by WayneRooney (Author)
At just 20 years of age, Wayne Rooney is already one of the best footballers in the world. From his early years in Croxteth, his Premiership debut as a 16-year-old, his ebullient entrance on the international scene in Euro 2004, to the drama of the 2006 World Cup, this is his amazing story so far. What is the true story behind the most talked-about person in British football? Were there signs of things to come in his upbringing in the back streets of Liverpool? What were the early influences that shaped his character? And how has the meteoric rise to fame and fortune affected this seemingly shy yet prodigiously gifted youngster? For the first time in his own words, Rooney opens up about the defining years of his life as the son of a working-class family, brought up in a council house with his Everton-mad family. There followed his first tentative steps in football, the triumphs and knock backs along the way, the accolades that began to follow his every move as a young teenager, and destiny fulfilled on his Premiership debut for Everton at the tender age of 16. He goes on to describe how his life changed irrevocably when Alex Ferguson and Manchester United came calling in the summer of 2004, his dazzling efforts for England in the European Championships, a private life never far from the tabloid headlines, and the real story behind his relationship with partner Coleen McLoughlin. He reveals the anguish of the foot injury that threatened his participation in World Cup 2006, and how his determination led to a remarkable recovery in time to play a part in the group stage of the tournament. And he describes how his delight at playing again for his country turned to despair after his controversial sending-off in the quarter-final against Portugal and England's subsequent elimination in the penalty shoot-out. The story so far, is presented in Rooney's own words. From the streets of Croxteth to the stadiums of Germany - a journey of a lifetime squeezed into a mere twenty years.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: New title
Publisher: HarperSport
Published: 27 Jul 2006
ISBN 10: 0007236433
ISBN 13: 9780007236435
`He stands head and shoulders above the rest' Daily Telegraph
Wayne Rooney was born in Liverpool in October 1985. He was only nine when he was spotted by Everton scout Bob Pendleton playing for boys' club Copplehouse in the local Walton and Kirkdale Junior League. In his last season with them he scored 99 goals before joining the Everton academy. He was the youngest scorer in Premier League history in 2002, at the age of 16, and the youngest to score for England, age 17. He joined Manchester United in August 2004 for a fee of GBP20 million. He has 33 international caps and 11 goals to date.
Hunter Davies has written over 40 biographies, including the authorized book on The Beatles and the 2004 hardback bestseller Gazza: My Story.