Simon Astaire
SOL’S THANKS
To my mother Wilhelmina, who has always been there for me. My wife Fiona Barratt-Campbell, my love, a special human being, and to our beautiful children. My father Sewell, who was extremely tough on us, but I forgive you. My brothers and sisters, who in their own way showed love and compassion in the difficult earlier years – I honour you and forgive you all, because life has a strange way of turning upside down, and actions which you can’t explain back then, are only seen in their true light later on.
To all the coaches, players and teachers, past and present, who positively contributed to my life. My friends who I grew up with from Stratford, East London – you know who you are. My biographer Simon Astaire, who showed great patience when, at first, I wasn’t ready to tell my story. My publisher, who has been on hand when things were turning and twisting all the way through the writing of this book. Thank you all for being a part of this journey.
Finally, to all my foes, who made me stretch myself to see how far I could go, even when sometimes it was too much. At least I found out a lot about myself and the landscapes through which I was navigating, and I ultimately grew as a person.
PICTURE CREDITS
The publisher would like to thank the following for permission to reproduce photographs:
Action Images, Brandon Malone / Stuart McFarlane, Arsenal Football Club / Blue Pitch Media / Colorsport / Getty Images, Shaun Botterill / Getty, Michael Regan / Sky Andrew / Action Images, Darren Walsh / Action Images, Tony O’Brien / Roger Price Photography Ltd / Action Images, Tony Henshaw / Action Images, Andrew Boyers, Livepic / Kieron Doherty, Reuters / Bob Thomas Sports Photography / Mattias Pettersson / Adam Butler, Press Association Images
All other photographs are courtesy of Sol Campbell and Fiona Barratt. Thanks to Sol Campbell for his back cover design input.
The publishers have endeavoured to contact all copyright holders to clear permissions, but where omissions have been made, will rectify on notification.
Sol Campbell Page 32