What readers are saying
Selected excerpts from five-star Amazon customer reviews.
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“I laughed, I cried and I loved it.”
— Patrick Banham · 16 September 2026
“I laughed, I cried and I loved it.”
— Patrick Banham · 16 September 2026
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“written from the heart”
— Kieran Farmer · 4 September 2026
“written from the heart”
— Kieran Farmer · 4 September 2026
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“this unique book could not be put down once opened.”
— John · 12 September 2026
“this unique book could not be put down once opened.”
— John · 12 September 2026
11 of Diamonds: My Nene Park Story
A personal account of my time at Rushden & Diamonds: the teammates, managers and moments that shaped my life in football.
The relationships and experiences behind the results, told from a player’s perspective.
Please allow up to 20 working days for signed or personalised copies to arrive.
Selected writing: A View from the Bottom
For three seasons, I wrote a Daily Mirror column about life in football. These pieces give a flavour of the subjects I return to: character, leadership and what the game feels like from within.
True legends: Bestie, Pele and.. Hodgy
Daily Mirror · 23 April 2007
A portrait of goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson, and the care and commitment behind a football life.
A portrait of goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson, and the care and commitment behind a football life.
Clough or smooth in half-time team talk?
Daily Mirror · 22 September 2008
What helps a player at half-time, and why a clear message can matter more than a raised voice.
What helps a player at half-time, and why a clear message can matter more than a raised voice.
Non-league heroes did us so proud
Daily Mirror · 2 June 2008
An England C tour, the pride of representing your country and the uncertainty that follows players beyond the season.
An England C tour, the pride of representing your country and the uncertainty that follows players beyond the season.
About Andy
I’m a football writer, former professional player and author of 11 of Diamonds: My Nene Park Story.
From 2006 to 2009, I wrote A View from the Bottom for the Daily Mirror, sharing a player’s perspective on football’s people, dressing rooms and everyday realities.
My writing draws on my experiences as a professional footballer and coach: the relationships, decisions, humour and difficult moments that shape a career in the game.
FOOTBALL CAREER
Over two decades in the professional game as a player, coach, recruiter and football executive. UEFA A Licence coach and former professional with more than 450 senior appearances across the EFL and National League.
EXECUTIVE & OPERATIONS
Chief Operating Officer, Southport FC (2024–January 2026)
Full executive responsibility for club operations across football and business departments. Led strategic planning, budgets, staffing, governance, matchday operations and facilities, and acted as senior liaison with owners, board members, leagues and external stakeholders.
Full executive responsibility for club operations across football and business departments. Led strategic planning, budgets, staffing, governance, matchday operations and facilities, and acted as senior liaison with owners, board members, leagues and external stakeholders.
Head of Football Operations / Assistant Manager, Southport FC (2023–2024)
Oversaw first-team football operations, including recruitment processes, squad planning, performance analysis structures and logistics. Worked closely with the manager on preparation, match planning and football strategy.
Oversaw first-team football operations, including recruitment processes, squad planning, performance analysis structures and logistics. Worked closely with the manager on preparation, match planning and football strategy.
RECRUITMENT & SCOUTING
Head of Recruitment & First Team Coach, Mansfield Town FC (2019–2020)
Established and led the recruitment department at an EFL League Two club. Built and managed a nationwide network of more than 30 scouts, implemented reporting systems, supported multiple transfer windows and contributed to first-team coaching and match preparation.
Established and led the recruitment department at an EFL League Two club. Built and managed a nationwide network of more than 30 scouts, implemented reporting systems, supported multiple transfer windows and contributed to first-team coaching and match preparation.
Senior recruitment, coaching and scouting roles (2015–2023)
Luton Town · Brentford · Rotherham United · Torquay United · Manchester City · Preston North End · Sheffield Wednesday · Leeds United
First-team recruitment, opposition analysis, domestic and international scouting, player identification, academy coaching and detailed performance reporting.
Luton Town · Brentford · Rotherham United · Torquay United · Manchester City · Preston North End · Sheffield Wednesday · Leeds United
First-team recruitment, opposition analysis, domestic and international scouting, player identification, academy coaching and detailed performance reporting.
COACHING & ACADEMY
Lead Foundation Phase Coach & Academy Operations Manager, Accrington Stanley (2017–2019)
Responsible for academy operational delivery and foundation phase development. Improved coaching structures, recruitment reach and academy culture, and supported players who progressed to Premier League environments.
Responsible for academy operational delivery and foundation phase development. Improved coaching structures, recruitment reach and academy culture, and supported players who progressed to Premier League environments.
Merseyside Development Centre Lead Coach, Manchester City (2015–2017)
Set up and ran the development centre, recruiting players from the Merseyside region and signposting those with the talent to the main academy groups in Manchester.
Set up and ran the development centre, recruiting players from the Merseyside region and signposting those with the talent to the main academy groups in Manchester.
Under 10 Development Group Coach, Manchester City (2020–2021)
Coached players at the City Academy and helped those ready to move up into the main groups.
Coached players at the City Academy and helped those ready to move up into the main groups.
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Manager, Leeds United Women · Manager, Sheffield Wednesday Women · Manager, Preston North End Women · Assistant Manager, Nottingham Forest Ladies
PLAYING CAREER
Over 450 senior appearances: Rushden & Diamonds (333 appearances) · Oxford United · Luton Town · Mansfield Town
International: England C, 8 caps
Honours: National League Champion · EFL League Two Champion · Club captain · Multiple Player of the Year awards
International: England C, 8 caps
Honours: National League Champion · EFL League Two Champion · Club captain · Multiple Player of the Year awards
EXPERTISE
Football strategy and club leadership · Football operations and governance · Recruitment department leadership · Talent identification and scouting · First team and academy structures · Coaching and player development · Performance analysis · Transfer window planning and squad construction · Football department budgeting · Stakeholder and ownership communication
QUALIFICATIONS & TOOLS
UEFA A Licence · FA Youth Award · FA Futsal Level 2 · IRSM Diploma in Sports & Recreation Operations · BA (Hons) Business Management (in progress)
Tools: Wyscout · StatsBomb · Scout7 · video analysis platforms · GPS performance monitoring · Microsoft Office (advanced)
Tools: Wyscout · StatsBomb · Scout7 · video analysis platforms · GPS performance monitoring · Microsoft Office (advanced)
Enquiries about football consultancy, recruitment, coaching or executive roles: andrewburgess@btinternet.com
Let’s talk football.
I welcome enquiries about commissioned football columns, features, personal essays, interviews, appearances, guest speaking and book projects.