How John Giles lived the dream

A visit to the Aviva Stadium the night before last, for the launch of John Giles’ autobiography, in the company of a jovial cast of hundreds including Nobby Stiles, Liam Brady, Eamon Dunphy, Ray Treacy, Mick Martin, Packie Bonner and many more familiar faces from the world of football.

And a thoroughly enjoyable occasion it was too, with the formalities soon giving way to something akin to ‘The X Factor For Men Of A Certain Age’, as Eamon Dunphy kicked the sing-song off with ‘Send In The Clowns’ before the man of the hour eventually brought proceedings to a close with his own take on ‘Memories’.

As a friend remarked, you’d have to assume that the launch party for Ashley Cole’s autobiography was a bit different. But then, as football biographies go, John Giles’ book is a bit different too.