A Look At: Behind the Back Page

Book Review: Behind the Back Page by Chris Davies

One the cover of this book there's a quote attributed to Ian Ridley where he discribes the author, Chris Davies, as being "a funny guy".

Such a comment would normally be the prelude to a long read without any laughs. Fortunately this isn't the case. Davies has met many interesting preople and certianly tells a good story. His puns - and this book is a constant stream of them - could get tiring but, strangely, they don't.

Sadly, the book doesn't live up to another promise that is made on the front cover, that this book will offer an insight to the life of a sports writer.

What we get is are the all too predictable complaints about the hardship of following teams to major tournaments or on their way there.

Indeed Davies does much to prove that the stereotype of the Englander abroad is still very much alive and kicking.

One moan after another about what seems to be petty things, no real desire to explore the countries where he's staying and much less any apetite for local food. Only towards the end of the book, in Barcelona, does he display an inking of appreciation to what he is seeing. Tellingly, he has gone freelance at this stage and is there to do an interview rather than cover a game.

What the book definitely doesn't do is explain Davies' character. How he came into sports journalism is only briefly touched upon and there's really no insight into what he feels whilst watching a game. Indeed, the actual talk about football could probably fit into a couple of pages.

Then there's his journeys to cover the Superbowl. Again we're left in the dark over how that came about or even whether he actually likes the game of American Football.

All of which leaves you a bit hollow. Davies has a talent for telling jokes and one more than one instance you'll find yourself chuckling at his stories.

Yet there isn't really a central theme. You can dip in and out of this book, chosing randomly the chapters you opt to read without really missing anything.

Ultimately, this is an easy and enjoyable read despite the shortcomings. Sadly, it is also a book that had the potential to be so much better but doesn't.

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