Alive and Kicking A Story of Crime, Addiction and Redemption in Glasgow's Gangland

by Bryce, David; Pia, Simon; Welsh, Irvine

• ISBN13: 9781840189896
• ISBN10: 1840189894
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-01
• Publisher: Mainstream Publishing

Summary

From running with the infamous Calton Tongs to running Calton Athletic, David Bryce's life story is a remarkable account of crime, violence, alcoholism, and drug addiction in Glasgow's gangland. A respected "hard man," Bryce worked his way through most of HM's prisons in Scotland before an epiphany in 1977 made him realize that he was a hopeless alcoholic who needed help. A five-year battle followed, during which he sank into the abyss of heroin addiction before finally getting clean. In 1985, in an effort to help others who were struggling against substance abuse, Bryce set up Calton Athletic, a football team and social group made up solely of recovering drug addicts. Reformed gangster Jimmy Boyle was one of the first to have faith in Bryce and Calton Athletic, but the club eventually won widespread respect.Alive and Kickingis an inspirational tale of survival and success against the odds.

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(4)
Irvine Welsh
Take Me if You Can	13	(2)
East End Boy	15	(12)
Tongs Ya Bass	27	(16)
The Demon Drink	43	(4)
Gangland	47	(10)
Dead End	57	(4)
Junkie	61	(8)
Cold Turkey	69	(4)
Why Me, Lord?	73	(4)
Chasing the Dragon	77	(4)
Kick-Off	81	(6)
Cardross	87	(4)
East End, Dead End	91	(4)
Jimmy Boyle	95	(4)
Gordon, Lenny and Robbie	99	(4)
Italia '90	103	(4)
Opening Time	107	(2)
The Main Man	109	(4)
Tough Love	113	(6)
Lord Jamie	119	(4)
USA -- All the Way	123	(14)
The Robertson Trust	137	(6)
Euro '96	143	(6)
Trainspotting	149	(6)
Sad State of Affairs	155	(10)
Rest in Peace	165	(2)
London Calling	167	(4)
Trainspotting in Baillieston	171	(4)
Fallout	175	(6)
Vive la France!	181	(14)
Frankie Goes to Holyrood	195	(4)
Downing Street	199	(4)
Behind Bars	203	(4)
Blacklisted	207	(8)
Robbie Williams	215	(6)
Backstabbing	221	(10)
Shame and Blame	231	(16)
God Bless You All	247