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Sheffield Wednesday legend, known to many people as Zico, speaks about boozing, betting and brawling which is also the title of his book which is due to be released mid August 2008.

But why did he decide to write the book now?

“To be honest I had been asked about 20 years ago to write a book but the time just wasn’t right. I didn’t think I had done enough in football to write about it.

“It just felt right to do it now. I’ve said a lot in the book. I was truthful and it’s full of some great stories. A lot of time went by and I have kept my issues indoors and not aired them.

Wednesday v Manchester United in 1985.

“I’ve got somethings off my chest writing this book... It’s not just about football this and football that but it's about me.�

Mel was born in October 1961 on Sheffield Manor Estate, he was brought up with a large family who worked to make ends meet.

Mel’s career started at Sheffield Wednesday and he went onto play for Leeds United for four years and then went to Glasgow Rangers for a short period. He also played for his country, England in his career.

“I played with Terry Curran, Chris Turner, Andy McCulloch, Jeff Johnson, Roger Wilde – they were all real characters.

“Mick Picking (Defender for Sheffield Wednesday) was there for me when I lost my mum, he took me back to his house and he looked after me.

“Now in football, I just don’t think there are enough characters in the game, I don’t know why though. If you ever said a wrong word to any of them you’d get a clip round the ear and you appreciated that. My early years at the club were a learning curve and I was the apprentice and you knew that.�

The demise

When Mel Sterland was at the peak of his career aged 29, he suffered a serious ankle injury which brought the end to his successful career in football...

“In the book I talk about suicide. I didn’t know what to do apart from football, people say it’s a cowards way out but when your mind is in a mess and you don’t know what to do, it is just so difficult. Your head just spins around. I remember coming home and finding my training kit in a black bin liner, boots and everything and I just thought. This is it. It was sad.

“They were very difficult times for me and I just thought – that’s it I’m going to do something stupid. I nearly did it. It got to me. I was depressed and I went out somewhere and set myself up to kill myself.

“I’m sure my mum was watching over me and I heard her talk to me. She reminded me that I had a wife and two kids! She swore at me and told me to get a grip of myself and I just stopped and cried and thought about everything.

“I wanted to play football and that was it and I wanted to do the best by my mum and dad.

“It’s easy to say ‘move on and get on with it’ and I’ve been down the road and it’s difficult.�

Boozing

As the book is called 'Boozing, Betting and Brawling' Andy couldn't let him go without asking him about two of his weaknesses...

“I never drank up until I was 21 years old.

“When I went through parts of life that were tough I picked up the bottle. All of a sudden the drink took over. I’m not proud of it but it made me feel better at the time. Nowadays you don’t see that happen with footballers.�

Betting

“I’ll never forget about this guy from Barnsley when I was 16 years old. He asked me to go into the bookies and put a bet on with him. I put a £1 to win 10/1 and it won! I just thought this was easy, go into the bookies, put a bet on and get some money. You never see a skint bookmaker though. Same with the Casino, you think wow at first but I guarantee you, you get into it and think it’s nice and that’s it. You’ve got the taste.�

The best moment?

Mel describes his fondest moment in his career.

“I got into the first team at Sheffield Wednesday and Jack Charlton was the manager. I told my dad that I was going to see him and he said, 'don’t be frightened, be positive, you’re in the first team.' The easiest thing to say.

“When I went to see Jack all I heard was 'come in' I opened the door and Big Jack had a flat cap on, smoking a cigarette and reading the paper.

Mel Sterland in 2008.

'What does t’want'

“I just said, nervous sweating and I just didn’t believe that I was in a room with him and I said 'errrm well how about £250 a week boss!'

"He dropped his cigarette, cap fell off and choked.

'What about signing that or get out.' Well that his what he said to those words anyway, that I can repeat anyway!

“Believe it or not, I signed it. I couldn’t wait to get out of that office. My contract was £50 a week and £60 appearance money. It was in the when you didn’t have an agent, it was a real experience.�

Big Jack

Jack Charlton managed Sheffield Wednesday from 1977 to 1983 and was a strong character in the club, known for his language and for many other things…

“He was fantastic, I remember us having a practice match on the pitch. We had 12 players on the field and nobody daren’t say anything. I went up to him and pointed it out. Jack said calmly, 'It’s not a problem. John Pearson, get off the pitch.'

“He was just so good and he used to eff and blind. He was a funny man, he used to get our names wrong all the time but it didn’t matter what our names were. We had to get on with it, when he told you to do something, you did it!

“One day he was showing us how to do a free kick. He put the ball on the edge of the box and he bent it in the top corner. He didn’t have football boots on, he had Brogue shoes on. We all just looked at each other in amazement.�

Engeerrrland

Mel was known as Zico, in homage to the Brazilian footballer. He spent his career comfortably as an Attacking Right Back and then one day he got the call, or rather a letter…

“I got a letter, I’ve still got it. It’s superb. In the letter you also get a list of players who were in the squad with you.

“Bryan Robson, Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker, they were all in there. You just think ‘I’m playing for Sheffield Wednesday and now I’m playing for England and I’m from the Manor Estate.’

Mel Sterland Under 21 UEFA trophy.

“You meet up three days before and sit down and talk. It was nerve-wracking and frightening playing with all the big hitters and meeting up with them (Manchester United and the likes.)

“I believe if you play well for your club you should get a chance. It was because Howard Wilkinson was the manager and I believe he gave me the chance. I got injured a few times and it was difficult to be selected again. Gary Stephens replaced me. It was disappointing but I got on with it.�

:: Mel Sterland’s book ‘Boozing, Betting and Brawling’ will be released mid August 2008.