MY time as a Southend United supporter started just after Roy McDonough had stopped playing for the club.

I therefore never saw him line up for Blues.

But over the years I heard enough stories to feel like I had actually watched Roy hundreds of times.

His former team-mates and fans older than myself would often tell me unbelievable tales about his antics both on and off the pitch.

And I have to confess I often wondered if they were really telling the truth – until now!

For, after reading the newly released Red Card Roy, I realise now that Roy has to be one of the most charismatic players to have ever been involved in the game and that the stories I heard were tame in comparison to what else he had been up to.

That makes for a compelling and very honest read which is not for the faint hearted as Roy tells all about numerous brawls, women and early baths.

Roy, after all, was sent off a record 22 times during his playing career and was involved in clashes with the likes of Tony Pulis, Martin O’Neill and David Moyes who have all gone on to manage in the Premier League.

That makes the book even more of an entertaining read but beyond the brashness you also see something numerous defenders must have felt never existed – a kinder side to Roy as he speaks of trying to impress his competitive father and a wider range of sensitive topics. All in all, there is more action and laugh out loud moments in just one chapter of this book than there is most other bland football autobiographies from so called Premier League superstars.

Unlike them, Roy actually has a story to tell and it is brilliantly written by Bernie Friend, meaning this is a must read book for fans of any football team and not just Southend United.