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In pictures: 20 Premier League footballers recommend the books they love

Players including John O’Shea, Stephen Ward and Joey Barton are taking part in the National Literacy Trust’s initiative.

FOOTBALLERS AREN’T ALWAYS the most well-read people in the world.

A few years ago, their poor reputation when it comes to spelling and grammar was encapsulated by then-West Brom manager Gary Megson, amid of war of words involving his disillusioned striker Jason Roberts, with Megson memorably claiming:

“You are talking about a man who spelt his name wrong on his transfer request.”

However, the National Literacy Trust aims to disprove a notion that footballers and books simply don’t mix, with an initiative in which 20 Premier League players were asked to recommend some of their favourite books.

Check out their selections in the slideshow below and note that the choices were made with children in mind, so anyone expecting appearances from the likes of Joyce or Kafka will be sorely disappointed.

In pictures: 20 Premier League footballers recommend the books they love
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  • Theo Walcott

  • Barry Bannan

  • Ryan Nelsen

  • Stuart Holden

  • Josh McEachran

  • Tim Cahill

  • Mark Schwarzer

  • Charlie Adam

  • Owen Hargreaves

  • Chris Smalling

  • Mike Williamson

  • David Fox

  • Joey Barton

  • Carlo Nash

  • John O'Shea

  • Leon Britton

  • Niko Kranjcar

  • Paul Scharner

  • Chris Kirkland

  • Stephen Ward

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