Book Review: From West Auckland to Wembley, Football Legends Immortalised

Published on: 4 Aug, 2023
Updated on: 4 Aug, 2023

By David Rose

Michael Douglas is probably better known for the many years he’s been on the music scene in and around Guildford, while some might know he also has a passion for football!

Michael Douglas with his new book From West Auckland to Wembley, Football Legends Immortalised.

Back in 2016 Mick or “Dougo” as he’s also known as, published his autobiography – Division III South The Story of a Failed Rock Star. Note the football reference in the title, but suffice to say, it’s a fascinating book all about the many bands he has been in.

His new book is all about football and a rather interesting project he’s embarked on. Its title is From West Auckland to Wembley, Football Legends Immortalised, and is co-produced with his good friend David Holt who has produced the layout and design.

Mick has travelled the length and breadth of England visiting football stadiums and other locations photographing statutes of footballers, and managers too.

Along with the colour photos, he has included a biography of each one.

They are featured in alphabetical order of the clubs who have honoured them.

There are, of course, the most famous – such as Bobby Moore (outside Wembley Stadium), Sir Stanley Matthews (Stoke City’s Bet365 stadium), Thierry Henry (Arsenal’s Emirates stadium), and so on. I’d like to point out I named Thierry Henry here as I’m an Arsenal fan, while Mick is wedded to Chelsea!

Managers include Sir Alf Ramsey (Portman Road Stadium, Ipswich Town), Sir Bobby Robson (St James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne), and Bill Shankly, Anfield, Liverpool)

And the book reveals some of the greats have more than one statue. At Pride Park, Derby County’s stadium, there is a statue honouring manager Brian Clough with his associate and assistant manager Peter Taylor, and anorther of Brian in the Old Market Square, Nottingham.

The statue of Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

Some statutes feature more than one legend, such as Liverpool manager Bob Paisley and player Emlyn Hughes at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium; and there is Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

Mick has also featured sculptor Andy Edwards who has created over a dozen figures featured in the book.