Press Release
After giving a talk about the book at the Liverpool Blue Coat School (where Keith attended) with the current Head Debbie Silcock
In an enjoyable, easy-to-read style, this fascinating book examines and addresses many of the issues and challenges that these youngsters have to face, such as: - How can young players, and their parents, prepare themselves mentally for both success and failure at the same time? - How can a devastating setback be converted into a successful and happy life? - How can the game improve the overall development of young players as people? At the same time, this book also highlights the positive aspects of life as a young footballer and offers good guidance about what it takes to breakthrough at the top. While Mike Yates’ life story provides the backbone to the book, Keith Miller has cleverly added greater substance to the contents by including over twenty personal interviews with high profile people in the game such as Jamie Carragher, Ian Rush, Jamie Redknapp, John Barnes, Jason McAteer, Steve Heighway, Clarke Carlisle, Gareth Southgate, Gordon Taylor and more.
Keith, with his book, in front of the famous Kop at Anfield, Liverpool FC's ground
In another step away from convention, Miller has delivered a book that has been created to the highest standard of production values, incorporating a hard cover, top quality art paper and featuring numerous photographs throughout the book, including rare images of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen as young players that have never before been seen in public.
This book, the first Keith Miller has written, is a culmination of his combined passions for football and education. “I am not a famous author and Mike Yates is not a famous footballer, so I decided to create a different kind of book, one that gives an insight into the other side of ‘the glory game’. For every successful professional player there are many thousands more who spend most of the first 18 years of their life working hard to make the grade, but are inevitably released – sometimes resulting in negative consequences. Telling Mike Yates’ real life story is an effective way to educate young players and their parents about how to prepare for both failure and success in football. Our aim is that it will help inspire youngsters in the academy system to make a success of their life, whether in the game or beyond. From day one we were determined to deliver a high quality book, both in terms of content and production values, so it is very satisfying to be shortlisted for Best New Writer in The British Sports Book Awards. We are very grateful to all the many people who have helped us along the way.” - Keith Miller The book has earned widespread praise in the British media. ‘Yatesy’s true story gives an entertaining insider’s view of the life of a young footballer and it does a great job of describing the many ups and the downs of the game. Anybody interested in football will enjoy this book. Young players and their parents should really make a point of reading it because it is full of valuable advice, all based on actual personal experience at the top level.’ Steven Gerrard ‘All young players should be encouraged to read this book because they will enjoy it and learn a lot at the same time. Maybe then the realities will hit home.’ Jamie Carragher ‘It’s a vital read for any youngster who thinks they’re set for the big time.’ ***** 5/5 Four Four Two ‘For any player going through the system at the moment, parent with a footballing child, player to have slipped through the academy net or supporter who wants to know the intricacies and realities of the YTS world, this is something that should be read.’ Mail Online ‘Yet most of all, it is a revealing read for every football fan, as it offers a more realistic view of a rarely heard story from the sport.’ Daily Mirror ‘Among the densely-populated arena of drab, formulaic football autobiographies, it is a tome that shines bright, offering something different.’ Liverpool Daily Post ‘Keith Miller has shown that you don’t have to be a professional football hack to write a good book about professional football.’ Hunter Davies, New Statesman
The winners of the British Sports Book Awards will be announced at a gala black tie event at Lords Cricket Ground in London on May 21st. After the individual category winners have been announced on 21 May, each will then be promoted in a media and retail campaign with an online public vote determining the Overall British Sports Book of the Year. The public vote will held on the official website – www.britishsportsbookawards.co.uk. ‘Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and … Me - Mike Yates Tells His Story’ is currently available at all branches of Pages bookstores, the Soccer Fan Store at Sheraton Centre and at Miller Publishing Company. Find out more on the book's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Gerrard-Michael-Owen-and-Me/1420666311485933?ref=hl
British Sports Book Awards Shortlisted Titles 2014
