Like most young boys, Malcolm Christie grew up dreaming of becoming a professional footballer. Rejected by his hometown club Peterborough United and working at Somerfield supermarket, playing amateur football at 19, Malcolm thought the moment had passed him by.

But dreams do come true. Just months after he was stacking shelves, Malcolm was playing for Derby County in the Premier League.

International honours and a big money move to Middlesbrough followed as Malcolm became one of English footballs brightest prospects until a succession of injuries led to a premature end of his promising football career.

The Reality of the Dream chronicles the amazing story of Malcolm Christie's journey to become the only person in history to go straight from non-league to scoring in the Premier League and representing his country without ever joining a professional academy.

Sad, funny and often emotional, Malcolm's unique tale provides a brutally honest insight into the reality of life as a footballer, an injured footballer and worse - a retired footballer.

Introduction by: Gareth Southgate
Foreword by: Steve Round, Steve McClaren