Arsenal and After - My Story

Paul Davis's story takes us on a journey through almost 50 years at the top in football, battling against career-threatening injuries and handling the frustrations and injustices of club and dressing room politics. He was often the only black player wearing Arsenal colors in the early 1980s, facing racism in football and beyond. His emotional experiences are the lens through which he looks back on his achievements as a player, coach, and educator.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 18 August 2022
Publisher: Reach plc

Paul Davis's life story is a captivating journey through almost 50 years at the top of the modern game. It takes us on a journey through an extraordinary and memorable period in Arsenal's history, during which the club and football changed radically and forever around him. Davis won titles and cups with Arsenal, but he had to battle against career-threatening injuries and to handle the frustrations and injustices of the worst kinds of club and dressing room politics. His subsequent experiences as a coach and as a coach-developer have been just as challenging, just as emotionally charged, and just as significant.

Arsenal And After - An Education offers more than just a fascinating football story. Paul's mum, Ruby, arrived in England from Jamaica in the late 1950s, as part of the Windrush generation. She brought up Paul and his sister, Sandra, on her own, on a council estate in Stockwell, South London. Much of the Davis family history was - and still is - a mystery to Paul, who never knew or knew anything about his father. He was already a senior player at Arsenal before he discovered he had siblings: the three children Ruby had left behind in Kingston when she d struck out for a new life in England, thirty years before.

As a teenager, Davis was often the only black player wearing Arsenal colours. As often as not, he'd be the only black player on the pitch. With that came challenges: racism in football and beyond in the early 1980s was undiluted and unapologetic. The fight for recognition - for opportunity and for change - has been part of the Davis story ever since. His own emotional experiences are the lens through which he now looks back on everything.

Davis's journey to the top of the game was not without its obstacles. He faced discrimination and racism throughout his career, both on and off the pitch. He was often the only black player in the team and faced constant scrutiny and criticism from fans and media alike. Despite this, Davis never let it deter him from achieving his goals. He worked hard and dedicated himself to his craft, becoming one of the best players in the world.

In addition to his football career, Davis has also had a successful coaching career. He has coached at various levels, including youth teams and professional teams. He has also been involved in coach-development programs, working to improve the skills and knowledge of aspiring coaches.

One of the most significant aspects of Davis's life story is his fight for recognition and opportunity. He faced many challenges throughout his career, but he never gave up. He fought for equal pay and treatment for black players and coaches, and he worked to promote diversity and inclusion in football.

Despite his many achievements, Davis remains humble and down-to-earth. He is a true inspiration to young players and coaches alike, and his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.

In conclusion, Paul Davis's life story is a compelling and relevant one that deserves to be told. It is a story of triumph over adversity, of hard work and dedication, and of a fight for recognition and opportunity. Davis's journey to the top of the game is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination, and his story is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 161 x 243 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914197352