Kevin Kilbane is Ireland's third most capped player of all time, with 110 appearances for his country, including an incredible 66 consecutive matches.

He played more than 600 matches at professional level, and in Ireland is nothing less than a folk hero. But things could have been very different. Kilbane grew up the hard way, enduring a tough Lancashire childhood with his Irish immigrant family. It was only his prowess on the pitch, and subsequent signing with his childhood club Preston North End, that gave him the opportunity to escape poverty. Kilbane has since built a formidable reputation as an honest, dedicated professional who always gave his very best. he became a firm favourite with fans at the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Wigan and Hull, as well, of course, as Ireland, before he retired in 2012.

Nowadays he is making a name for himself as a thoughtful analyst of the game on television and radio. But football is not the only passion in his life: as the parent of a daughter with Down's syndrome, he gives as much time and support as he can to the Down's Syndrome Association and Down's Syndrome Ireland, to which all the royalties from this book are being donated. Kilbane's autobiography is a genuinely inspiring story of a stalwart of the beautiful game.

Andy Merriman is the author of several books, includingGreasepaint and Cordite, the story of the young entertainers sent out to war to dance and sing, Margaret Rutherford: Dreadnought with Good Manners, Hattie, the authorised biography of Hattie Jacques, andA Minor Adjustment, a book about his daughter who has Downs syndrome. Andy, who writes for radio and television, lives in London with his wife and three children.

Kevin Kilbane is Ireland's most capped outfield footballer. He currently plays for Hull City in the Premier League.,