The man who was Stoke City FC's 'Mr Dependable'

Eric Skeels is Stoke City's record appearance holder, making over 600 appearances in an 18-year career at the club.

Eric was a selfless defender-cum-midfielder who could deliver a solid performance and be happy to let others take the glory. A tremendous club servant, he played in every outfield position, even wearing the No 9 shirt on one famous occasion at Anfield!

Skeels played with the legends of the game, including Stanley Matthews, Gordon Banks, Geoff Hurst, Peter Shilton, Alan Hudson and Jimmy Greenhoff, and in this memoir tells tales of them and opponents such as George Best, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano and Pele. Playing through the 1960s and 70s meant he also mixed socially with some of the game's great mavericks and lived to tell these stories too.

His is a memoir of how a lad from Eccles in Manchester made the most of his talent to forge a career that made him one of the greatest players ever to turn out for the Potters. It is unmissable for its candour and charm.

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