David Farrell was a hard man on the park. By his own admission he was far from the most gifted of footballers, but no one who saw him snarl, slide and smash his way around the park would question his commitment to the cause of the many clubs he played for during his career. Not least for fear of how the 46-year-old Glaswegian might react to that particular line of interrogation.
But now Farrell’s secret is out. The hard man act was just that, a role he played to cover up his own technical deficiencies and allow him to earn his place at the same table as more talented teammates and opponents. In reality ‘Faz’ is no fighter – “mild-mannered, quiet and as close to a pacifist as you get in Dennistoun” is how he describes himself in Taxi For Farrell: Football Between The Lines, his critically acclaimed new autobiography charting the life of a journeyman pro. The book and his popular blog have outed their author as intelligent, thoughtful and witty. He has even been spotted wearing reading glasses at recent promotional events.
We have three copies of the new book to give away in time for Xmas. Read on to get more details!
Farrell started his career at the top level of English football and found himself in Scotland's bottom division 18 years later. During that time he faced a never-ending battle to prove he was good enough to make it in the game, sacrificing his body and lying to medical staff in order to preserve his career throughout.
He crossed paths with big names such as Mark Lawrenson, Steve Archibald, Paul Ince and others but for the most part he was in the company of other honest pros, none of whom would make a fortune from the game or experience any of the glamour that the elite enjoy. Instead they slogged their guts out to provide for their families while playing a game they loved. After hanging up his boots, a coaching career followed that not only didn't lead to the hoped-for top managerial job but resulted in him becoming familiar with the dole office and forcing his family to make sacrifices for his own selfish desire to remain in the game at all costs.
Taxi For Farrell goes where the Sky cameras don't dare roll - where clubs lurch from one catastrophe to another, where teenage neds who steal a side's training ball are relentlessly pursued by its star player through the streets of Glasgow's least fashionable postcodes, and where speculators and spivs prey on the dreams of everyday fans and players.
We chatted to its writer about the book and about his spells at Oxford United, Hibernian, Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians, Clydebank, Stranraer, Albion Rovers, Gretna, Dundee, Notts County, Clyde and Celtic Nation.
The back cover to Taxi For Farrell states that “this is the story of real football, told by someone who experienced its highs and lows from the inside” yet it would appear there were more lows than highs, is that a fair reflection on your career?
There may be more lows in the book, but that's only because no one ever tells you about how difficult a career football can sometimes be. That was just a bigger part of the story I wanted to tell. I enjoyed my career immensely. It was all I ever wanted to do, so I wouldn't allow a few low points to dampen that.
What was the lowest point?
When playing, the lowest point was being injured long-term during liquidation at Airdrie. As a coach it comes after you have been sacked. At Dundee in particular it was difficult having to go through a 9 months fight to have a contract paid up.
And the highest point?
Playing in the League Cup Final with Hibs. Although we lost it was still incredible for me to be there as a player.
Who is the best player you played against? And the best you played alongside?
Paul McStay and Brian Laudrup were the two best I played against. Different types of player, but both equally evasive and destructive. The best I played with was Steve Archibald, a phenomonal striker.
And most difficult opponent?
Stuart McCall. A tireless workhorse and as tough as teak. He was a real warrior and it was a pleasure to come up against people like that.
Who was the best manager you’ve played under?
Alex MacDonald. A gentleman, a winner, a passionate football man and a motivator.
You are a lifelong Celtic supporter but have played against them many times. Players known to be Old Firm fans are often accused of not turning it on against their team, is that a complete myth?
Yes. I always wanted to prove I was good enough to be picked up by them, even if I never actually believed it myself. I'd do my best and clatter into any Celtic player as fiercely as I would have any Rangers player.
But did you try extra hard against Rangers? I’m thinking of a certain tackle on Mark Hateley in that League Cup final here…
No. I tried as hard against Stenhousemuir as I did against Rangers or anyone else. The Hateley tackle was just one of those. It could have been anyone and on many occasions it was. It just so happened that one was live on TV
In the book, your blog and interviews you’ve talked a lot about footballers not being the ignorant Neanderthals they are often made out to be, where does the stereotype of the stupid footballer come from?
I think it comes from certain players over the last 30 years having lived up to that reputation and it being highlighted. It makes a better story than the countless intelligent players who sit back, say nothing and just get on with their football.
Another stereotype that you’ve tried to challenge is that of Celtic and Rangers fans being hate-filled bigots and it’s fair to say that your best mate Alex Rae is of a different persuasion to yourself, do you think the media portrayal of sectarianism in Scottish football is unfair?
No, it's not unfair because it exists, but now that it has a label 'sectarianism', there are instances that are highlighted which years ago would have meant nothing. I grew up with it. Language that is now offensive was just part of growing up. It doesn't make it more acceptable because the world changes, but I’ve never been offended by being called a fenian, mickey, taig, tim bastard. I'd be more offended if someone had thought I’d dived for a penalty or feigned injury in a tackle!
What inspired you to start blogging and to write a book?
Partly to dispel those stereotypes I talked about and partly because I got fed up reading columns by ex-players which either did no more than pay lip service to the game’s issues or were nothing more than self-publicity vehicles. I thought, I can do better than that.
Throughout your career, you seemed to find yourself at clubs enduring financial difficulties, is that part of the package for players at a certain level?
I'd say it's part of the package, but I’d also say that I was unluckier than most having been part of a catalogue of clubs courting financial disaster.
You had offers from Scottish sides before signing as an apprentice with Oxford United, why did you decide to try your luck in England?
I just felt I had to take the opportunity as I never get the chance to go to England and play football again, which proved to be the case.
Your time at Firhill ended under something of a cloud after a fall out with manager John McVeigh. If you had our time again would you have bit your lip or would you still stand up to the manager in that situation?
I would have absolutely NOT have done anything differently. I was principled and I felt I had to stand up for that.
What impact did Airdrie going into administration and liquidation have on you personally?
It was horrible and being injured at the time, it meant that I felt I wasn't justifying my wages. Mentally it was tough, but the financial side of things made it very difficult for a while too as I ended up being owed a lot of money and having to go part time
When you started out at a club in the top level of English football did you ever think you would find yourself as a trialist for a homeless Clydebank and changing out the boot of the manager’s car before training on a public park?
Everyone wants to play at the highest level possible but I never took my football career for granted so it was just another part of being a footballer for me.
How does being a part-time players differ from being full-time? How did you feel about going part time with Stranraer?
It was difficult to adjust as it also meant having to juggle a full-time job. But the important thing was that it allowed me to keep playing albeit at a lower level
Do you regret putting your body through another season at Albion Rovers when playing was clearly having such an impact on your body by then?
No. I had been playing with pain for a few years so it never felt any different as the season started. It was only after pre-season, I got the feeling my legs were 'going'. I just wanted to keep playing
Injuries are a constant theme throughout your career, had your body held up to the game more what do you think you might have achieved?
I think I would have been able to perform more consistently to a better standard which would have allowed me to stay in the Premier League for my whole career.
You started your coaching journey at Gretna. Is what happened there everything that’s wrong with modern football?
It's what's wrong with businessmen taking over unsustainable football clubs and not realising how much it costs to run a football club. Bonkers
From there it was to another club with financial problems at Dundee. Did you think that it was onwards up the ladder from there?
Yes, of course. Every opportunity you get in coaching you hope it will be 'the one' where you do a great job and get the big move to coaching at a higher level. That's always the plan.
How did your experiences after Dundee (several sackings, unemployment, falling out the game etc) not put you off football for life?
Because it's in my blood. I love the game and you always think the next opportunity is the one that allows you to fulfill your ambitions. It's why people like Alex Ferguson and Walter Smith coach and manage into their 60's.
How did your family feel when you told them you were taking a job at Notts County and would be living away from home?
I'd imagine they were disappointed in one sense as they wouldn't see as much of me, but pleased in another as it meant another chance to make my way in the game. Forget the supposed glamour, footballer’s families often need to make sacrifices and mine supported me throughout everything and through some very difficult times.
After another sacking, unemployment, and finding a job outside football that you enjoyed, why did you get back in the saddle at Celtic Nation?
It was two-fold. The chance to work with someone of Willie McStay’s stature in football and the age old addiction. I was back in the game, coaching again.
What about the pressure of coaching and management?
It can make things very difficult. No matter what level you are coaching or managing at, you have to succeed. When it's your livelihood, it makes things just that little bit more acute. Waking up every morning, not having slept too well, wondering when you are going to be sacked, isn't pleasant.
When talking about your playing days you are brutally honest when discussing your limitations and the self-doubt you wrestled with throughout your career, yet you appear to have had a rawer deal in coaching. Are the extenuating circumstances at clubs something fans fail to take into consideration when assessing their management team?
I think so, but that's the nature of the game. The bottom line is that you have to get results and whilst fans will rarely take anything other than the points total into consideration, I hope my book will let them see that sometimes there are difficult circumstances which can affect that.
With better breaks do you think you might still be in football and working at a high level?
Yes, I do. I think I have a deep knowledge of the game that could be used to good effect at any level, but I didn't get the breaks and ultimately didn't get there.
Money is another thing you are frank about in the book, do you think it will surprise people how little some footballers earn?
Yes, I think it will. It was another one of the myths I wanted to blow away when I wrote the book, that everyone playing the game has earned fortunes.
What would surprise people that remember you as a player about you?
That I’m completely different to the perceived image of the aggressive hard man. It was an image and a way of playing that allowed me to be a footballer and do a certain job. I could play a bit too, but I’ll be remembered for being that type and people were always surprised at how different I was when they met me.
How has Scottish football changed since you started out in the game all those years ago?
Football in general has changed as it has almost become a non-contact sport. Scottish football was built on aggression, will to win and spirit, allied to good technical ability and now a lot of it seems to have been lost in the clamour for more technical players. It's not working, we need to recognise what we're good at and marry them both together. Financially the game is in a poorer position and this has resulted in poorer standards of play and if the games aren't very good, how can we expect fans to pay ridiculous ticket prices to watch?
If you could have your time again, would you do anything differently?
No.
COMPETITION TIME !
We have three copies of David's book to give away in time for Xmas. To enter our competition simply email your name and address details over to "[email protected]" by 13th December. Three submissions will be selected at random by the P&B Super Computer and our minions will then whizz over a copy in time to fill your Xmas stocking.
‘Taxi For Farrell’ is published by Teckle Books and is available as an eBook and paperback, which can be bought in stores or online from www.tecklebooks.co.uk.