search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
PITCHCARE CLASSIFIEDS BOOK REVIEW


Life’s a Pitch when you’re a groundsman


Ian Darler has won just about every award the groundsperson industry has to offer, managed his stadium through tempestuous and terrific times and dealt with as many life-and-death situations as some paramedics


Now Head Groundsman at Cambridge United for forty years, Ian recently released his autobiography ‘Life’s a Pitch: The Groundsman’s Tale’ where he looks back on an eventful career - recollecting the highs and lows at the Abbey Stadium. Kerry Haywood reviews.


As I’m sure many of us can relate to, my quest for finding a suitable book for my pending holiday was an important decision. The pressure of making the right choice is enormous, and my goodness did I make the right choice!


From the outset, Ian’s personality shines through as he tells the story of a life that has seen him rub shoulders with some of the greatest and funniest characters in football, turn out the kind of surfaces players dream of, cross swords with the occasional manager and cope with catastrophes that would have floored a lesser mortal.


Ian’s loyalty and commitment to his club is apparent. Through the good and bad times, Ian has given his soul and, on occasion, his own money to ensure the pitch, aka ‘his baby’, is in excellent condition - all on a shoestring budget.


Throughout the book, Ian relates tales of how he started his career, what it's really like behind the scenes and the vast amount of skills and determination required to stay at a club for forty years. There are also funny stories such as his relationship with police officers, who thought it would be hilarious to arrest him whilst on a shopping trip with his wife Lisa.


But, there is one section that really strikes a chord - Chapter 11: Life Changing. Ian speaks about the life- threatening incident that nearly ended his career and plunged him into a very dark place. Ian describes the incident in such detail and explains the intensive surgery and recovery process he faced. He does this with such emotion that his courage and honesty really made me reflect on a time in my life when I questioned everything - and his words and relatability made it okay to do that.


The chapter describes how he went through years of not knowing what was wrong. And then he was diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and got the support he needed through therapy and, most importantly, the understanding from the club about what he was going through.


Reviews


Ian says: "My request for help met with no response whatsoever and, at one point, I was even put under pressure to return to work when I was clearly unfit. That caused a lot of stress and worry and disgusted my clinical team."


Whether you have an affiliation with Cambridge FC or not, this book is so much more than that. I'm sure many of you will find comfort in the similarity of your own day to day struggles and enjoy it for the enthralling rollercoaster ride that it is. Like the reviews, I found it hard to put this book down and I found it a real insight into the problems and responsibilities Ian has faced across his career.


Life’s a Pitch is published by sports and special interest publisher G2 Entertainment and you can purchase it from Amazon.co.uk


Club ‘legend’ is a term sometimes ban- died around for players and managers, but few have spent so long at one club, given so much time, money and commit- ment at no small cost to his personal life for so many years. (Not to mention his fundraising for other local charities). A thoroughly decent bloke. This book is a fascinating, moving and humorous insight into, not just the club, but Ian as a person too.


D. York


This book represents a rare opportunity. An opportunity to read the experiences of somebody who has forty years service in a job and is still doing that job today. The ups and downs, rewards and challenges of being an integral part in the functioning of a small football club are all vividly told in this book.


Neil Weston


This is one of the best books I’ve read - full of anecdotes; some funny, some serious. Whether you are a Cambridge supporter or not, I would fully recommend buying this as it’s a real page turner. It’s a welcome change from the normal run of the mill autobiograpies. Overall a great read.


A Burge


Ian Darler has seen it all. You get to laugh out loud and also cry with empathy throughout the book. You must read it. Do not miss this chance to see how football REALLY works!


Graham Daniels


I don’t read many books and when I do it takes me a lifetime to read, but I read Life’s a Pitch in three days straight. The guy is an amazing groundsman and his stories keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t recommend this book enough! The guy has been head-hunted so many times, from Wembley to the Etihad stadium, but he has stayed loyal to Cambridge. A true legend.


Amazon Customer


Brilliant life story of a true gentleman. Loyal and hardworking for forty years. Many very funny and also a few sad tales. Couldn’t put it down. Have never read a book so fast.


M. Coulson


152 PC October/November 2019


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164