Former Pompey defender Eoin Hand on the release of his new book, First Hand

Former Pompey defender Eoin Hand, who made 277 appearances for the Blues across two spells between 1968-76 and 1978-79, speaks to iFollow about the release of his new autobiography, First Hand.

The full 'Life Stories' interview with Hand is now available exclusively on iFollow, absolutely free to both Basic and Premium subscribers.

The defender, who also played for the Republic of Ireland and subsequently managed both Huddersfield and the Irish national team, has an engaging and frank tale to tell.

His book includes the following highlights from his time at Fratton Park:
‘Sergeant Major’ manager George Smith’s tough and tender side
Posh public schoolboy-esque manager John Mortimore’s sense of humour failure
Ian St John’s unorthodox tactical improvisations
The booze and fags culture at Fratton Park in the 1970s
The time he feared for his life as an Irishman, as he lined up for Pompey

During his time in England, Hand befriended stars like George Best and Mike Summerbee, and also took his own personal stand against the apartheid regime in South Africa when playing there in the English summer.

Throw in the tale of the time he also threw a punch at West German legend Franz Beckenbauer and was beaten for simply having the temerity as a boy in 1950s’ Ireland to play the ‘foreign game’ of football and you get the picture.

This is not your common player story and all that only covers chapters one and two!

Hand’s autobiography is also available from all good bookshops or by mail order from The Collins Press, priced €19.99 or from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Hand-L....