Alan Curbishley was born in the East End of London in 1957. His playing career spanned West Ham, Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Brighton and Charlton, and he represented England at schoolboy, youth and Under-21 level. He was appointed joint manager of Charlton in 1991 and was given sole control four years later. He was voted Manager of the Year in 2000 and established Charlton as a leading Premiership side, before leaving in 2006.
Kevin Brennan is a freelance sportswriter for the Mail on Sunday. He has known Alan Curbishley for 16 years, ever since he was Sports Editor on the South London Press.