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Mick Rathbone

Mick Rathbone

My brother was an apprentice at Blackburn in the early 80s and said Mick, who was a player there at the time, was a top bloke who really looked after him. (Unlike Duncan McKenzie, who kept taking him out on the lash and getting him into bother.)
 
survey said:
I've just read the Smell of Football the Baz Rathbone autobiography, what a brilliant read. A legend at our great club
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You’re right, it’s a really interesting insight into his playing and medical career. Fascinating to read how he was so fearful as a young player turning out for Birmingham City and how the fear of giving the ball away on the pitch meant that he never did himself justice for them. Was a loyal servant for us though and - unlike Jim Branagan who also came to North End from Rovers at the same time as Rathbone - Mick still had plenty of energy left in his legs and no shortage of quality either.
 
Probably the best football autobiography I've read. He could have easily thrown in the towel after his experience at Birmingham (anybody that thinks it's ok to boo one of their own players really needs to read this book!)

It seems his whole career was a fight against his lack of confidence and low self esteem.

That battle was won and he ended up in one of the top jobs in his after playing profession.

All credit to the man.
 
I was at Bolton not too far from the incident in which he received a fractured jaw. Nasty injury. Think John Thomas was playing for Bolton that day and that we had a number of decent chances but lost 1-0. Some things don't change.
 
Read it a long time ago. Yes one of the top sporting autobiographies. Brutally honest, with vulnerabilities and insecurities all laid bare. Two things that really stick in my mind are, firstly that he was so in awe of Trevor Francis at Birmingham that he was speechless in his presence, and secondly how so many of his Sundays were ruined by the star rating (usually 5) awarded to him by the Sunday People. Also seem to remember that Leighton James didn't come out of it too well...?
 
Baz wouldnt tell you this story, but I will.

One of my daughters picked up a serious injury playing football.

To cut a long story short, Baz took control of her rehab at no cost, and more than this actually, out of his own pocket, ensured she had some of the best private treatment going.

I know, also, that my daughters story was not an isolated case.

Along withsome shitbags there are some real gems associated with our game. Mick Rathbone is one of them.
 
No Danger said:
I was at Bolton not too far from the incident in which he received a fractured jaw. Nasty injury. Think John Thomas was playing for Bolton that day and that we had a number of decent chances but lost 1-0. Some things don't change.
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I once asked him about that incident because, like you, I was close to it and thought it was a bit naughty. He said it was a total accident and he held no grudges against Jeff Chandler - even though he still has numbness,

I’m sure I read he was writing a follow up.
 
I met Baz out in Malta in 2014 when he was with England under 17s Euros, the squad were staying at our hotel.
Lovely bloke and had a few words with him.
And yes his autobiography is great.
If you can find his interview on the undr the cosh podcast with Chris Brown and Jon Parkin it’s very funny.
As is that podcast in general, a lot of ex Nobbers on.
 
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