Once Upon a Toon: 18 Years Inside Newcastle United

In the vast library of football literature, few books promise such a uniquely intimate perspective as Paul Ferris's "Once Upon a Toon." Set for release in May 2025, this memoir offers an extraordinary triple-lens view of Newcastle United - through the eyes of a player, physiotherapist, and management team member. With Alan Shearer penning the foreword, the book already carries the stamp of Newcastle royalty.
What makes Ferris's account particularly special is his unprecedented position within the club. Having served as a player in the 1980s, physiotherapist in the 1990s and early 2000s, and later as part of Alan Shearer's management team in 2009, Ferris possessed an all-access pass to three distinct eras of one of England's most storied clubs. This three-dimensional perspective sets "Once Upon a Toon" apart from typical football memoirs.
The book promises to be a treasure trove of previously untold stories from a transformative period in English football. Ferris's accounts of interactions with legends like Kevin Keegan, Jack Charlton, Paul Gascoigne, and George Best offer windows into a bygone era of the sport. These tales from the 1980s capture football at a crucial turning point, before the Premier League's glamour and riches changed the game forever.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Ferris provides insider accounts of working alongside some of football's most compelling managers. His observations of Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, and Sir Bobby Robson during the club's tumultuous 1993-2006 period promise to shed new light on one of Newcastle's most dramatic epochs. The inclusion of Alan Shearer's brief but memorable managerial stint adds another layer of intrigue to this rich tapestry.
Following his success with "The Boy on the Shed" and "The Magic in the Tin," Ferris brings his proven storytelling abilities to this project. The book's deliberately light-hearted tone suggests an entertaining read that balances humor with insight. Rather than a dry chronological account, it appears to be structured around the most memorable characters and moments from his extensive tenure at the club.
Given Ferris's diverse career path - from footballer to physiotherapist to barrister and successful business CEO - readers can expect a perspective that extends beyond the typical boundaries of football literature. His varied experiences should provide a broader context to the beautiful game's place in northern English culture and society.
For Newcastle United supporters, this book promises to be an essential addition to their collections, offering fresh insights into some of the club's most memorable periods. For wider football fans, it presents a valuable historical document of how English football evolved from the 1980s through to the modern era.
While the book is yet to be released, the combination of Ferris's unique position within the club, his proven writing ability, and the rich period of football history he covers suggests "Once Upon a Toon" will be a significant addition to football literature. The inclusion of Alan Shearer's foreword adds further credibility to what promises to be an enlightening and entertaining chronicle of life inside one of English football's most passionate clubs.
A must-read for Newcastle United fans and anyone interested in the evolution of English football through one of its most transformative periods. ~ soccerbooks 2024
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Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: May 8, 2025
Price: £20.00>
ISBN-10: 1399420119
ISBN-13: 978-1399420112
Hardcover: 240 pages
Dimensions: 152 x 233 (mm)