The Secret Footballer is the pseudonym of a former Premier League footballer who contributed articles to The Guardian newspaper and has written five books, I Am The Secret Footballer, Tales From The Secret Footballer, The Secret Footballer's Guide to the Modern Game, The Secret Footballer: Access All Areas, and How to Win: Lessons from the Premier League.

The Secret Footballer is English, has played for at least two Premier League clubs and was once relegated on the last day of the season. He grew up on a rural council estate and was a late starter in organised football and signed his first professional contract aged 21. He was still playing as late as 2011.

He says he considered suicide after the end of his career but his writing steered him away from alcohol abuse. says he wants to reveal his identity but fears being sued for the content of his work.[1]

Former Reading and Stoke City striker Dave Kitson has been written about as being a 'leading contender' as The Secret Footballer.[2][3]

Bibliography

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  • The Secret Footballer: Access All Areas (Guardian Faber, 2015)
  • The Secret Footballer's Guide to the Modern Game: Tips and Tactics from the Ultimate Insider (Guardian Faber, 2014)
  • Tales From The Secret Footballer (Guardian Faber, 2013)
  • I Am The Secret Footballer: Lifting the Lid on the Beautiful Game (Guardian Faber, 2012)
  • How to Win: Lessons from the Premier League (Guardian Faber, 2017)

References

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  1. ^ "The Secret Footballer: I want to 'out' myself - but fear I'll be sued". BBC Sport. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Fans identify The Secret Footballer as mystery star trends online". Birmingham Live. 9 April 2018.
  3. ^ "'Is it you?' - Ex-Stoke City striker Dave Kitson quizzed on being The Secret Footballer". StokeOnTrentLive. 23 August 2020.
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