Some of the best autobiographies in sport are not from those who are well known across a diverse audience and though Bryan King's career had many a highlight, you would include him in what I would call a group of solid professionals that deserved more but ultimately didn't get the recognition they should have. However, the notion that the best autobiographies come from this group of players is particularly evident in his The Lions' King book that is a triumph from start to finish. Though you'll get more out of the book as a Millwall fan, any fan of the game will relate to what i'd term as an old-fashioned autobiography that gives you a bit of everything and a lot of joy. Recounting stories from his career moving up from non-league to the professional ranks to play nearly 400 games for Millwall, his flirtation with England and his subsequent career as a Manager and Scout over in Scandanavia, this book will catch your interest from the start and without doubt will be one of the best independent books you will ever read. 

It may not be your superstar but it's a book that you won't be sorry you picked up! The Lions' King does what a good sports book should do from the off and captures your imagination with it abundance of stories that are told with clarity, which ensures that you live those stories with him and captivates you as if you are in the book and there yourself. If this is King's first delve into writing a book, it doesn't show and his delivery is engaging. His early days growing up in Stansted before it became one of the UK's busiest airports, transports you back to a bygone era and growing up in a post-war society and his love affair growing up wanting to be a Goalkeeper can best be summed up in the following quote........"I’m not sure outfield players will ever understand, but there’s a unique music to goalkeeping. There’s a sound, a rhythm to a ball thudding into your hands that is so sweet; the feeling of being the last man and saving your team’s bacon is majestic and taking a ball in mid-air and flattening everybody and everything else in sight makes you gigantic." As a goalkeeper myself, it transported my own memories of longing to become a professional growing up but alas my talent was pretty much non-existent, yet those same feelings that King expresses are prevalent today and brought a great feeling that I know not everyone will feel but some will certainly relate too. 

Knowing little of King's career, I was fully expecting to learn a lot and I was not disappointed as he recounted his fascinating career charting his early life growing up in Stansted, going through all the emotions of his quest to become a professional footballer with the rejections coming before the hope that would eventually lead him to a stellar career in the game. As he moves through his career, King's flirtation with the England set-up without ever playing a game is bittersweet, with a plethora of fantastic anecdotes from being on the sidelines and looking from within though often on the outskirts. Along his path, come the likes of Bobby Moore, Sir Alf Ramsey and his idol Gordon Banks that enhance their own reputations as sportsmen and people. A large part of the book is his bond with Millwall and it's way of life as a Lion and its list of unsung heroes. Today, there is little to no chance of being involved with England, playing in what was then called the Second Division (Championship Equivalent) but his talent was seemingly there for many to see and it's to his probable detriment that staying at The Den cost him an International career. Add into that his sad departure from playing with injuries that would end his career and his futile fight to get back, the book gives you that tinge of sadness that King's career is probably best described as an unfulfilled talent, yet it is an uplifting tale of Retiring at a relatively early age, the second phase of his career is equally fascinating as he takes us through his managerial career over in Norway and some of the absurdities that occurred whilst over there making it an equally fascinating angle for the book.

 I'm sure I won't be the only reader that will harness a wish to visit the Norwegian fjords thanks to his enticing view that captures your interest.The opportunities that King took over in Norway are surprising in that he never got to manage one of the bigger sides, yet took over at regional clubs in the lower leagues and his stories and anecdotes of times spent with the likes of Kevin Beattie, Sven-Goran Eriksson and many others, bring the book to life and are genuinely enjoyable and sometimes border on the unbelievable! As we reach the end of the book, subjects tackled include both racism, death and the art of goalkeeping and are a serious but welcome addition to what has been an enticing read with the obligatory career stats and photo gallery which take you back to the stories in the book. Putting it plain and simply, this is a book that should be read. You don't have to have an allegiance to Millwall to enjoy this book, it is a funny and insightful autobiography that will capture any readers imagination and we have no doubt recommending this book to you.  The book has a bit of everything; a mountain of witty stories, the sadness that comes both personally and professionally and the warmth as he treads through a timeline from being a youngster with aspirations, through to today and looking back on a very fulfilled life with little regret of his time within the game and a game he still loves today. The beauty of this book is that it comes across as an old-fashioned autobiography that is story after story with a bit of opinion whereas many of the more modern sporting stars that are either still playing or have recently retired, look to a more psychological account of their time. Every reader is different and some will love this book and some will want that analysis that you get these days. 

Go out and buy this book via the links below, it's one that we are pretty sure you'll enjoy. Let us know your thoughts too!