Alive and Kicking

Alive and Kicking
ISBN-10
1840189894
ISBN-13
9781840189896
Series
Alive and Kicking
Category
Crime
Language
English
Published
2005-08
Publisher
Mainstream Publishing Company
Author
David Bryce

Description

From running with the infamous Calton Tongs to running Calton Athletic, David Bryce's life story is a remarkable account of crime, violence, alcoholism and drug addiction in Glasgow's gangland. A respected 'hard man', Bryce worked his way through most of HM's prisons in Scotland before an epiphany in 1977 made him realise that he was a hopeless alcoholic who needed help. A five-year battle followed, during which he sank into the abyss of heroin addiction before finally getting clean. In 1985, in an effort to help others who were struggling against substance abuse, Bryce set up Calton Athletic, a football team and social group made up solely of recovering drug addicts. Reformed gangster Jimmy Boyle was one of the first to have faith in Bryce and Calton Athletic, but the club eventually won widespread respect. Gordon Brown, then a young MP, was so impressed that he wrote an article for The Observer which led to a TV film starring Lenny Henry and Robbie Coltrane. In the '90s, Ewan McGregor, Irvine Welsh and the Trainspotting crew sought Bryce's advice and friendship during the making of the internationally acclaimed cult film, while Robbie Williams begged to switch nationality and play for Calton Atheltic in an 'England v. Scotland' celebrity charity match. Bryce's uncompromising belief that the only way to come off drugs is to go cold turkey and stay completely clean saw him clash with government agencies over the 'harm-reduction' policy of recent years. The club's statutory funding was withdrawn in 1998, but today Calton Athletic are still providing an invaluable lifeline while the 'official' drugs policy has become increasingly discredited. Alive and Kicking is an inspirational tale of survival and success against the odds.

Other editions

Similar books

  • Themes of the Times for Criminal Justice (Valuepack Item Only)
    By Pearson Education Staff, Allyn and Bacon Editorial Staff

    This collection of articles from the New York Times, all related to the study of criminal justice, can be packaged for free upon request with any Allyn & Bacon sociology text

  • Key Concepts in Crime and Society
    By Ross Coomber, Karen McElrath, John Scott

    ""--Dr Mark Monaghan, University of Leeds Key Concepts in Crime and Society offers an authoritative.

  • Key Concepts in Crime and Society
    By Ross Coomber, Karen McElrath, Joseph F. Donnermeyer

    Key Concepts in Crime and Society offers an authoritative introduction to key issues in the area of crime as it connects to society.

  • Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
    By Karen M. Hess, Henry M. Wrobleski

    ... 572 Austin , D. 290 С Cameron , B.W. 605 Camp , C.G. 547 Camp , G.M. 547 Campbell , A. 462 Campbell , D.P. 67 Caplan ... 498 Cope , L. 82 Couper , D.C. 278 , 297 , 298 Creamer , J.S. 110 , 355 , 363 , 375 , 379 , 380 , 381 Cressey ...

  • Foul Deeds Around Crewe
    By Peter Ollerhead, Susan Chambers

    Ducks and geese were also a popular target and Thomas and William Evans, boatmen, were charged with stealing three geese from Thomas Done of Cholmondeston a week before Christmas. They broke into the geese pen in the dark, ...

  • True Detectives: The Inside Stories of Today's Top Private Investigators
    By William Parkhurst

    I'm going to invite him to dinner . ” “ Go ahead , ” Phillips said . “ All he can say is no , right ? " “ Right . ” She walked across the room to where Evan Hughes stood sipping a Campari and soda , talking to a couple of friends .

  • The Authentic Wild West
    By James David Horan

    He first sent a list of thirty - one ' ' interrogatories ” to Governor Samuel Beach Axtell to answer and return within thirty days.29 Angel had skillfully prepared the questions based on the evidence he had collected , including a ...

  • The Gunfighters: The Authentic Wild West
    By James David Horan

    He first sent a list of thirty - one " interrogatories " to Governor Samuel Beach Axtell to answer and return within thirty days.29 Angel had skillfully prepared the questions based on the evidence he had collected , including a charge ...

  • The Story of the Outlaw: A Study of Western Desperado
    By Emerson Hough

    This volume includes biographies and narrative sketches that detail the lives and misdeeds of some of the most notorious desperadoes.

  • The Love Pirate and the Bandit's Son: Murder, Sin, and Scandal in the Shadow of Jesse James
    By Laura James

    Ragland called Gertrude Palmer to the witness stand . Mrs. Palmer described Zeo's fears of her brother Charles in great detail — the arguments , the new will , his furious response , how he had her beloved bulldog put down .