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Editorial Review:
As a young Jewish boy growing up in Manchester, Colin Shindler learned early what it meant to be part of a minority. When a cruel twist of fate determined he support Manchester City, rather than their more consistently successful neighbours Manchester United, the youngster was doomed forever to live on the margins.
Manchester United Ruined My Life is a delightful, humourous look at what it meant to grow up in 1960s Jewish Manchester. Reconciled with rival fans only in summer, when both could sit peacefully side by side at the unimaginatively named "Old Trafford" ground of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Shindler will speak for many with his frustration at the marketing machine that is Manchester United plc. Pulling no punches--"When Alex Ferguson finally clears his desk, it is more likely to be at the request of the chairman of the Stock Exchange than the traditional choir of disaffected supporters"--he vents his fury at the unashamed commercialisaton of the game, the diasporic fan base (many of whom have never set foot inside England, never mind Old Trafford) and the feisty Scottish manager himself, with an obsession only true fans of the game will appreciate.
But more than just a sporting commentary lamenting the bygone Halcyon days of English soccer, Manchester United Ruined My Life is one little boy's story of his struggle to establish his identity among the challenges of religion, family and death. Shindler's prose is easy and accessible yet lyrical and evocative; there is no doubt his love for his city has endured. That this affection is somewhat rose-tinted, tinged with the distance a successful television career in London allows, takes nothing away from the book. Manchester United Ruined My Life is a commodity more valuable than Old Trafford shares--it is an enjoyable, highly readable, football book with real literary merit. Highly recommended for everyone who has ever sung "Stand Up, If You Hate Man U". --Lucie Naylor
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Reviewing the reviews This hardened bitter blue is currently on TV, which prompted me to look at this. The hilarity of this book is in the reviews on here by those abu's obsessed by United. Small time repetition of familiar , inaccurate moans by those who are jealous that their team isn't as big as the real Manchester team ,supported by the majority of Mancunians interested in football.
ManYoo in the eyes of a supporter Shindler's account of being a Manchester United fan ignites that part of us(ie those football fans) where our allegiance crosses barriers of race, creed and oceans so as to associate with our respective football clubs. Moreover, his account of the commercialization of football to the extent that balance sheets mean much more than football tables is too true.
Pleasant, but routine This is a pleasant read, but there isn't much new about it. The book's tone and subject matter reminded me of Nick Hornby's rather better "Fever Pitch". Tracing Colin Shindler's life, loves and footballing ups and downs provided a pleasant distraction for few morning and evening commutes, however. Sort of recommended, but if you've already read "Fever Pitch", you might find this a bit dull.
A truly splendid read! I enjoyed this form cover to cover. I grew up in the eighties supporting City and coming from Cheshire, so rants aside about Lancashire (Red) V Cheshire (Blue), this book although 20 years previous to my experience made me feel liek City have always been the same. Excellent. Only other let down was the title. "Manchester United ruined" , would have been better... we can only hope.....
