My United Road is the story of a kid who almost made it. The memories of a boy whose dreams came tantalisingly close to true. Above all else, it’s a boisterous and heartfelt love-letter to the club that inspired him, signed him and, not long after, sacked him – but which never put a dent in his devotion.

By turns humorous and humbling, My United Road lifts the curtain on what life is really like for aspiring young players trying to get to the top and the challenges that stand in their way. It’s also a history of the Reds from the 1970s to the present day, told with passion and wit by someone who saw much of it from the inside. Manchester’s landmark matches, the reigns of managers from Docherty to Fergie, the hijinks off the pitch – Nick weaves together in-the-know anecdotes and his own perspective to create a rich and compelling narrative that draws the reader in.

Nicky’s professional career may have been short-lived – from being signed by Manchester United from school as an apprentice, then onto professional forms before being spat out soon after – but it left an indelible mark. His story may be personal, but it will mean something to anyone who understands what it means to love your club, who dreams of wearing its shirt, and whose heart has soared and sunk in the stands.

With the help of the Manchester author and playwright John Ludden, Nick tells his story with warmth, humanity and verve, bringing his childhood, his all-too-short career, and the misadventures of its aftermath – and the memorable, occasionally disreputable, cast of characters that shaped them – vividly to life. From the great knights of the game Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson to coaching royalty like Eric Harrison and World Cup-winning player kings like Nobby Stiles, Nicky’s path brought him shoulder-to-shoulder with a host of names that would go on to become club legends – and in some cases, lifelong friends.