Footballer Joey Barton's autobiography to S&S

Simon & Schuster UK has acquired No Nonsense, the "game-changing" autobiography of footballer Joey Barton.

S&S acquired UK & Commonwealth rights to the book from David Riding of MBA.

According to the publisher, Barton "overcame a tough upbringing and rejection by his local club, Everton, to become a successful footballer, playing for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Marseille and currently Burnley, as well as the England national team."

The publisher added: "However, his career has been peppered with controversies for various onfield and off-field incidents, and in 2008 reached a real low point when he was sent to prison for assault. Since then, and following the birth of his children, he has found a new path and established a reputation for candid, insightful analysis – even earning himself a guest slot on BBC’s Question Time. His uncompromising honesty on social media has proved hugely popular, with over 3.1m followers on Twitter alone."

Ian Marshall, editorial director at Simon & Schuster, said: “This will be a game-changing autobiography. Joey Barton is quite simply the most fascinating figure in British football. He was the first player to harness the power of social media to tell it as it really is, no filters, no media handlers. In an era of often-bland celebrity memoirs, Joey’s book will be raw, honest, entertaining and outspoken, tracing his unique and inspirational story with real intelligence and insight. Love him or loathe him, it will be the must-read autobiography of the year.”

Barton said: “You may think you know me, but prepare to be surprised. No Nonsense looks beyond Joey Barton, the caricature. I've not spared myself because I know only unflinching honesty will put the controversies into context. I acknowledge my mistakes without indulging in superficial contrition. I reveal what it takes to survive in modern football, a sport which eats people alive. I take you inside the dressing room and the prison cell. I give you a firm promise: this is not the usual vanilla-flavoured memoir. It will challenge you, and who knows, it may even change your perception of me.”

No Nonsense will be written with author and journalist Michael Calvin and published on 22nd September 2016.