This new biography - the first for 30 years - provides a fascinating insight into the life of one of football's most celebrated players and personalities There's no denying that whatever Gary Lineker does is big news, whether it's fronting some of the UK's most-watched sports coverage or causing controversy on social media. With 8.9 million followers on Twitter, all eyes remain on Lineker. While he's better known as a TV personality and philanthropist nowadays, Lineker's football career marks him out as one of England's greatest-ever players. But he wasn't always destined for greatness. After helping his dad on his market as a youngster and being told he'd never make it by a school teacher, Lineker was a late bloomer, making his England debut at 24 and going on to play for a host of top clubs. Written by FourFourTwo journalist Chris Evans, this comprehensive look at Lineker's career - on and off the pitch - covers his early years in Leicester, his rise to fame at Leicester City and Everton, and his successful years at Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur. Gary Lineker: Portrait of a Football Icon looks at the phenomenal career of a sporting legend - one of England's deadliest strikers and one of the most respected sports figures today.

Chris Evans is a freelance writer whose work regularly appears in FourFourTwo magazine. He is also the editor of The Set Pieces.com. His work has appeared in The Guardian, Independent and Mail Online, and other nationals. @thesetpieces

Prologue

1. On the market (1960-68)
2. Early instincts (Aylestone Road, 1968-76)
3. City boy (Leicester City, 1976-81)
4. Big break (Leicester City, 1982-84)
5. The Call up (England, 1984
6. Moving On (Leicester City, 1984-85)
7. Goodison goals (Everton, 1985-86)
8. One Game in Mexico (England, 1986)
9. A Nou adventure (Barcelona, 1986-88)
10. Euro failure (England, 1988)
11. Catalonian cull (Barcelona, 1988-89)
12. A Return Home (Tottenham, 1989-90)
13. The Italian job (England, 1990)
14. White Hot Lane (Tottenham, 1990-91)
15. So long, farewell. (Tottenham, 1991-92)
16. Captaincy, records and fall outs (England, 1990-92)
17. A New Adventure (Nagoya Grampus Eight, 1992-94)
18. Star turn (1994-2000)
19. Standing Up (2000-ongoing)

Epilogue