Be Careful What You Wish For

Very enjoyable and interesting read for anyone who loves the game. You don't have to be a Palace fan to enjoy it, nor do you have to be particularly fond of Simon Jordan. While we do get to learn about how he built his multi-million pound fortune, the majority of the books is based on his work in football, and only briefly touches on more personal issues - which is good. Of course it's only one man's story, and of course he will most likely have been kinder to himself than to his enemies, but regardless it still provides a great insight into the bizarre and illogical world in which football operates, and the many shady characters within it.I was one of the many football fans who disliked Simon Jordan for no reason than his unusual appearance and smarmy personality on TV, but over the course of the book I grew to like him to a certain extent, and really feel sorry for him towards the end. I shared his frustration at agents, and at the football establishment in general, which is severely in need of modernisation.After finishing a few football books that were heavy on data, statistics and tactics, this was a nice, relaxed read. Something that would be perfect for a summer holiday.

If you truly want to know what's goes in behind the scenes at a Premier League club, and see things through the eyes of its owner, then this is the book for you.

Insightful and gripping. Clichéd adjectives, I know, but true. This is the story of Simon Jordan, a self-made British multi-millionaire whose abiding wish was to use his money to buy the soccer club he and his father grew up with and make it into the Premier League success he knew it could be. The tale does not have a happy ending. The very same single-minded grit, determination and brashness that made him such a success in the early days of cell phones caused him to run afoul of every entrenched interest in English soccer. 23 million pounds sterling later he walked away a sad and disillusioned man. The bottom line: Crass and unsophisticated as he could be, English soccer winds up looking far worse.

Simon Jordan has written a thoroughly enjoyable book that I believe is a must read for the American soccer fan. The financial commitment of owning any professional sports team is tremendous, but it is exponentially greater in a pro/rel environment.

A decent read, not sure how I feel about Simon Jordan after this book, hard to tell how much is truth, exaggeration or misunderstandings/paranoia without reading more books like this. Worth a read but probably not worth paying too much for it.

Great insight. Honest. Jordan is likeable. Shows how ridiculous the FA are and how scum agents operate.

If you're a football fan then I would highly recommend it. It gives you an insight what it was really like for Simon Jordan to become the youngest football club chairman at 32, the trials and tribulations of being a chairman and what he thought of various figures within the game.

Good insight into the unseen world of football in UK, from an owners perspective. Doesn't hold back on his opinions of players/managers/agents/chairmen/other owners. Good read.

I enjoyed reading this book, Simon Jordan is forthright and very clear in his views, which often leads to entertaining comments about famous football colleagues. This follows Simon from being a young Crystal Palace supporter through an exciting rise as a high level entrepreneur, to owning and then losing Crystal Palace football club.The book is well written, funny and easy to read, I had finished it within a day and thorough enjoyed it. The style is of someone settling scores and detailing everything they see wrong with modern football.Simon shoots from the hip and can be scathing about the football industry, footballers, managers and other chairmen, he details feuds and issues which affected him as well as close relationships with mentors and friends. There aren’t many characters like Simon Jordan in football, his ideas and views on football are interesting and thoughtful and the anecdotes are excellent throughout.I’m not a Palace fan, but really enjoyed this and can’t think of another book by a football chairman that is better!

I really enjoy listening to Simon on Talk Sport. I love his “ no holds barred” approach and his insight into the professional game.Highly knowledgeable in his subject.This is a cracker of a book for the football fan.The sort of guy you would like to have dinner with so he could tell you the stories that probably he can’t commit to paper.

A really good read. Blows open the whole secret world of Football business and politics. Written with a no holds barred approach to anyone who crossed him, Jordan also displays an endearing self-deprecating humour when highlighting his own short comings. If you're purely a football fan you will still enjoy it, despite the fact that some of the financial jargon can get a bit difficult to follow. If you're interested in business as well, plus a gripping story about the human condition, you'll love it. As I did!

Mixed feelings about this book.Some interesting I insights into football club ownership and the whole culture of football especially the current unhealthy grip of agents..I did not however warm to the author,something almost Trumpian in his appointment and then dismissal of managers and others that he really knew were not suitable from the outsetPerhaps it is inevitable that someone in his line of business Will not exactly be Mother Teresa and the last few paragraphs demonstrate a more humble conclusion .Also anyone who backs The Specials cannot be all badIt would be fascinating to hear perspectives of others involved to provide balance to a story of martyrdom.Worth a read though and I suspect it will not be the last we hear of Mr Jordan

what a fascinating read. You at times are dismayed by Mr Jordan's arrogance and cockiness, but within the next paragraph are stunned by the revelations of the sheer effort the !am out in along with huge personal wealth to !she a.go of it!At a time when the game is more about money then ever before, all clubs could do with more Jordan's and less Kronke's, like at my club.Would recommend every fan or not have a read of this one. Not quite finished in one sitting, but done in 6 days.Overall a fantastic read and no doubt a man you could add to a dinner party list and not be disappointed!Stay in talk sport sir, it/we need you.