The Life of Brian Honour
Front Cover
Author:
John Riddle

Foreword by:
Peter Beardsley

Classification:
Biography/Football


Brief Description: Brian Honour was born in the former pit village of Horden, County Durham, and his passion from a young age was always to become a professional footballer. Despite the odds and many setbacks, that’s exactly what he achieved, giving his all to the game and earning respect from fans, fellow players and the media alike. Many believed his skills would clinch him a place with a Premiership side and, although this was never to be, he is rightly considered a legend and The Life of Brian is a fitting tribute to the man who was affectionately dubbed ‘Mr Hartlepool United’.
Brian first became involved in football at the age of four, when Sir Stanley Matthews visited his home. He subsequently signed Schoolboy forms for Aston Villa, where he stayed for three years before being rejected as being too small. He then went for a trial at Darlington and signed as an apprentice, and in 1982, at the age of 18, he obtained a full professional contract. However, his dreams were soon shattered for a second time, when again he was told he was too small by the former Tottenham Hotspur and England fullback Cyril Knowles, then the Darlington manager.
Brian moved into non-League football with Peterlee Newtown, before being plucked from the mist at Tow Law by Billy Horner, the Hartlepool United manager. He would stay at the Victoria Ground for almost 11 years as a player before persistent injury forced him to retire. He was voted the supporters’ Player of the Season three times and was a member of the promotion-winning side of 1991. He has proved to be an excellent and inspiring youth coach, and spells in non-League football with Durham City, Horden Colliery Welfare and Bishop Auckland (twice) have run in tandem with his business ‘The Brian Honour Football School’.

Special Note: This book is also available as an ebook.

About the Author: John Riddle was born in Almondbury, Huddersfield, but shortly after he was born the family moved back to their hometown of Hartlepool. John was educated there at Jesmond Road Juniors, Dyke House and the College of Further Education. He obtained a place at Leeds University at the Department of Extra Mural Studies and graduated in 1973. He returned to the north-east and ‘did time’ as a Prison Probation Officer at HMP Kirklevington, Frankland Maximum Security Jail and the notorious ‘H’ Wing at Durham Prison, where he once had tea with Rosemary West and the late Myra Hindley - but not by choice, it was part of his job! He was seconded to the Durham Prison marketing team and sold the football nets made in the jail to League clubs. Two sets were sent to the Scottish FA and Wembley Stadium with the national flags woven into the background.


Author, John Riddle has his own website: www.riddlewrites.co.uk

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