Alive and Kicking
A Story of Crime, Addiction and Redemption in Glasgow's Gangland
David Bryce(Author)
Mainstream Publishing
Published on 27. October 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-84018-989-6 (ISBN)
Description
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 realise 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. Gordon Brown, then a young MP, was so impressed that he wrote an article for The Observer which led to a TV film starring Lenny Henry and Robbie Coltrane. In the '90s, Ewan McGregor, Irvine Welsh and the Trainspotting crew sought Bryce's advice and friendship during the making of the internationally acclaimed cult film, while Robbie Williams begged to switch nationality and play for Calton Atheltic in an 'England v. Scotland' celebrity charity match.
Bryce's uncompromising belief that the only way to come off drugs is to go cold turkey and stay completely clean saw him clash with government agencies over the 'harm-reduction' policy of recent years. The club's statutory funding was withdrawn in 1998, but today Calton Athletic are still providing an invaluable lifeline while the 'official' drugs policy has become increasingly discredited.
Alive and Kicking is an inspirational tale of survival and success against the odds.
A respected 'hard man', Bryce worked his way through most of HM's prisons in Scotland before an epiphany in 1977 made him realise 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. Gordon Brown, then a young MP, was so impressed that he wrote an article for The Observer which led to a TV film starring Lenny Henry and Robbie Coltrane. In the '90s, Ewan McGregor, Irvine Welsh and the Trainspotting crew sought Bryce's advice and friendship during the making of the internationally acclaimed cult film, while Robbie Williams begged to switch nationality and play for Calton Atheltic in an 'England v. Scotland' celebrity charity match.
Bryce's uncompromising belief that the only way to come off drugs is to go cold turkey and stay completely clean saw him clash with government agencies over the 'harm-reduction' policy of recent years. The club's statutory funding was withdrawn in 1998, but today Calton Athletic are still providing an invaluable lifeline while the 'official' drugs policy has become increasingly discredited.
Alive and Kicking is an inspirational tale of survival and success against the odds.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Transworld Publishers Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
1 x 8pp colour and b/w
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
362 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84018-989-6 (9781840189896)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2011
1st Edition
Mainstream Digital
€14.99
Available for download
Person
David Bryce was born in the East End of Glasgow in 1949 and continued to live there until his death in February 2011.
Simon Pia is a renowned and respected journalist who has written for most of the major Scottish and London papers over the last two decades on current affairs, sport and the arts. He currently presents Talk Radio's Drive Time show.
Simon Pia is a renowned and respected journalist who has written for most of the major Scottish and London papers over the last two decades on current affairs, sport and the arts. He currently presents Talk Radio's Drive Time show.