Justin Fashanu book

Justin Fashanu book

I posted on here a couple of years ago requesting your memories and anecdotes about the English footballer, Justin Fashanu, who played for Miramar Rangers in 1996/97. I got some great responses and useful contacts.

So this message is to thank those of you who responded and to let you know the book has just been published. It is called, rather obviously, Justin Fashanu: The Biography, and my name is Jim Read. It is for sale through the usual internet outlets. I hope, if you decide to buy it, you find it an interesting read.

 

Look forward to reading it as I well remember seeing both Fashanu brothers playing at different periods for Miramar- first John as a teenager in 1982 including the Chatham Cup Final live on TV (he was too fast for everyone else and was continually off-side) and then Justin in the 90's.  

Justin played for about 22 different clubs in his career (including a loan spell as a teenager at Adelaide City in Australia)- perhaps indicating how he couldn't fit in as a gay footballer.  

Look forward to reading about Justin's strained relationship with Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough who signed him for one million pounds and then sold him for loose change to Notts County after one season. Clough also had a NZ connection in that his sister lived in Nelson- he would visit in the English off-season and sometimes watch Nelson United matches in the 1980's.        

1998 BBC "Inside Story" doco on Justin made after his death (50 mins):  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8lUe59EP84&feature=related

Feb. 2012 BBC doco on Justin and gay footballers by his brother John's daughter Amal Fashanu, a model (four 15 min. parts):   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhX9idfN3Hg&feature=related        

Item on Justin and gay footballers made on tenth anniverary of Justin's death 2008:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuG5JG5CCdg&feature=related      

Compilaton of career highlights set to Justin's pop song "Do It 'Cos You like It" cut in 1982- actually one of the better efforts ever cut by a footballer:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnsH3JB9io&feature=related      

His greatest goal Norwich v Liverpool 1979-80 season:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuMPeoRkog8&feature=related      

Video tribute by British poet Inter Ference 2007:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn_liQG58vk   

Jim Read's Justin Fashanu biography (including referance to his time in NZ as the author mentions above) - available locally now at Whitcoulls stores and online here (free postage):

http://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/book/justin-fashanu-the-biography/37225288/

Some libraries such as Christchurch Public Library also have it.

Is a good read- Justin certainly wasn't your "typical" British footballer.

On a similar note, there's an episode of the recent series of British show "Who Do you Think You Are?" where celebrities trace their family history, involving gay comedian Alan Carr whose show "Alan Carr- Chatty Man" is on TV One on Saturday nights. Is fascinating as it's not what you'd expect - his dad is actually a retired pro footballer  (Northampton Town and York City) and former manager of Northampton Town and Blackpool who is currently Newcastle United's chief scout (what you would expect to be a "typical" footballing type), and he comes from a whole line of distinguished footballers. They get on great and share a similar sense of humour.

Alan Carr's dad coached former Christchurch United striker Richard Hill who became a huge star at Northampton as a prolific goalscorer after leaving NZ national league footie and was then signed by Graham Taylor at Watford when they were one of the best half-dozen sides in England.