Paddy Kenny on a naked Neil Warnock and more…
“It’s just a thing I’d fall asleep and end up looking at,” says Paddy Kenny when we ask him about the long-term effects of having to endure a naked Neil Warnock yell at him in the dressing-room.
Granted, not an image many want when they open an article. But it’s just one of many warts-and-all descriptions of life as a professional footballer Paddy treated us to in our interview about his brand new book.
‘The Gloves Are Off’ (Vertical Editions Books) came out on Monday October 5 and in the build-up to its release, The Football Book Club podcast were given the opportunity to put some questions to Paddy.
Leeds fans – unfairly – used to suggest Paddy Kenny knew how to fill out a goalkeeper’s jersey. However, he does know how to fill out a book, with TGAO full of very sweary and very funny memories from a career which took him from Bury to the Irish national team.
On the subject of swearing, while some footballers might tone down their language in their books, Paddy not so much. Kevin Blackwell, Colin Kazim-Richards, a builder who doesn’t fix his drains properly – no one is safe from being called a ‘nobhead’. At one point he even describes his son’s goalkeeping technique as ‘wank’.
Paddy also found time on the podcast to describe Neil Redfearn as a ‘whopper’.
As you might have guessed, he’s a pretty honest guy. Strikingly and commendably so when talking about his often difficult personal life and mental health in the book.
To celebrate the release of Paddy Kenny’s brilliant ‘The Gloves Are Off’ we have a copy of the book up for grabs! Simply retweet to be in with a chance of winning.
And remember to listen to our interview with Paddy here https://t.co/dcdH0GWtWH#sufc #qpr pic.twitter.com/iJYSY2peGz
— The Football Book Club (@FootieBookClub) October 5, 2020
Because, whilst Paddy is probably best remembered for spells at Sheffield United and QPR, his life off the pitch is just as eventful. We’ve read a lot of footballer’s autobiographies before but, I can safely say, this is the first one where the author’s had their eyebrow bitten off in a curry house.
In our hour-long interview, Paddy talked us through his book, his career, a porn-obsessed reserve keeper at Sheffield United (hey, we all need a hobby) and the current state of the game.
On Adel Taarabt? “He were unbelievable. The best player I ever played with.”
Getting to two cup semis with Sheffield United? “Like a dream.”
Massimo Cellino? “Why would you buy Leeds United just to penny-pinch?” – reflecting on a clearly disappointing spell for the born-and-bred Halifax lad.
On the subject of Leeds, we asked him if he’d like to experience a Bielsa training session? “Not a prayer.” Fair enough.
… And given the current climate, would he enjoy playing without fans? “It’d probably be the first game I wouldn’t have been called a fat bastard, wouldn’t it?”
The book is packed with memorable Paddy-isms and genuine drama. We didn’t even have time to ask about the Tevez-Sheffield United saga or his thoughts on Lee Johnson (clue, they’re not positive). And the real reason for him leaving Sheffield United is strictly for those who buy the book.
But what about his thoughts on the man he worked with for so much of his playing career, Neil Warnock (clothed or otherwise). “If it wasn’t for him I might not have had a career,” he told us.
Which, given how many great stories he has, would not only have been a loss for the football world, it would have been a big one for the literary world too. A highly recommended read.
THE FOOTBALL BOOK CLUB AWARD PADDY KENNY FIVE CHEWED OFF EYEBROWS OUT OF FIVE.
… Also, in case you’re wondering, we asked Paddy if it’s normal for managers to get undressed with the rest of the team.
“No. And that’s a good thing, we don’t want them all doing it.”
Amen, Paddy. Amen.
The Football Book Club Series 2 is now available on all podcast platforms. We release a new episode every Monday with books for this series including Jerzy Dudek’s ‘A Big Pole In Our Goal’ and Grant Holt’s ‘A Real Football Life’. We can also be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Paddy’s book ‘The Gloves Are Off’ is available everywhere now through Vertical Editions Books.
James Bugg
James Bugg is a writer for TV and radio shows including Horrible Histories, Dead Ringers and The News Quiz. He is also the host of The Football Book Club podcast.