Running Through Walls: Dave Langan

This is a football book of real interest about a player in the First Division (now The Premiership) in the late 70`s and 80`s and all the professional and personnel issues he had to deal with. Signed by Brian Clough for Derby County and played for clubs managed by Jim Smith and Ron Saunders among others. Capped 26 times at international level and was seriously disappointed about not been selected for the 1988 European Championship.There are many genuine surprises in the book. All through his playing career, Dave Langan had pride, passion and committment to club and country, something that money cannot buy.

Before reading this book I had never heard of Dave Langan. I was too young to remember his playing days. His story is heartbreaking, at times funny and a very poignant reminder to us all that success in anything is fleeting. Every promising young footballer should be made read this book to show them that nothing is guaranteed in life. The way Big Jack treated Dave Langan was disgraceful and for all he achieved with IRISH soccer the stories like this remind us that there are two sides to every story. I highly recommend this book to any IRISH sports fan and to all fans of football in general.

I had the privilege of seeing Davie Langan playing at Lansdowne Road and I also felt privileged to have bought his book in the hope that it will improve his life in some small part. This is not the Tony Cascerino masterpiece or Eamon Dunphy's fascinating insight in the life of a professional footballer. However, the book does act to demonstrate the marked contrast between the top flight footballers of 25 years ago and the millionaire lifestyles they have today. The book won't win any literacy prizes and at the end of it I was left with the same bitter after taste as I had after reading Paul McGrath's autobiography about addicts looking for sympathy as victims. I liked that the book included contributions from the family, friends and former colleagues of Davie and it is clear that Davie is loved by those that know him best. Undoubtedly Davie did figuratively run through walls to play for his country and went through extreme physical pain and mental torture to do so. Many of fans say we'd do anything to play professional football and play for our country and at one point Dave is quoted as making a comment to one of his many surgeons that he'd do it all again. The reason those of fans who saw Davie playing loved him was because we suspected that if he hadn't been playing on the pitch he'd have been on the terraces with us. But with three two failed marriages and three estranged adult children I can safely say that I wouldn't to anything have played for Ireland.

As a right back with Irish parents growing up in the city at that special time you can only imagine how much I identified with Dave Langan. The Oxford fans loved him as much now as they did then.Dave your a legend and have been mentioned countless times in the bars of NYC.

I appreciate that the the cas celebre, now is to compare how some many great great players just missed the huge monetary input of the premier league by a fraction had they been there 3 years later (premier league) they would of been sitting pretty,sans injuries. Being an OUFC fan looking forward to more on the glory Years at the manor, but still a great read. Only then do you appreciate the life of the present day footballer.

It could have been so much better, the story itself is a good tale but there are several errors and typos which frustrated me. It seems to hop from year to year which may confuse the reader. No doubting the player's popularity but I think it could have been a great book.

This autobiography brings you through the years of Dave Langan's ascent through the footballing ranks to represent the country that he'd run through walls for. Anecdotes pack the chapters of his time with Derby, Brum, Oxford and Ireland. The conceit at the end of each chapter of the interviews of key members of Dave's life works well as a counterpoint to the first person narration.Dave Langan was one of the first players I can remember seeing, as my dad brought me along to Lansdowne Road in the early 80s. There were more storied names in some of those teams, but it was the flying right full that tackled everything that stuck in my mind.However once the pinnacle of international football (and domestic honours) has been reached, it brings you through the many descents that the man faced, as well as responsibilities ducked throughout his life. Throughout the recounting of these travails, the author is never less than honest in standing up to his failings.We are left with a book that tells the story of an honest, decent, proud man, lucky enough to play football at the top level. Should be mandatory reading for every young professional footballer to show them the meaning of pride in the jersey, however fleeting their time in a jersey might be.5 stars

Having conversed with @DavyLangan via twitter i bought this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.His honesty through good times and a lot of bad ones was refreshing.We all idolize footballers and their current lifestyle,Davy was one of the less fortunate clutch of footballerspre premier league riches time,who ended up homeless.Dave loves the game,that shines through the pages,if only the same could be said of mostmodern day cash rich professionalsA real football fans must read.Dave deserves his royalties for this great book 5stars..."Russ Hogg"

Great book from a real legend of football, a term that describes most of today's prima donnas, wish true legends like these are rewarded properly, FAI you should be ashamed of yourselves, Keane Sussed you out, and although he working for you now, he knows what you are like!

Always looking for a good book to take on holiday, and found it with this. A great book for the football fan, especially one who can remember the 70's & 80's. Lots of friends and old playing colleagues have all added to this book and it paints a picture of what football was like back then, almost unrecognisable from todays pampered professionals. if you're a Derby, Birmingham, Oxford or Peterborough fan, you"ll love this book, and like me, wont be able to put it down until its finished.

The read was very interesting I would recomend as a biography but the poor quality of the manufacture meant I could not read this again as all pages became loose on first read!