'Staying Up' by R.A. Gekoski (1 Viewer)

M&B Stand

Well-Known Member
Tut tut. Had some of our best times with the old chancer at the helm. I know what you think but I would take him over anything that followed.

We had some good days in spite of him, not because of him.
 

Kilclines curly mullet

Well-Known Member
what's it about?

might get a copy.

Gekoski is a Cov supporter. He spent the season following the team. He had access to the training ground, team coach etc. spent time speaking to players, Strachan, Richardson etc. I'm literally flicking through now to remind me. Think he should ask to do a follow up book next season, imagine Fisher and Waggott's reaction.....would be a best seller!!!!
 

James Smith

Well-Known Member
what's it about?

might get a copy.

It's about one of our seasons in the premier league and was written by a bloke who was given unusually good access to the club and team. He even got to travel on the team coach and said even the chairman wasn't allowed by Gordon to do that. I used to read it on the way to games and it was a very interesting look at the club from the inside. Well worth a read especially if you can get it cheaply.
 
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Otis

Well-Known Member
It's about one of our seasons in the premier league and was written by a bloke who was given unusually good access to the club and team. He even got to travel on the team coach and said even the chairman wasn't allowed by Gordon to do that. I used to read it on the way to games and it was a very interesting look at the club from the inside. Well worth a read especially if you can get it cheaply.


Think they might possibly have it at Fargo Village.

A shop there that has a section of Coventry City stuff. Old books and video's and mugs and programmes etc. Stuff going back 50 years or so.
 

Terry Gibson's perm

Well-Known Member
When I moved house I threw my copy away as it had been in the garage for years.
 

RegTheDonk

Well-Known Member
what's it about?

might get a copy.

As some have said above, it's definitely worth a read. Its been years since I read it and I don't know where my copy is, but a good insight into how the players and staff interact and what they get up to between games. Didn't realise how may afternoon naps they take. And, I think, Hucks was the butt of some good banter because he was painted as a bit thick.
 

Bill Glazier

Active Member
Yes it's a great book and won sport book of the year I believe. Gekoski is an interesting character, an American who was/is a first edition book dealer. I think he had been a lecturer at Warwick University's American literature faculty. Every city fan should read it, as someone said earlier, it shows how far and fast we've fallen.
 

skybluelee

Well-Known Member
Think they might possibly have it at Fargo Village.

A shop there that has a section of Coventry City stuff. Old books and video's and mugs and programmes etc. Stuff going back 50 years or so.

Any idea what the name of the shop is, Otis? Cheers
 

Osullivan18

Well-Known Member
Slightly off topic, I used to lodge with his ex wife in Leamington, who, from what I remember had a large rare book collection which was supposedly his but she wouldn't give him back.
Haven't read the book though.
 

JimmyHillsbeard

Well-Known Member
it's a great read but Gekowski clearly thought that it would be a fascinating account of a club on the brink of relegation year after year. All good, but he was granted unprecedented access to the club in the the most sucessful season since the cup win.

The failure to recast the book to reflect this (it should be the story of a near miss, the Sheff utd quarter final) and continue with the publicity and title that focus on relegation was very disappointing; as was the strange decision not to travel to some matches (he jokes about not wanting to go to northern clubs beginning with B), missing the 5-1 win at Bolton for instance when it became clear that something special was happening.
 

tisza

Well-Known Member
It's an interesting read though it gives limited genuine insight into what was behind the optimism I.e. Richardson of the time.
nothing was behind the optimism it's just the way he was. knew him and his family pretty well. maybe one day i should write a book about those times!!!
 
J

Jack Griffin

Guest
Does it need a sequel? There must be plenty of material, but I think publication of any such book till SISU have departed implausible.
 

armybike

Well-Known Member
Ordered a used copy via Amazon for a few quid which arrived today. Looking forward to reading it, cheers for the heads up
 

gazza

Well-Known Member
Just finished reading this, quite a good book and well worth a read, although sad to think how far we have fallen since

Anyone recommend any other football related books?
 

Terry Gibson's perm

Well-Known Member
Just finished reading this, quite a good book and well worth a read, although sad to think how far we have fallen since

Anyone recommend any other football related books?

left foot forward by Gary Nelson is an excellent read
 

Danceswithhorses

Well-Known Member
left foot forward by Gary Nelson is an excellent read
Agreed...enjoyed reading that one many years ago.
Tony Cascarino's book was quite good-he was very honest.
Tony Adam's book was interesting too, especially when you found out how much beer he drank and could still function as a pro.
 
H

Huckerby

Guest
Just finished reading this, quite a good book and well worth a read, although sad to think how far we have fallen since

Anyone recommend any other football related books?
Mine arrived the other day, going to start on it tonight. Will let you know what i think
 

Captain Dart

Well-Known Member
Agreed...enjoyed reading that one many years ago.
Tony Cascarino's book was quite good-he was very honest.
Tony Adam's book was interesting too, especially when you found out how much beer he drank and could still function as a pro.

Unlike when he told the FAI that he had an Irish grandparent ;-) (I seem to remember he eventually fessed up that his claim to be qualified to play for Ireland was invalid).
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/oct/29/newsstory.sport12
 
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gazza

Well-Known Member
left foot forward by Gary Nelson is an excellent read

just ordered this, cheers

maybe we could start a skybluetalk book club for the closed season, least give us something to talk about over the next 9 weeks

was strange to read in staying up that he has a problem with northern towns beginning with the letter B, I always had a problem with the ones beginning with H :D
 

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