Not Such A Bad Life


By The Longside
March 26 2021

Paul Weller was a one-club player. He moved from sunny Brighton aged just 16 to dreary Burnley, with its grey skies, run-down terraced streets and mill chimneys, where riots were among the first things he saw.

 A more timid person might have caught the first train home. But he went on to play 252 games for the Clarets between 1993 and 2005. He would have played many more but for suffering the debilitating effects of colitis. It took a huge chunk out of his career, forcing him out of the first team. Other players might have capitulated, but he faced the problem head on, battled it and beat it and got back into the first team, with a promotion to the Championship. Remarkably, he was 'player of the season' the very next year. This is a real-life story of how to overcome obstacles and fight illness using courage, grit and determination. But it is also a story of the bullying, pitfalls and perils that await any aspiring footballer, the impact of managers and the inhuman cruelty with which players can be so casually released.


Not Such a Bad Life, by Paul Weller with Dave Thomas; published by Pitch Publishing, April 2021, RRP £19.99 – available at Burnley FC club shop and all good bookshops.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Not Such A Bad Life
Discussion started by TheLongside.co.uk , 26/03/2021 08:48
TheLongside.co.uk
26/03/2021 08:48
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

fulledgelad
27/03/2021 22:08
Yep buying the book

This is a decent, enlightening listen

Pie & A Pint Meets Paul Weller

BC3
28/03/2021 11:06
"Enlightening listen" indeed FL, well worth an hour of anyone's time, if only to find out about Chris Waddle's first day, which manager was a 'clown', and who the 'lanky streak of 's-h-i-t' was. thumbs down

fulledgelad
28/03/2021 13:48
Quote:
BC3
"Enlightening listen" indeed FL, well worth an hour of anyone's time, if only to find out about Chris Waddle's first day, which manager was a 'clown', and who the 'lanky streak of 's-h-i-t' was. thumbs down

Ok, so you already knew. no need to get sarcy..(Sm14)

BC3
28/03/2021 13:59
You've lost me FL, I didn't know any of it until I listened to that podcast, I meant exactly what I posted, no idea why you think there was any sarcasm involved. None intended anyway.

fulledgelad
28/03/2021 14:20
It's ok, Bc, Just checking.
When I first read it, it did come across as genuine. then I thought hang on, this is Bc.
So I read it again, then again....the more I read it I had more of a sarcastic undertone jumping out at me. (Sm6)

Sorry, no offence intended.

BC3
28/03/2021 21:58
I am offended FL, I post with the best of intentions and get told I'm a sarcastic tw@t. That's a nice welcome back isn't it. (Sm16)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:03:28:21:59:41 by BC3.

fulledgelad
29/03/2021 00:23
oh come on, Bc, don't be like that. I was the first one to welcome you back with open arms.

BC3
29/03/2021 11:15
Aye, you just wanted someone else to insult. (Sm17)

Brian O'Neil
30/03/2021 00:34
is this feigned or sincere hurt BC ? Warmer days are a coming, pie and a pint in the offing, Prem survival ensured.......trusting you on this BC. Not the time for fallings out we are after all the gods own very special people, Clarets.

fulledgelad
30/03/2021 01:35
A firefighter come, drama queen (Sm6)

BC3
30/03/2021 09:30
Nothing much changes does it, you still take me far too seriously. Do I really lose sleep and get upset because FL thinks I'm a sarcy tw@t ?

Honestly no. On we go. (Sm7)

BC3
30/03/2021 09:42
Just back on the OP, sincerely, with no malice aforethought or sarcasm intended, I thought that Weller Podcast was brilliant listening, an hour well spent. I can't imagine any Burnley fan not being enthralled by it.

Will that do FL, am I a good boy now ? (Sm115)

fulledgelad
30/03/2021 13:09
God forbid that I fall out with anyone of you who are still active on here. Every one of you is so precious to me. I mean that so sincerely.
I can be a little sceptical at times. To be honest though. I have no idea why I got it into my head that your words may not have been genuine.

I sincerely & profusely apologise, Bc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:03:30:13:21:03 by fulledgelad.

BC3
30/03/2021 14:38
No apologies necessary FL, a mis-understanding, storm in a teacup. We're good. (Sm128)

fulledgelad
30/03/2021 17:06
Cheers, Bc smileys with beer

Foreverclaret
31/03/2021 14:41
Definitely a great listen, thanks for the link FL, I too was enthralled BC I reckon I could listen to Weller all day, never really heard much from him before, seems a sound genuine Northern bloke.
I will get round to listening to Glen Little soon FL.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net
 

StreamFootball - Burnley