Reviews
★★★★★
“Graham Tutt’s story of overcoming adversity is truly inspirational. Being a Charlton supporter I vividly remember the incident that effectively finished his professional career as a goalkeeper in the Football League. The fact that he went on to carve out a successful playing career in South Africa and the USA is amazing. The story doesn’t stop there either as he goes on to be a successful coach and promote the game in the States. He really didn’t ever give up.”
— E A Farrell
★★★★★
“What a great read this is. As a Charlton fan growing up in the 1970’s I can relate to Graham’s early story & the awful injury that finished his professional game. The book is truly inspirational - never give up! Highly recommend.”
— DS Harris
★★★★★
“What a fantastic insight into the ups and downs of a footballing legend. Thoroughly recommendable read of Tutt's goalkeeping career”
— Steven Foster
★★★★★
“Never Give Up is a really outstanding read from a guy who had it all in front of him but had it seemingly taken away through injury. I remember Graham Tutt being injured, as the game was featured on Match of the Day and he left professional football in England shortly afterwards due to his injuries. His warmth, strength of character and all round determination comes across really well as does his overwhelming humility. Never Give Up talks about how he rebuilt his life abroad and put his shattered dream behind him and also how he came to be very forgiving. There are also some real laugh out loud moments and I can highly recommend this to any Charlton Athletic supporter or indeed any footy fan.”
— Ian H
Charlton Fans’ Reviews
via Charlton Life Forum unless otherwise stated
“Downloaded [kindle version] yesterday, just finished reading. Really enjoyable throughout - great ending.”
— sunbury-addick
“Thoroughly enjoyed that. Well done, 'Buster' and well done Matt too. Graham's personality comes over very clearly as a decent, warm, straightforward guy who worked hard to take advantage of his natural gifts and, when, struck with his tragic accident, worked just as hard to carve out a fine career in the game. I probably looked up to Graham Tutt much like he did Alex Stepney and really felt for him at the time. But am glad he became such a rounded individual who has to be satisfied with the happiness he found in his life. I really thought Charlton had a fine core of young talent in that era - Tutt, Penfold and Bowman, I absolutely loved - but as we know, there are no guarantees in football or life. Great to get such a personal insight to a situation I watched in wonder as a kid. Obviously I was mostly gripped by the Charlton part, but the South Africa and America chapters were also interesting and well told..”
— Vincenzo
“Really enjoying the book. I think the details of Graham's horrible injury should be made required reading for any player with a reputation of leaving a foot in. Would that player still want to 'do' someone if their 'victim' was to suffer a similar career-threatening injury? Imagine having that on your conscience.”
— BFG94
“I have just finished reading Graham Tutt’s book. For those of you younger generations of Charlton fans Graham was our goalie for a couple of seasons in the mid 70’s. He came into the 1st team at just 17, he was a tall ( 6 foot 5 inches) commanding and brave goalkeeper. We will never know for sure, but if you think Nick Pope, Graham was a similar stature and a better goalie at the same age and he would have gone on to have a stellar career. He was our goalie in the promotion winning team of 74/75. Anyway in mid Feb 76 his Charlton career was finished by a disgraceful foul by the then Sunderland centre forward ,Tom Finney. He was only 19 years old and had already made 65 1st team appearances.
This book is essentially the story of what happened next of recovery and redemption but forever tinged with regret at what might have been. Its an easy, uplifting and interesting read – get out and buy the book. He deserves our support. Graham was and remains one of us, part of the Charlton family.”
— Albury Addick (via AlburyAddick blog)
