{"product_id":"the-man-who-bled-blue-mike-lyons","title":"The Man Who Bled Blue : The Triumphs and Tragedy of Mike Lyons","description":"\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: xx-large;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153);\"\u003eEverton’s Lionheart\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153);\"\u003eThe Triumphs and Tragedy of Mike Lyons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"justify\"\u003eMike Lyons' name is woven into the fabric of Everton Football Club. Born in Croxteth, Lyons grew up idolising his local heroes from the Goodison terraces, and his rise from supporter to captain is at the heart of Simon Hart’s book, \"The Man Who Bled Blue.\" The story captures Lyons’ relentless dedication to Everton, his fierce leadership, and the blue-collar spirit that defines the club’s history. \u003cbr\u003eHart explores the defining moments of Lyons’ career, from the unforgettable diving header against Norman Hunter to the infamous near-misses that shaped a generation of Evertonians. These include the agonising League Cup final trilogy, FA Cup semi-final defeats, and a title challenge that slipped away at the last hurdle. Through it all, Lyons embodied the values of courage, loyalty, and passion—qualities Everton fans cherish. \u003cbr\u003eBut Lyons’ influence stretched far beyond Goodison Park. The book follows his journey through English football with Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town, and as a coach in Brunei and Australia. His story is more than just about soccer; it’s about resilience, community, and the sacrifices made for the beautiful game. \u003cbr\u003eDrawing on personal connections and dozens of interviews, Hart paints an intimate portrait of a man whose generosity and bravery inspired teammates and supporters alike. \"The Man Who Bled Blue\" is a moving reflection on triumph, tragedy, and the unbreakable bond between a footballer and his club.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMike Lyons Update as of 12th August 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"\u003eMike Lyons, the Everton legend, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease a form of dementia a few years ago. His family shared that he is in the early stages and, as of the latest updates, he is still living life as fully as possible in Australia. Lyons’ daughter, Francesca, has spoken openly about the challenges he faces, noting both short-term and long-term memory loss, yet also highlighting his resilience and positive outlook The family and Lyons himself have been open about the diagnosis as part of a broader conversation around footballers and dementia, especially in connection to repeated heading of the ball and the toll of a long, physical career. Despite the diagnosis, Lyons remains in good spirits and continues to be supported by his family and the wider football community. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(218, 32, 42);\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 128, 0);\"\u003eToffeeopolis\u003c\/span\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mountvernonpublishing.com\/catalogue\/category\/Toffeeopolis\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eFascinating Selection of Books – A Must See! \u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePublished: August 21, 2026\u003cbr\u003ePrice: £19.99\u003cbr\u003eSoftcover: 362 pages\u003cbr\u003eISBN-13: \u003cspan\u003e978-1917064101\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: 15.6 x 2.51 x 23.39 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"PUBLISHED AUGUST 2026","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57273112265084,"sku":"FREE","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1060\/2756\/files\/The-Man-Who-Bled-Blue.png?v=1786524392","url":"https:\/\/www.soccerbooks.co.uk\/no\/products\/the-man-who-bled-blue-mike-lyons","provider":"SOCCER BOOKS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}