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Once Upon a Toon

18 Years Inside Newcastle United

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Once Upon a Toon

By: Paul Ferris, Alan Shearer - introduction
Narrated by: Ruairi Conaghan
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Bloomsbury presents Once Upon a Toon: 18 Years Inside Newcastle United by Paul Ferris read by Ruairi Conaghan, with the foreword read by Alan Shearer

‘A must-read for any Newcastle fan.'
ALAN SHEARER

‘A brilliant read.'
SHAY GIVEN

‘A triumph... Beautifully written'
LES FERDINAND

Fascinating chronicles of an utterly unique life in football and 18 years at Newcastle United, with a foreword by Alan Shearer.

Once Upon a Toon offers a unique perspective on life behind the scenes at one of England’s most famous football clubs. No other individual has had the immense privilege of working at Newcastle United in the capacity that Paul Ferris once did: as a player between 1981 and 1986, as a physiotherapist between 1993 and 2006, and finally as a key member of Alan Shearer’s management team in 2009.

This is a light-hearted, often hilarious and sometimes unbelievable retelling of the events Paul experienced and characters he encountered. His numerous, otherwise forgotten, tales from the bygone era of 1980s football include the likes of Kevin Keegan, Jack Charlton, Arthur Cox, Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, George Best and more. Ferris’s chronicles from 18 years at Newcastle United also feature managers such as Graeme Souness and Sir Bobby Robson, the tumultuous 1993–2006 period and Alan Shearer’s ill-fated short tenure.

If you are a Newcastle United supporter, football fan or loved The Boy on the Shed, this book is the ultimate way to revisit the club’s precious glory days of football.(P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Football (Soccer) Sports Funny Heartfelt Witty
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Critic reviews

A must-read for any Newcastle fan. Paul brilliantly brings to life his time at the club. (Alan Shearer)
Very entertaining… A lot fun.
A brilliant read. Full of fascinating stories that take you behind the scenes at Newcastle United. (Shay Given)
A triumph... Beautifully written and a wonderful tribute to the club and the North East. (Les Ferdinand)
Hilariously funny and a must for every member of the Toon army
A crowd-pleasing collection of anecdotes from inside United, but also a footballer's book with rare heart
A brilliant must-read… Once Upon a Toon as the ability to make you laugh and cry – a black and white roller-coaster that fans will enjoy.
Unforgettable… laugh-out-loud funny. In Once Upon a Toon, Ferris has written more than a football memoir. It’s a love letter to the game, yes—but also to the people who make it what it is.
It’s just a great read, and if you love Newcastle United, you’ll love this.
Eye-opening
Laugh-out-loud funny ... and gut-punch poignant
All stars
Most relevant
Listening to this fantastic story Paul as always has had me laughing then crying at his many stories.
I love all of the stories about Big Al I see Alan Shearer in a different light now and what a bloke he is a genuine friend to many.
The way Paul writes is from the heart with pride and feeling.
This book is the third he has written and Paul has left me hoping there is a fourth.
I have been lucky enough to have met Paul himself and my daughter described him as “ My mam’s famous footballer friend much more famous than Alan Shearer” and I know people will disagree but in my heart he is.
Thank you Paul for an amazing story and like you I am super proud to be a Geordie you have touched me again with your wonderful words.

From the heart

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A brilliantly written series of short stories that covered every emotion possible. A great insight into Newcastle United and football in general and also the personal relationships created over a career in football. Brilliant from start to finish.

Incredible

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Paul may have been a star footballer for a short period, his hard graft to get through good and not so good times is truly inspirational and his deification to Newcastle and Newcastle United is nothing short of amazing. Thank you Paul.

True Geordie Legend

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A witty and uplifting book. No surprise, from my favourite author and Toon player/physio

An awesome hat trick

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