Three generations of the Summerbee family have played professional football - George in the 1930s was a struggling journeyman; Mike, in the 1960s starred for England and Manchester City - George Best was his best-man; and Nicky plays for Premiership side Sunderland. The author weaves together their family story, including the women closest to them, in an evocative account of how football and the players have changed since the 1930s, from living alongside the fans, earning similar amounts, to the modern heroes who are paid fortunes and hide away in exclusive developments.