50 Grades of Shame - Terry Rice-Milton

Rory Stafford is suffering through a three game football ban. The skipper for Barcaster United has always had a temper, yet so far it's only resulted in a few black eyes and a couple of dislodged jaws (never his). Away from the pitch Stafford likes to encourage the younger members of the squad, even though his idea of encouragement is often accomplished through colourful language and threatening intimidation. He means well, it's just that Stafford is passionate about the game that's been his life for so many years now, to the point where he's convinced that it's up to him and him alone to get Barcaster to the top of the league. But fate has other plans, and Stafford's life is changed forever when a last minute surgery saves him from perishing during a horrific accident off the pitch. No longer the man he used to be, Stafford is forced to come to terms with his new situation as he reconnects with old friends, former teammates and most importantly, the game he knows and loves. The usually confident and sure-headed footballer is shaken to the core, starting afresh in the same underdog position as the skippers he used to give so much grief. Terry Rice-Milton captures the excess and farce of high profile professional football in his brilliant new novel, 50 Grades of Shame. As Stafford goes from living the high life as a spoilt brat star who could get whatever he wanted to a rude awakening that leaves him once again fighting for his status, the footballer comes to understand that there's more to life than the spotlight.