Brian Flynn: Little Wonder

Decided to buy this book and read it through as I was looking for a read on footballing figures from my area, Brian Flynn was someone who I always admired from what I knew of him but this book helped put into context for me just how important he is to this area, this country and the game of Football. Leon Barton did well to highlight many of the things which made Flynn a “little wonder”.

An enjoyable & worthwhile read. This book concentrates quite a lot on Brian's role within Welsh national football + his career - especially with Wrexham & Burnley. For a classic autobiography it's a little short on examining the inner workings/drivers of the subject's life but there's a lot of interesting footy-related info & anecdotes.

Really enjoyed the first half of the book. The last 3 chapters I skipped through as it was concentrating on the wales games, scores and more focused on the players he recruited than the man himself.Good book and read but wanted to read about Brian more and his personal story.

Having followed Wrexham since 1969, I was there when Brian came in as a player and subsequent Manager. Having met Brian on a number of occasions during this clubs most successful period , I recall he once told me " We never lost money under my reign". So to read this excellent account of his times through his career was intriguing, emotional and reminded me of just what a talented individual he is...very apt title " Little Wonder"

Well written and well researched encompassing the changing world of both British society and football

Great read from a great man

Yes Brian flynns book was wonderful

This was a book which was for me really two books in one( one of which worked and one less so). As somebody brought up as a Welsh and Leeds fan in the 1970's Flynn was one of my heroes and I read hugely on anything about 1960's and 70's football. The authors section on Flynn and his Welsh career was well written and gave good feel for Welsh international football in the Seventies and the period surrounding the European Championship campaign of 1976. The most interesting and really well focussed section was that of Flynn and Toshack's emphasis on youth and Brian's key and often ignored vital role in this process. Where the book was less successful was as a biography with little insight into Brian's experiences as a professional with Burnley and Leeds. There was an interesting section on Jimmy Adamson but what about the legacy of the controversial figures of Bob Lord and Harry Potts - little of these colourful characters. How did the hardmen of midfield in the 60's and 70's treat Brian and what about the mavericks he played with and against? The biggest criticism of the book was the superficial section on Brian's time at Leeds. Was the author just not interested in this time or deliberately ignoring it. Although many Welsh football fans may be in some denial Leeds has huge support amongst Welsh fans of a certain age to whom Brian was a real hero. What was it like to play with Revie greats like Grey, Lorimer and Madeley. How did the club and the city cope with the decline from its glory period. What was his relationship with the other Welsh players at Leeds such as Stevenson, Harris, Thomas and Curtis? After all Brian was Voted 58th all time Leeds player in the clubs 2004 poll. The three star rating would have been higher if this was sold as what it real was an examination of Brian's relationship with Wales . It is not really a biography which is a shame as I am sure that he has more fascinating stories and insights stories to tell about his playing career than than this book offered.