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This book then is an autobiography of a real football man who's had more to his life than just football. A tough Scott who has covered a lot of interesting ground since his childhood in a Gorbals tenement building. Amongst other things he's been a trainee painter, football apprentice, committed player, four time Final loser, European winner, captain of a Double winning team, PFA player of the year, MBE, manager, coach, pub landlord, property owner, club owner, agent, pundit, after dinner speaker, proud granddad and more. Frank has had many highs and lows, some of both being not entirely unconnected with his feisty honest nature and his ability to speak his mind without always fully considering the consequences. He's been in more than the odd scrape and he is a fine observer of people, tactics, trends, opposition, colleagues and foes. This is a delightfully interesting football story that manages to drop some very big names entirely into context rather than just for the sake of name-dropping.
Where social or historical context is required it is given in a simple manner that will enable younger readers to understand and relate to the goings on as much as McLintock's contemporary's. It's full of interesting insights and not short on gritty humour or classic throwaway lines and descriptions. To judge how highly Frank was rated in his day it's no coincidence to find that he was ‘tapped up' by both Bill Shankley and Don Revie and was also wanted by Brian Clough. He was also described by Bob Paisley as the top English League player of the 1970's and was known as Mr. Arsenal by many in and around Highbury.
Unfortunately for Frank the prejudices of petty minded selectors north of the border and the parochial ignoramuses of the Scottish press combined to curtail his Scottish national team appearances to just nine matches, but he's still obviously enormously proud to have captained his country. You don't get the impression though that he's all that bothered about never having played in the Scottish Leagues.
Frank McLintock joined Arsenal for a British record fee of £80,000 and although Billy Wright was a failure at Highbury this particular purchase, by the then manager, was not only a great gift to his successors Bertie Mee and Don Howe, but also ultimately a total bargain at the price. The 1971 side features prominently in this book, just as you would expect, but there is plenty to be found in this story for both Leicester and Queen's Park Rangers fans as well as Gooners.
Naturally I read this title as an Arsenal fan but Frank's anecdotes about Dave Mackay, Jim Baxter, Gento, Alex Ferguson, Don Revie and the like are just as enthralling.
Some of his failures have proved rather painful but you always get the impression of a resilient character capable of bouncing back from adversity. Something that he's had to do throughout his various careers, not all of which were as resoundingly successful as his long and illustrious playing career. Frank also makes it clear that his Glaswegian upbringing has sometimes made it difficult to express himself emotionally but his love and pride in his family is very evident as is his modest pride in his achievements to date. I say to date because although he's now approaching retirement age it's difficult to see such a lively and likeable individual slowing down too much, it's just not in his nature and he still harbours a number of ambitions which include reducing his golfing handicap even further.
If like me you sobbed tears of joy when we memorably won the Fair's Cup and were as delighted for Frank as much as you were for the Club and yourself when he finally climbed the Wembley steps as a winner you'll love this book. If you're an Arsenal fan who would like further insider insight into the decline, progress, success and decline of the Club between 1964 and 1973 this book is a must. A lot of older Gooners like myself will always, quite justifiably, rate the '71 side as our favourite Arsenal team ever not least because they gave us something we hadn't had for a good many years – success. There was never any doubt amongst the punters of the day that a fair chunk of that success was due to Frank and his earnest endeavours as one of our greatest ever captains.
True Grit – Frank McLintock the Autobiography
Published by Headline
Price £18.99
Available from any half-decent bookshop who will obtain it for you if you quote this reference ISBN 0 7553 1412 3 Or order from your favourite online bookstore and all the usual places in and around Highbury.