Scouting for Moyes

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All football clubs rely on scouts—men who observe teams and players to assess their abilities. Despite advancements in technology like video analysis and Prozone, the human element of scouting remains essential. Les Padfield stands out as an atypical scout, being a published poet. A promising schoolboy footballer in London, he recounts how Harry Redknapp provided crosses for his goals. Instead of pursuing a football career, he became a teacher of Physical Education and English. His scouting journey began when he attended a match at Millwall and reconnected with John Sainty, the chief scout at Preston North End, who informed him that manager David Moyes was seeking a London-based scout. Although he later moved to Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League, the enticing title 'Scouting for Moyes' was hard to resist. Les shares the frustrations and perks of scouting, including a trip to Nigeria to scout a teenage talent who preferred medicine over football. He also reflects on the instability of football life, highlighted by the sacking of Gary Megson, Bolton’s manager, in 2009. His insights provide a unique perspective on the sport, often echoing the sentiments of a dedicated fan. Royalties from the book will be donated to Cancer Research.