Out Of The Darkness: From Top to Rock Bottom is the gritty and hard-hitting autobiography of former Leicester and Sunderland winger Matt Piper.
He's the ex-England U21 hopeful whose dreams were shattered when injury forced him to retire at age 24, causing his life to spiral out of control.
After making history as the last-ever goalscorer at Filbert Street in 2002, Matt was forced into a £3.5m move to Wearside amid the Foxes’ financial misery.
But that high was short-lived and soon his dreams – and life – crumbled. After 16 operations, failed comebacks and anxiety attacks, he retired with money in his pocket but no clue where to turn next.
Soon, Matt’s daily existence became dependent on alcohol, cannabis and Valium; waking up in hospital with no idea why, with doctors suggesting he be sectioned.
Out Of The Darkness reveals another face of football – what happens next when dreams are smashed – and how to overcome life’s worst demons.
Matt’s frank and often difficult revelations are complemented by hilarious tales of dysfunction amid life at two of English football’s biggest clubs.
In his book he talks about scraps, japes and pranks: the hilarious inside stories of joy and dysfunction at Leicester City under Martin O'Neill, Peter Taylor.
He recalls his history-making moment with the Foxes – and the truth about what happened next.
And, he reveals the terrifying afternoon when all of the above so very nearly cost Matt his life.
Matt Piper has collaborated with Joe Brewin to tell his extraordinary life story. Joe is the deputy editor of FourFourTwo, which has specialised in telling football's greatest and most compelling tales the world over since 1994. Joe has appeared on BT Sport, BBC radio and talkSPORT, is a Leicester City fan, and was in the stands when Matt scored the historic final goal at Filbert Street in 2002.
Matt Piper's autobiography 'From Top to Rock Bottom' has been shortlisted for the WIlliam Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.
Updated March 9, 2021.
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