Ooh Ah Stantona: From the Falklands to Europe - the Story of a Mothballing Warrior

by PhilStant (Author)

• New

  Illustrated
  2008

  $17.81

  'War doesn't start at nine in the morning and finish at five at night...As the war progressed I soon learned there was no time, dates or even an outside world, it was just an existence.'- Phil Stant's story is miles away from your usual footballer's rags-to-riches tale. He might have grown up like many sixties lads - idolising George Best and dreaming of playing at Wembley - but his life before professional football included bomb disposal, manoeuvres in the dark and seeing front-line action in the Falklands.Throughout his school days, Stant dreamed of gracing the pitch and hearing thousands of fans cheer his name. As his thoughts turned to an army career, however, he endured rigorous training and was soon engaged in combat and military exercises. Part of the task force that sailed to regain the Falkland Islands, Phil witnessed the defining moment in the conflict - the sinking of the Sir Galahad. He never gave up his love for football, and swapped the thrill and excitement of the battleground for the pitch, playing for a string of teams, including Notts County, Reading, Fulham, Brighton and Lincoln City.Phil writes about his extraordinary life from the days of 'jumpers for goalposts' to living in the barracks and his time on the frontline, onto the pitch and from the sidelines. Including an account of his return to the Falklands on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the conflict and with candid anecdotes told in Phil's frank style, this is a must-read with something for everyone.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2006

  $4.20

  Like many young boys, Phil Stant was an avid football fan as he grew up. Born in Bolton in the 1960s, he was an avid Bolton Wanderers fan and he was eager to become a top flight player, just like his idols. Phil's career began to take a different path though when he joined the army and progressed into the SAS. As his life became one filled with combat and military exercises, he never gave up his love for football. He eventually realised his childhood dream too when he became a professional footballer playing for Notts County, Reading, Fulham, Brighton and Lincoln City. Popular with the fans and team alike, he became the manager at Lincoln in 2000. In this frank account of a life lived to the full, Phil recalls his tales from the front line, onto the pitch and from the sidelines. With fun anecdotes such as the time that the only way he could make it to a match was by SAS helicopter to how he felt about being sensationally sacked from his managerial role at Lincoln. His warm, conversational style and wit make this a must-read book with something for everyone.