Peter Swan's autobiography, co-written with Tony Hand, Mike Appleton, and Nick Johnson, offers a raw and poignant glimpse into one of English football's most controversial careers. The book strips away decades of speculation surrounding the infamous match-fixing scandal that derailed what should have been a legendary career.
Swan's journey is reminiscent of a Greek tragedy. Rising from Sheffield Wednesday's youth ranks in 1952, he quickly established himself as one of England's finest centre-halves, earning 19 consecutive caps for the national team. His commanding presence and defensive prowess made him a near-certainty for England's 1966 World Cup squad. But fate had other plans. The book details how a single misguided decision to bet on a match led to a four-month prison sentence and an indefinite ban from football – a punishment that would keep him sidelined for eight devastating years.
What makes this account particularly compelling is Swan's unflinching honesty. He doesn't seek sympathy but rather clarity, methodically addressing the myths that have surrounded the scandal. Through previously unseen photographs and firsthand accounts, readers gain unprecedented insight into both the glory days at Hillsborough and the dark period that followed, where Swan found himself working manual jobs to support his young family.
Sadly, Peter Swan passed away in January 2021 at the age of 84, making this book an even more valuable testament to his legacy. His final years were spent in Sheffield, where he remained a respected figure despite the controversy that marked his career.
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Publisher: Visit History Press
Published: 2006
Price: £0.99
Hardcover: 222 pages
Lavishly illustrated
Postal Weight: 850g
