---
product_id: 274352316
title: "How Not to Be a Professional Footballer"
brand: "paul merson"
price: "€ 22.99"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.nl/products/274352316-how-not-to-be-a-professional-footballer
store_origin: NL
region: Netherlands
---

# How Not to Be a Professional Footballer

**Brand:** paul merson
**Price:** € 22.99
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** How Not to Be a Professional Footballer by paul merson
- **How much does it cost?** € 22.99 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nl](https://www.desertcart.nl/products/274352316-how-not-to-be-a-professional-footballer)

## Best For

- paul merson enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted paul merson brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

How Not to Be a Professional Footballer

## Images

![How Not to Be a Professional Footballer - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71T7ZInoU6L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Four Stars
  

*by K***K on Reviewed in India on 25 August 2016*

Good entertaining book.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A Sad But Brutally Honest Story About a Deeply Flawed Man
  

*by B***Y on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 December 2011*

As an Arsenal Supporter who saw Paul Merson make his debut, and watched live many of his performances, this book was always going to be of great interest to me. Although I already knew many of the facts about his turbulent personal life, reading the man himself recount them with brutal honesty was quite gripping.The title of this book says it all: this autobiography is not a sports one but really a tragic tale about a deeply flawed man who just happened to be a professional footballer. Merson's chronic addictions to gambling, alcohol and cocaine almost wrecked his career, and left him in poverty. And had he not sought and received professional help he, in his own words, would now be "six feet under".While reading this book it struck me that it would be very useful to any psychiatrist or councillor who specialises in treating addictions: Merson's honest descriptions of exactly how he was feeling as, again and again, he pushed the self-destruct button were deeply enlightening. His gambling addiction was so strong that an American councillor advised him to spend NINE MONTHS at a clinic in Arizona.This book also goes into great detail about Merson's football career, as he tells about the big games that he played in and his (sometimes very short) spells at different clubs right across England, from Middlesbrough to Portsmouth. However, the thing missing from this book is the information about his personal life. His two wives and (I think) four children barely get a mention. How he met them and how they felt about his out-of-control lifestyle are not covered in any depth.This book is a entertaining read which I found hard to put down. At the end of it you don't know whether to feel sorry for Merson or angry at him: he did have a successful career but it could have been so much better. And he should now be a rich man instead of a flat-broke ex-pro.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Very good read. Recommend highly.
  

*by F***E on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2018*

I followed Arsenal avidly back in the 90s and this took me back to special times. I'd forgotten just how special Arsenal were back then and the truly magnificent players that were a partn of it, Wright, Parkour, Dennis B, Rocastle, Adams, K Campbell, Dixon, Winterburn, Known and The Merse. Football was so different back then and Paul Merson takes you back there with his tales and anecdotes. I always knew he was a character and had trouble off the pitch but I had no idea to what extent.A brilliant read. I didn't want it to end.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.nl/products/274352316-how-not-to-be-a-professional-footballer](https://www.desertcart.nl/products/274352316-how-not-to-be-a-professional-footballer)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Netherlands*
*Store origin: NL*
*Last updated: 2026-02-27*