262

For the player/artist, the greatest freedom is the freedom of the soul. The referee/citizen is different: his strength lies in the very limit of his vision.

287

Cantona can now speak English better than Brian Clough. But he continues to make entries in his phrase book.

329

His letter of refusal says it all. "When the fox plays badminton with the goose, the shuttlecock is the loser."

375

Haiku 7

"Chelsea. Common girls

In short skirts and clever shoes.

Are you carrying?"

461

"Fancy another beer, Eric?"

485

On the pitch, Adamsy, Brucey, Pallistery, Keowny, Peacocky. Off the pitch, Pable Neruda, Queenie Leavis, Norman Tebbit, Jo Brand, Mary Whitehouse, John Birt, Cardinal Hume.

540

Cantona explains. "With its debt to mathematics and music, wit depends for its effect on an educated audience and shared assumptions."

549

In fiction, it might be amusing to see a donkey dive into a river and attempt to swim like an otter. In reality, it would be tiresome.

Do you see? Well, you're mistaken. Never read another football book again.

VERDICT:

630

The old man's eyes fill with tears. Will he always remember? Perhaps not. Old men forget.