Gary Lineker

Author Chris Evans introduces his new biography of "that bloke off Match Of The Day"

Everyone has something to say about Gary Lineker. Whatever their age or background, there’s always a memory, opinion or story they’re willing to share about one of the most recognisable men in the United Kingdom. Of course, it helps that he’s never too far away from a TV screen.

Lineker is a man known for his quick wit and even temper (having never been booked in well over 500 professional matches), but he still splits opinion. Some people love and what he stands for, others can’t help to be rubbed up the wrong way by him.

Yet scratch beneath the surface of those knee-jerk judgements and the name Gary Lineker means different things to everyone. Some will revert to the political furores that have surrounded him in recent times; others will comment about his innate association with football on TV; then there are those who will pick out one of hundreds of goals he poached and plundered across a prolific 15-year playing career.

It highlights that Lineker’s story is one made up of several different facets. He’s reached the very top of two highly competitive careers, creating a slew of memorable moments that cross the borders of multiple generations – football lovers or not.

For a short, skinny youngster who grew up helping out on his family’s fruit-and-veg stall and nobody was tipping for greatness in his teenage years at hometown club Leicester City, Lineker’s impact is nothing short of incredible.

His debut stuck out on the wing for the Foxes was so nondescript, the next time he appeared on a Leicester teamsheet months later, his name was spelled incorrectly. There’s an alternate reality where he slipped back into anonymity.

The fact that didn’t happen is why tracing Lineker’s tale makes for such a fascinating read. For a man who is culturally so significant, too many people have either forgotten or simply aren’t old enough to recall more than the biggest highlights of his career.

A prime example of that when England’s latest world star, Jude Bellingham was asked about how much he knew about Lineker during the 2022 World Cup. The Real Madrid midfielder went on to talk about what his dad had told him, before admitting, “I think most people my age would say, ‘the guy off Match of the Day’”.

That response provided a big inspiration for writing Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon, a reason to bring Lineker’s story to a modern audience. It’s the first biography of his life in more than 30 years, digging deeper than any book on the former England captain and Match of the Day host has ever done before.

It took me hours of painstaking research and interviews with former team-mates and friends – including Alan Smith, Neville Southall and Barry Davies – to pull together the final manuscript.

It’s like stepping into a time portal back through Lineker’s life. Instead of re-remembering moments, by citing his weekly columns and capturing the media reports of the time, the biography captures the essence of his life and how Lineker felt based on what he said when they happened.

The result is a book that provides great insight into how Lineker became the man he is now. An important factor to consider when forming the opinions that surround him today.

Gary Lineker Portrait of a Football Icon by Chris Evans out now RRP ￡18.99 (Bloomsbury Sport) and is available in the Pitch Bookshop - here.