Mr Cardiff City: The Autobiography of Phil 'Joe' Dwyer - Tapa dura

No one has given more to Cardiff City than Phil Dwyer. Born in Grangetown, in the heart of Cardiff, he went on to represent the club more times than anyone in its history. Noted for his never-say-die attitude it is little wonder that the Cardiff fans recently voted him their most popular player of all time. In this fascinating book Dwyer traces his career with the Bluebirds form schoolboy hopeful to club captain and stalwart. It is packed with detail on promotion pushes, relegation battles and European competition. There are also dozens of anecdotes and insights into Cardiff City legends like Jimmy Scoular, Jimmy Andrews, Richie Morgan, Len Ashurst, Don Murray, John Buchanan, Tony Evans and of course the enigmatic Robin Friday. Dwyer is a proud Welshman and nothing gave him more pleasure than the ten caps he won for Wales. Many of them were memorable, not least scoring the winner on his debut against Iran, in Tehran. There was also a brilliant headed goal against England, which to his delight he notched at Ninian Park. Dwyer treasures his relationship with the Cardiff fans, who he describes as the best in the world. They backed him from the start, appreciating that he gave his all every time he pulled on that famous blue jersey. It meant so much to him when the fans turned out in their droves for his testimonial match. The high regard in which he was held by everyone in Cardiff made it very difficult for him to come to terms with leaving the club after more than a decade and a half of devoted service. After he retired form the game Dwyer joined South Wales police, which was a sharp contrast to his life as a professional footballer. Sadly, his career in the force was cut short due to a conviction for drunk driving, an out-of-character episode that left him mortified. Without sparing himself he tells the full story of that unfortunate incident. This is a book that will delight everyone with an interest in Cardiff City and more broadly in Welsh football.