However, as his autobiography ‘It’s Only Banter’ proves there
is certainly more to Leroy than meets the eye.
After growing up in South London as son of parents who had
emigrated to Britain from Sierra Leone in the 1950’s, Leroy went on to carve
out a varied career in football as a player, coach, manager and pundit.
The book also acts a social commentary which views the way
that both football and society view racism and therefore it differs from the
average footballer’s autobiography and makes it a more engaging read as a result.
It charts the lives of Leroy’s father, Willie, who survived an racially motivated attack by a group of teddy boys in a South London; Leroy himself who was subjected to Nazi salutes from opposing fans and was even racially abused by one of his on-field opponents in the 1980’s – which left him questioning his future in the game - and his son Liam, a current professional player with Brighton and Hove Albion looking to embark on a career in management himself.
Ghostwriter Leo Moynihan’s writing style and turn of phrase
excellently captures Leroy’s voice and the intelligence and eloquent manner that has
seen him successfully make the transition to becoming a pundit. It charts the lives of Leroy’s father, Willie, who survived an racially motivated attack by a group of teddy boys in a South London; Leroy himself who was subjected to Nazi salutes from opposing fans and was even racially abused by one of his on-field opponents in the 1980’s – which left him questioning his future in the game - and his son Liam, a current professional player with Brighton and Hove Albion looking to embark on a career in management himself.
Leroy also lifts the lid on the tale behind his now
infamously brief return to Torquay in 2007.
The idea that he is best remembered for this and not his
first spell, which saw him become the first manager to lead the Gulls to
automatic promotion since Frank O’Farrell, who – like Leroy – was also an ex-West
Ham player, is also a tad frustrating. He achieved this by using a brand of passing football not to dissimilar to the present day Swansea City and Bournemouth sides and it did seem at one stage that he might
follow a similar career trajectory as O’Farrell who, of course, went on to
manage Manchester United amongst others.
Nevertheless, his account of his two-match spell in charge
of the Sierra Leone national team also makes you question whether the England
manager’s job really is an impossible job!
However, there is the occasional factual inaccuracy – in
Leroy’s first season in charge at Torquay they beat Exeter 2-1 and 1-0, not 3-1
as stated in the book (But don’t worry Leroy, it was the first time the Gulls
had completed the double over the Grecians since the 1987-88 season so we
forgive you!)
Although the game has made considerable progress since
Leroy’s playing days, the book illustrates that there is still a way to go
on the managerial front.
When Leroy was first appointed as Torquay manager in 2002,
he was one of three BAME manager in the Football League – along with the late
Keith Alexander and Carlton Palmer - and there is one fewer managing in the league
at the time of writing following Marcus Bignot’s recent sacking as Grimsby Town
manager.
Although the final paragraph shows Leroy’s own delight that he
persevered in the face of the abuse that he received, the book also leaves the
reader wondering if there is possibly more that he could offer the game –
possibly as a coach of one of the England Youth sides perhaps, a role which
could enable him to become a role model and mentor for future BAME coaches.
Especially if he could recreate the style of play from his
first spell with the Gulls. 