Everton and Wales defender Ashley Willaims has quickly become one of the hottest properties in Barclays Premier League football.
In 2011, along with Swansea sports writer David Brayley, Ashley began work on his diary of his debut season with Swansea City in the Premier League - the first ever Welsh club to make it into that division - and also his attempt to get Wales, finally, to qualify for a major football tournament.
From his first day in pre-season training at Swansea in July 2011, up to his final match of the season at the end of May in the space age MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Wales played Mexico in manager Chris Coleman's first game in charge, Ashley has chronicled every step of his long season. From screaming in terror in a cable car going up an Alp in a pre-season training tour, to his debut against multi millionaire Manchester City, to scoring against Chelsea, to beating Arsenal, and including the most poignant tribute to his mentor, former Wales boss Gary Speed, Ashley covers everything of note in this landmark season.
The book will have an introduction by England international Rio Ferdinand. It also includes anecdotes on many of the famous characters in the Premier League, including Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and Andy Carol. Also gives an insight into Brendan Rogers and his role as manager at Swansea City as well as the emotional chapter on the loss of his Wales manager, Gary Speed.
In 2011, along with Swansea sports writer David Brayley, Ashley began work on his diary of his debut season with Swansea City in the Premier League - the first ever Welsh club to make it into that division - and also his attempt to get Wales, finally, to qualify for a major football tournament.
From his first day in pre-season training at Swansea in July 2011, up to his final match of the season at the end of May in the space age MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Wales played Mexico in manager Chris Coleman's first game in charge, Ashley has chronicled every step of his long season. From screaming in terror in a cable car going up an Alp in a pre-season training tour, to his debut against multi millionaire Manchester City, to scoring against Chelsea, to beating Arsenal, and including the most poignant tribute to his mentor, former Wales boss Gary Speed, Ashley covers everything of note in this landmark season.
The book will have an introduction by England international Rio Ferdinand. It also includes anecdotes on many of the famous characters in the Premier League, including Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra and Andy Carol. Also gives an insight into Brendan Rogers and his role as manager at Swansea City as well as the emotional chapter on the loss of his Wales manager, Gary Speed.
