First off, a confession: I don't like biographies. In particular, I don't like player biographies. Too often they're pretentious, ego-massaging,bank account boosting exercises in self-promotion that offer little in the way of genuine insight. Unless, of course, you consider tales of lads' nights out or those of puerile banter as falling under the category of insightful.

Confessions of a Football Reporter...another Biggs at Large By Alan Biggs Published by Vertical Editions, August 2011 £12.99 ISBN: 9781904091516 In the second of three book reviews we should be publishing this week, we welcome back Ian Rands of A United View on Football. Ian was lucky enough recently to secure an interview with football journalist Alan Biggs - the BBC's go-to guy for South

Last summer I heard rumours that Paul Gascoigne was dead. Unlike the rest of the rubbish that circulates the ether, sadly this had the ring of truth. He had been looking more pale and drawn than ever and the stories more bizarre, if that were possible.

Gazza stopped being daft as a brush years ago but the nation kept on laughing.

Dead easy, this interviewing malarkey. Turn on the recorder, sit back, arrange the gems in some semblance of order and there you have it. At least you do when you speak to someone with the infectious enthusiasm of Martin Cloake. A leading authority on Spurs in print, many books written alongside co-author Adam Powley, his ardent passion for the club as journalist and fan remains undiminished.

Book Review: Joe Fagan - Reluctant Champion by Andrew Fagan and Mark Platt
There are two iconic images that seem to perfectly sum up Joe Fagan's time as Liverpool manager. The first has him lounging by a pool in front of two Italian carabinieri and the Champions Cup, won the night before, besides him.

On my daughter's mantelpiece sits a photo of her son, then aged about 3, walking along the beach with his father. Taken from behind, they are unaware of the camera's presence. Their stance and gait are identical. Size and stature come from shared genes, the rest, the bit that matters, just happens.

As a self professed comic book nerd I can appreciate the concept of alternate realities and multiple universes. That being said I'm generally not a big fan of sports fiction so this soccer book is a bit of a departure from the other efforts reviewed here. Michael Maddox's "The Ten Shirt" sort of made me feel like I was reading one of the possible alternate reality stories that I encounter after picking up the new weekly stash of reading material on Wednesday afternoons at the local geek store.

Book Review: Scouting for Moyes by Les Padfield
If nausea happens to be your initial reaction upon seeing what this book is about, then it would be understandable. These days everyone remotely involved in the game of football seems all too eager to write down his life story irrespective of what comes out.