doing that. I promised myself that I would try and tell Frank's story as he deserved it'
Paul F. Large is the eldest son of Frank and Aileen's four children. A former PE teacher, Paul has spent the past 22 years as headteacher. He lives with his wife and daughters in Co. Mayo on the wild atlantic coast.
Have Boots will Travel - The Story of Frank Large (Hardback)
- Product Code: Paul F Large
- Availability: In Stock
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€21.99
Tags: 9781909626287