📘 Check out Mick's latest book 'The Smell Of Football 3' here: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/smell-football-iii
📕 You can also purchase 'The Smell Of Football 2', the prequel to Mick's latest book, here: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/smell-football-ii
Welcome to the "They Think It's All Rovers" Podcast.
Today’s episode sees us sit down with Mick Rathbone, who spent eight years at Rovers.
The discussion starts with his early days at his boyhood club Birmingham City and their fierce rivals, Aston Villa. Mick discusses the pressures of playing under Sir Alf Ramsay and his childhood hero Trevor Francis.
He then discusses how he fell out of love with football and having to be convinced to go on loan to Rovers, where he rediscovered his enjoyment for the game, and then how he wanted to make the move permanent.
His life at Rovers then comes under the radar, with discussions on the 1980 promotion from the third tier, life with injury after he broke his leg in 1983, and then his frustration at missing the 1987 Full Members' Cup final.
His departure is then the main talking point, before his time playing at Preston and then as as caretaker manager/physio/player at Halifax Town.
Mick's long-standing physiotherapy career comes up next, before we finish with a discussion on his new book 'The Smell Of Football 3'.
Information on 'The Smell Of Football 3'
The third and final part of the highly acclaimed The Smell Of Football trilogy – told with flair and unique insider insight.
Mick ‘Baz’ Rathbone concludes his riveting football memoir with a 100-day diary starting in the early 2024/5 season. Once again, he brings us a unique insight into the world of professional football, this time through his role as a physio.
Written with humour and candour, the book demonstrates that incredibly fine line between winning and losing – the width of a goalpost or a referee’s decision – and the diametrically opposed emotions they bring.
This book is for diehard fans who support their team unconditionally, season after season. It will show them just how much the players and officials really do care and, sadly, just how painful and emotionally draining defeat is. It is an honest account that draws on the author’s incredible 50 years in professional sport, bringing to life the day to day running of a professional football club.
Just like its predecessors, this third book – perhaps the finest in the trilogy – makes you feel as if you are there with Mick sharing his experiences. Read and you will discover:
An in-depth description of a leisurely pre-season – the manager’s favourite part of the year: that pressure-free lull before the storm when results don’t matter
The plight of the poor trialist doing pre-season in the ‘last chance saloon’ of a League Two club with one of the smallest budgets: the book exposes the fragility of their careers
The physical and psychological effects of a mystery injury to a key player, and the emotional attachment between the player and physiotherapist
The delicate and potentially volatile interaction between the manager and the head of the medical department: the daily morning meeting is brought to life
A fascinating insight into the day-to-day minutia of life at a small provincial League Two club, with a no-holds-barred look behind the scenes
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