BOOK REVIEWS
Autobiography
From Foster Care to Footballer: My Story
Mark Bright
We Rate:
BOOK SYNOPSIS
From his League debut for Port Vale to a spell at Leicester City, before coming into his own at Crystal Palace and making his mark at Sheffield Wednesday, Mark Bright played top level football throughout his 18-year career. During that time, Mark experienced two promotions, two relegations, two FA Cup Finals, one League Cup final and won a Golden Boot in the 1987-88 season. His 1990s partnership with Ian Wright earned them legendary status at Crystal Palace.
But this book is not just about Bright's time in the game it's the story of a man, Mark's father who arrived in England from The Gambia, married a girl from Stoke-on-Trent and then very quickly abandoned his family. It is the story of a mother who was unable to take responsibility for her children, and this is the story of how a young Mark and his brother Philip, finally found comfort and security with a loving white foster family while having to endure racism throughout their childhood.
Exploring Mark's life on and off the pitch, My Story delves into the highs and lows he experienced both as a player and as a person. He writes candidly about his experience as a black footballer, offers fascinating insight into the ways football has changed with the introduction of the Premier League and brings to life the colourful characters he has met along the way.
Frank and moving, My Story tells how one man defied all the odds to achieve his dream.
OUR REVIEW
Another book that I have been able to capture within my psyche, Mark Bright's autobiography is one that details a very solid career within the game and how he overcame a tough childhood in foster care where he had to face significant racism that is hard to understand as a child, when living with a white family, who very much cared for him, but were not from his culture.
As someone who is involved in the Foster Care industry, this book is so relatable and very interesting to read the first hand account of how life can be hard for children in care, not even taking into account being away from your cultural identity.
That said, to see how Bright turned his career in football to significant success, is a triumph and particularly his heady days with Crystal Palace where he formed an iconic partnership with Ian Wright, one of the great forward partnerships we have seen in English football. It wasn't always a success though, there were tough times, injuries and loss of form to name a few.
His own family life is also well discussed in the book, his relationship with the former Actress and Singer, Michelle Gayle and how his family background led to dysfunctional relationships. As is his secondary career to date and making his way in the game as a media personality, gives the air of a successful life despite the challenges that he has faced.
A very decent read this and one that is relatable to many and well worth taking the time to enjoy!
