Dickie Bird: My Autobiography

He did play for Barnsley and later--though intermittently--for his beloved Yorkshire. Fated to be the 12th man, however, he left for Leicestershire from where, though he played regularly, he retired and chose instead to go into umpiring. The rest, as they say, is history; but it is an interesting history of a miner's son who became a worldwide celebrity and chose to tell his millions of adoring fans the whole tale.

Growing up in Barnsley, becoming a professional cricketer, then training as an umpire-- all the steps along the way are lovingly recorded in My Autobiography. The first umpire to become a celebrity and all-round "character", Dickie Bird never once forgot his fans. Signing autographs for children after gruelling days on the Test circuit, always having a word for waiting interviewers, forever friendly with the press--Dickie Bird always eschewed the trappings of fame. And fortune--twice he turned down lucrative offers to leave England and become a celebrity umpire abroad.

66 Test matches, three World Cup finals and 92 one-day Internationals after that fateful day at Barnsley Cricket Club, Dickie Bird retired from his sport with more than a few tears. He had spent more than 50 years controlling the enthusiasm of the world's greatest players while "married to cricket" and if there is one thing he puts across in his book, it is his passion for the game.

With an introduction by fellow Barnsley-man and cricketer Michael Parkinson, this book- -now the bestselling British sports autobiography of all time--is written with Bird's trademark bluntness. The enthralling story he tells will appeal not only to cricket lovers but to anyone interested in human nature in general. --Lucie Naylor

Throughout this book Dickie recalls the best moments from a career that spanned over 40 years, a career that included 66 test matches, 3 world cup finals and 92 one day internationals. This book will without doubt appeal to everyone, not just cricket fans. It humorously takes a look at the career of a man loved throughout the world, capturing his life and his achievements in great detail. Dickie always had time for anyone, including his adoring mass of fans who will fondly remember his love of the game.Introduced by his close friend Michael Parkison, My Life is cleverly written with the same wit and humour that has become the Bird trademark with the great man not afraid to speak his mind or show his emotions.

Review by Philip Price


Not so much an Autobiography ...   January 30, 1999
Like most Englishmen, I admire Dickie for his modest but firm attachment to the game of cricket. However, I feel it is unfair to describe this book as an AUTOBIOGRAPHY - it is more a series of anecdotes, stastics and sketches of his friends and colleagues. I don't regret buying it and reading it, but I HAD hoped to find out more about the inner man rather than about his friends Trueman, Boycott, Parkinson and Keith Lodge. Apart from that, if you enjoy cricket, you'll enjoy (most of) this book.