Beyond the Boot Camps

The follow-up to cult classic Tales from the Boot Camps

After more than a thousand appearances with twenty-two clubs, Steve Claridge finally hung up his boots at the age of 41. By retirement, he'd experienced a vivid and varied footballing life, both on and off the field.

Claridge's story picks up where Tales from the Boot Camps left off, in the summer of 2000 at Portsmouth FC where he started, and hoped to end, his career. But best laid plans often go awry-there were plenty more highs, lows and controversies to come: disastrous player-manager roles; public break-ups with club authorities; the briefest of managerial spells; reality TV fame; and a prestigious media career.

Beyond the Boot Camps is a fascinating and frank insight into the game, and the life of one of its most colourful characters.