Mick Martin was one of the best Irish footballers in the 1970s and 1980s who played in the English First Division. An Irish international for over a decade, he picked up over 50 caps. He was an ever-reliable presence at the heart of midfield for Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United during his career, and was club captain at Newcastle for a number of years. It was while at St James' Park that Mick was give the nickname 'Zico'.
In the Blood: The Mick Martin Story tells the story of a Dublin boy who went from playing League of Ireland and holding down a full-time job one day to being signed by Manchester United and lining up alongside legends like George Best and Bobby Charlton literally the next.
A son of former international Con Martin, Mick carried on the family name into the world of professional football. Mick has been to the four corners of the world, both with Ireland and during his club career, and has some wonderful anecdotes from his time in the professional game.
As well as a long and successful career on the pitch, Mick was the first team coach at Celtic and Newcastle United. He was also chief scout for both Giovanni Trapattoni and Martin O'Neill.
In the Blood is a fascinating look into the world of professional football during that glorious era. Any football lover will love the insights from this book and what it was like to play alongside, and against, some of the biggest names in world football. It is also living proof that any young boy, if good enough, can make it in the game.
