Magical: A Life in Football

A hero at Burnley FC, Paul Fletcher established himself as a potent striker amassing nearly 300 appearances for The Clarets in the 1970s after signing from local rivals, Bolton Wanderers. Following his football career, he went on to become one of the world's leading stadium experts having been involved in the construction of four UK stadiums and adviser to 30 others around the world. He was Commercial Director of the new Wembley Stadium until controversially walking away as costs escalated and has been Chief Executive at Huddersfield Town, Coventry City, Bolton Wanderers and latterly again at Burnley FC. Aside from his professional football and stadium building career his CV includes playing football on Blackpool Beach, being a speaker at Cambridge University, meeting Kings and Queens, Bishops and Prime Ministers, sporting legends and heroes, comedians and football's top brass. And he has stories about most of them. He's also a much-in-demand after dinner speaker and can turn his hand to playing the ukulele - his rendition of 'When I'm Cleaning Windows' is said to be legendary! The title 'Magical' comes from his experiences in the game that have given him such a wonderful life and varied career - not bad for a lad from a council estate who left school at 16 and who eventually helped found a university and received an MBE for his services to football. But this is a far more than just a football book; it is packed with laughter and is filled with anecdotes of events and players and stadium building. Paul Fletcher's story comes not just from Burnley but from the wider football world and will appeal to all fans of the game.