Hard Tackles and Dirty Baths: The Inside Story of Football's Golden Era, by George Best (2005)
THIS book, which offers an insight into the late Manchester United legend's view of one of football's golden eras, was published barely a month before his tragic death in November 2005.
Informed by Best's own experiences and those of his fellow professionals, the book is a complete history of the 1960s and 1970s - from the abolition of the maximum wage, and the humble beginnings of the likes of George as bootroom apprentices to the star-studded era of sideburns, collar-length hair and universal adulation.
The book follows the drama and intrigue of each successive season (1963 to 1973) in league, cup and abroad, pondering the key themes from each year to offer an intimate pitch-level view of football's greatest generation.
It is a fitting sign-off from a much-missed football hero, whose other books, Blessed and Scoring at Half-time are also recommended.