“A brilliant new biography — and a revelation. The Unseen Sir Alf is our TalkSPORT Book of the Week and one of the best sports books I’ve read this year. A must-read.”
PAUL ROSS: TALKsport
Pitch Publishing
THE UNSEEN
SIR ALF
A Different Kind of Hero
by Grant Bage
Ever since 1966, when Alf Ramsey guided England to its one and only World Cup
triumph, the question has lingered: who was he, and how did he do it? In this
compelling new biography, Grant Bage weaves scholarship, personal insight
and liberal patriotism into a portrait of Ramsey that speaks directly to the spirit
of modern England.
Conventional history has got Ramsey wrong
Research began when Grant Bage stumbled across a secret chapter in Alf’s life, when he saved a young player’s career following a guilty plea for homosexual behaviour. Other stories of diversity soon emerged including a racist childhood nickname, rumours Ramsey’s family were ‘Gypsies’, and adolescent Alf having to play ‘illegal’ Sunday football in leagues banned by the FA. Conventional history has got Ramsey wrong: despite appearing conformist, he was radically different.
His story has been largely forgotten – until now.
Almost 27 when he turned professional, Alf obsessed about learning football. As a Spurs player, then manager of Ipswich and England, he won trophies through relentless practice and an extraordinary memory. He was probably neurodiverse. Unacknowledged in previous biographies, Alf learned to coach at an eccentric London East End charity. He loved his players, despised most journalists, was kind to fans and disliked the FA’s amateur governors. This odd, complex man became a national hero, but his story has been largely forgotten – until now.
The Unseen Sir Alf is a radical retelling of Alf Ramsey’s life story, and his 1966 winning of England’s first football World Cup.
Groundbreaking historical research:
Shows how Alf’s childhood nickname was a common racist insult that dogged him all his life
Unearths new evidence to explain how Bobby Moore could gibe that Alf’s family were ‘Gypsies’
Explores the three years of paid part-time coaching, previously ignored in biographies, that prepared him for management
Tells the inside story of how Alf never applied for the England job, was unsentimentally professional once appointed, and was bullied out by the amateurs who governed the FA
Utilises an FA treasure trove of fans’ letters to Ramsey, most of them unread since being sent in 1966
Refutes many myths around Ramsey, for example that he took elocution lessons and was xenophobic
Uses Alf’s story to take readers on a fascinating journey through 20th-century English football
Illuminates lessons for modern England from Alf’s diversity and patriotism
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