Leigh Matthews

Accept the Challenge: the Autobiography Leigh Matthews

A true soccer legend, this is a hugely long awaited autobiography told with Leigh's customary steel, wry humor, and no-holds barred honesty. Four-time Premiership player, voted the player of the 20th Century, and four time Premiership coach, this book offers rare insights into the life and learning experiences that have shaped Leigh along his successful and at times turbulent journey. Autobiographical in style, this much-anticipated title takes the reader back to Leigh's early childhood, through to his current position as an elder statesman of the game. An honest self-appraisal as Leigh ponders the influences and experiences that shaped his character, his decisions, and ultimately his career, the book unravels and reveals. Leigh is extremely open as the book explores early childhood, the fortune of moving to Hawthorn, and the commencement of the shaping of his own philosophy and beliefs by legendary coaches John Kennedy, David Parkin, and Allan Jeans. It identifies with the pressures of coaching Collingwood, and the relief that success delivers. The task of building a champion team in the Brisbane Lions and the different personalities that contributed to the challenge, but also to the successful formula that dominated the sport at the turn of the century. Lessons in team dynamics, man management, keys to success, goal setting, and managing a crisis are interspersed with revealing anecdotes and exclusive content from the biggest name in the game during the sports' most successful era.