On Days Like These

The Lost Memoir of a Goalkeeper

By: Tim Rich

Narrated by: Rupert Farley

'Emotional, insightful, beautifully written. A story of making saves and being saved. The best football book I have read this year.' Henry Winter

Sir Alex Ferguson looked at Joe Sealey: 'You know your dad saved my career?' Joe replied: 'And you saved his.'

More than three decades before, in 1990, Ferguson's managerial career stood at its lowest ebb. After three barren years at Old Trafford, he was facing dismissal. There was just the FA Cup final left. Manchester United were lucky to escape with a 3-3 draw at Wembley. For the replay, Ferguson took the gamble of his life, replacing his long-standing keeper, Jim Leighton, with Les Sealey, on loan from Luton. United won. Ferguson remained, winning another 24 major trophies.

Les Sealey would play in another three finals for United. When he died suddenly, aged 43, Les left behind a warm, witty, and detailed autobiography in the form of a Tupperware box full of cassette tapes. His death, however, threw his son, Joe, into a tormented spiral of alcoholism and drug abuse before he was dragged from the brink.

On Days Like These, longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, is the story of a remarkable double rescue. Of a football club and of a man.

'Brings alive early 90s #MUFC & the mad genius of Ferguson' Sam Wallace©2023 Tim Rich

Critic reviews

The skilful reworking of an unfinished memoir. A brilliant retelling of Les Sealey's life; and his family's grief. Brings alive early 90s #MUFC & the mad genius of Ferguson. All created from audio cassettes of memories Sealey left behind. Loved it. (Sam Wallace, The Telegraph)

Emotional, insightful, beautifully-written book about the 1990 FA Cup final, Les Sealey, Alex Ferguson, Sealey's son Joe and a box full of cassette tapes. A story about making saves and being saved. Best football book I've read this year. (Henry Winter, The Times)

Hilarious and heart-tugging in equal measure

It isn't just a touching tribute: it also offers a rich portrait of the near-unrecognisable world of English football on the precipice of the Premier League - and the vast riches that would change it forever.

Excellent

One of the best sports books I've read this year. Two intertwined stories that can be rough at times but there is an honesty and authenticity much needed in the modern football world.