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  • The Romford Pelé

  • It's Only Ray Parlour's Autobiography
  • By: Ray Parlour
  • Narrated by: Paul Thornley
  • Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (602 ratings)
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The Romford Pelé cover art

The Romford Pelé

By: Ray Parlour
Narrated by: Paul Thornley
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Summary

Ooh, ah, Ray Parlour! Nicknamed the Romford Pele for his solid but unglamorous image, Ray Parlour is one of the most well-loved Arsenal players of the last few decades. A loyal club servant for over 14 years (1992-2007), he is revered among the Arsenal faithful for his down-to-earth Essex charm, his mischievous sense of humour and his hardworking performances on the pitch.

Often in the shadows of his flashier teammates, he didn't have the flair of a Pires or an Henry, but he worked tirelessly to become an integral part of many of George Graham's and Arsene Wenger's greatest sides, including the Invincibles of 2004.

In this wonderfully funny and candid autobiography, full of side-splitting stories, Parlour looks back fondly on his life and career. From the all-day drinking sessions and banter of the Tony Adams years to the antics he got up to with his more cultured continental teammates, teaching Thierry Henry cockney rhyming slang and Dennis Bergkamp how to play golf, this is a portrait of a man who was as loved as much for his personality as for his often underrated talent.

From his days as a schoolboy working on market stalls to playing alongside the world's finest players in the Champions League, it is also the rags-to-riches story of a career that spanned enormous change in British football, the likes of which may not be seen again.

©2016 Random House Audiobooks (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about The Romford Pelé

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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fantastic

loved it, brilliant, a great read. what a player and what a career, A great insight into The Arsenal

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What a loveable rouge ray really is.

Great listen, as life long Gunner I could relate to many of the games he was speaking of.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great stories and what a life he led. but

loved a lot of it but ike so many audiobooks it is a shame it is not narrated by the author. it adds authenticity to it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Had me laughing! Great stories! From an era when I used to follow football and Arsenal

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Top listen!

This was a hilarious one! Behind the scenes antics summed up. Arsenal fans will love this!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Brilliant to hear the stories and Ray Parlour has been very open but it would have been better if it was narrated by him too.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointed Football Fan

Dull as dishwater,. No t a football book nor a good life story. Wasted my time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • aj
  • 29-08-22

Great fun

one of my all time favourite players for what he achieved staying in that team when he was supposed to be an average player. Great funny stories and a great insight

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

standard football autobiography

It's OK to be honest, but just that OK. I've listened and read better but if you like me enjoy this narrative then it's worth a shot.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant

laughed from the beginning to the end. Ray Parlour is one of the funniest people in football and must of been a barrel of laughs every day. well narrated. A must read for any football fan

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