Jim Riordan has been a double bassist, hotel porter, railway clerk, barman, postman, unbreakable tea-set salesman, award-winning children's author, spy and footballer, and is now Professor Emeritus in Russian Studies at the University of Surrey. He lives in Portsmouth with his family.

‘This charming book encompasses all those elements that help make a modern bestseller – espionage, treachery, class warfare, politics, celebrity, drink, nostalgia and football.’ Literary Review‘His book reads like a Boy’s Own thriller and, if you don’t follow any other advice I give you, pick this up in a good bookshop near you.’ George Galloway, Scottish Daily Record‘Had this wonderful book been a work of fiction it may have been deemed too incredible for publication. It is a genre defying rollercoaster ride.’ Sunday Tribune‘An extraordinary tale of cold war era football. This is a man who lived on history’s front line, whose story shows what the 20th century’s great political shifts meant to individuals.’ Jonathan Wilson, FourFourTwo ‘Best Book’‘This is a timely and engaging look back on a past that really is a foreign country.’ Tom Davies, When Saturday Comes

Jim Riordan has been a double bassist, hotel porter, railway clerk, barman, postman, unbreakable tea-set salesman, award-winning children's author, spy and footballer, and is now Professor Emeritus in Russian Studies at the University of Surrey. He lives in Portsmouth with his family.

‘This charming book encompasses all those elements that help make a modern bestseller – espionage, treachery, class warfare, politics, celebrity, drink, nostalgia and football.’ Literary Review‘His book reads like a Boy’s Own thriller and, if you don’t follow any other advice I give you, pick this up in a good bookshop near you.’ George Galloway, Scottish Daily Record‘Had this wonderful book been a work of fiction it may have been deemed too incredible for publication. It is a genre defying rollercoaster ride.’ Sunday Tribune‘An extraordinary tale of cold war era football. This is a man who lived on history’s front line, whose story shows what the 20th century’s great political shifts meant to individuals.’ Jonathan Wilson, FourFourTwo ‘Best Book’‘This is a timely and engaging look back on a past that really is a foreign country.’ Tom Davies, When Saturday Comes

Jim Riordan has been a double bassist, hotel porter, railway clerk, barman, postman, unbreakable tea-set salesman, award-winning children's author, spy and footballer, and is now Professor Emeritus in Russian Studies at the University of Surrey. He lives in Portsmouth with his family.

‘This charming book encompasses all those elements that help make a modern bestseller – espionage, treachery, class warfare, politics, celebrity, drink, nostalgia and football.’ Literary Review‘His book reads like a Boy’s Own thriller and, if you don’t follow any other advice I give you, pick this up in a good bookshop near you.’ George Galloway, Scottish Daily Record‘Had this wonderful book been a work of fiction it may have been deemed too incredible for publication. It is a genre defying rollercoaster ride.’ Sunday Tribune‘An extraordinary tale of cold war era football. This is a man who lived on history’s front line, whose story shows what the 20th century’s great political shifts meant to individuals.’ Jonathan Wilson, FourFourTwo ‘Best Book’‘This is a timely and engaging look back on a past that really is a foreign country.’ Tom Davies, When Saturday Comes