Swanny (Confessions of a Lower-League Legend)

With a reputation as a hard player who lived a hard life, Swan's football days were littered with bizarre twists and turns. Before the Autoglass Trophy final at Wembley in 1993, he partied until dawn, staggered out onto the pitch, and was named Man of the Match. Nine days later, he followed the rules and went to bed early in preparation for the Division Two play-off final—and ended up getting sent off as his side was defeated by West Bromwich Albion. While at Plymouth, Swan suffered a terrible time—shunned by fellow players, despised by supporters, and living alone in a haunted house. And during his time at Port Vale, he met a young local lad by the name of Robbie Williams. The two soon became firm friends and incorrigible drink partners—with often hilarious results. But no matter how he partied off the field, he still set himself the highest of standards in his professional life. Falling foul of several managers along the way, he was often in trouble with referees, too, picking up 10 red cards and countless bookings. But on the other side of the coin is a caring man who always took time out at his various clubs to visit children in hospital. After retiring in 2000, Swan initially struggled to come to terms with his life outside football, but he has since become a cult figure in Hull, where he now commentates on Hull City's matches. A larger than life character with no regrets, Peter Swan tells the remarkable story of the highs and lows of his 16-year career—from Wembley joy to the chronic knee condition that forced him out of the game and could see him confined to a wheelchair.