Player Profile - Alex

Name
Alex O'Donovan

Nickname(s)
"Ballack", "The Wizard", "Sick note", "Nason Steele", "Darren Anderton"

Age
Undisclosed (rumoured to be the oldest man in the squad... fans estimate him to be 31)

Favourite Food
Big bananas mashed up with Slimfast drink; Lamb's liver

Best Almaty Memory
Getting to first base with Tadhg at the Lionel Ritchie concert

Worst Almaty Memory
Not getting sent off last season... I'm getting soft in my old age

Motto in Life
"To boldly go where no man has gone before..."

Who is your sporting hero?
Ryan Giggs... some say I could have been as good as him except for the injuries :-(

What would your team mates say is your most annoying trait?
My devilishly good looks and all-round tan - the ladies can't resist me!!!

Most influential person on your Almaty career?
Kieran, ehhhhh, Luther, ehhhh Logan

What three words best describe you?
I am injured

What makes you laugh?
Teletubbies

Favourite Bum Chum?
Nige... it would have been Dawson until I discovered he was a Prod :-)

Worst fear
That the Rockmount lads find out that I'm playing with a team of Prods

Pet hates
Stone masons; anything blue; Scientology, Prods

Who would win a scrap between Captain Kirk and Captain Picard?
Don't make me take sides :-)

Almaty announce details of pre-season training camp

Now available from Amazon.com!!!!

In Will There Ever Be A Rainbow? Antony Spratt turns away from the political concerns that form the crux of his reputation and offers a series of thoughtful meditations upon his time as player-manager of Almaty Athletic. Sections include ruminations on the controversies of the modern team - such as the continued ban on outlandish goal celebrations and a railing discourse against those who persist in playing tag rugby during the football season. Truly, a powerful classic, full of deep thought and fresh insight.

Editorial Reviews

The Irish Times
"With the unwavering sense of dignity and worth . . .this man’s authenticity is earned by the life he describes."

Bishopstown Community Monthly
In this powerful book, [Spratt] shares his touchstones with us and makes us question what foundations guide our own lives.

New York Times Magazine
Revealing . . . Spratt invites us to re-examine his work and, through it, our history.

The Leisureworld Star-Ledger
Reflective, generous, humane . . . moving . . .[Spratt] writes with vivid emotion.

Evening Echo
Having already penned a book about his sporting life, legendary six-a-side footballer Antony Spratt tackles a greater subject--life itself--with this new spiritual autobiography.

Washington Post
Reading Will There Ever Be A Rainbow? is somewhat akin to having a worthwhile conversation with a revered older relative; he doesn’t always tell you what you want to hear, but you appreciate it just the same.

Time Magazine
An affecting new memoir from the runner-up in the online poll for Time Magazine Man of the Century.

C. Montgomery Burns

- Evil Billionaire

Excellent...

Except, you stole my idea!

Smithers, release the hounds...