SIR Trevor Brooking’s life in football has taken him to the Euro’s in Italy, the World Cup in Spain, to the dug-out at Upton Park and even up the famous Wembley steps to lift the FA Cup.

But last week, the West Ham United legend was back in Essex at Lakeside Shopping Centre signing his new book My Life In Football.

The Brentwood man, now 66, said: “It’s always good doing these sorts of things in Essex. We’ve got a good core of Hammers’ fans who stick with the team through thick and thin – mostly thin! But it means when we do do something here, it’s good.”

And good it was, as fans young and old queued through the new-look WH Smith store at the shopping centre to meet with the man himself.

He chatted to fans, had pictures taken with them and signed copies of his new book, his second autobiography, but first since 1981.

This latest memoir touches on the former midfielder’s time at West Ham but also looks at his life since, as the caretaker manager at West Ham in 2003 - which he describes as “quite an amusing little spell” at his time in broadcasting, on the sports council and at the FA, where – until as recently as August – he served for 10 years as Director of Football Development.

“The publishers pointed out that as the last book was in 1981, anyone that was 40 or younger would be too young to have even read it. I said, ok, you’ve made your point so we decided to bring out another one.”

But when it comes to a life in football, few have more tales to tell than Sir Trevor.

It’s no wonder why, with 47 caps and five goals for England and 528 appearances and 88 goals – including two in FA Cup finals – for West Ham.

And to this day he keeps a very close eye on proceedings, particularly at West Ham, “his club”, the side he played with for most of his career – winning two FA Cups. He’s also occupied a place on the board and in 2009 he had a stand at the Boleyn Ground named after him.

He’s been as impressed as anyone with how his beloved club has started this season. He’s keen, too, to see the side emulate the cup success he enjoyed during his 17-year career with the Irons.

“At the moment we’ve got as good a group of players as we’ve had for a few years,” he said. “I would like to think we’ll be top half of the table this year and if anything and get some points tucked away before the end of the year, then maybe we can have a good cup run – it’s been a while since we have.

“In every area, the team is much stronger. There’s more choice, the style of football is really good. The Liverpool game was probably the best i’ve seen there for a few years.”

But since retiring, Sir Trevor has played a big role in developing young players. Indeed, up until 2003, he held an annual soccer school at the Brentwood School. Since then, he has been Director of Football Development with the FA.

He met with youngsters, such as Oliver, 11, and Charlie, six, from Stifford Clays while signing copies of his books.

And when asked what advice he would give future generations of footballers, he said: “The big thing when they’re primary school age is working on basic skills, so that’s just being able to control the football. Once you reach 11-a-side, your technique will be put under more pressure, so practising control, knocking the ball against a wall, using both feet and stuff like that.

“For parents and coaches, don’t shout at players. Let them try things, make mistakes but get that technical confidence. Try and enjoy it and improve technically.”

During his time at the heart of English football, producing players that are better technically became an “obsession” for Sir Trevor. And he’s optimistic that 2020 could be the year England finally end their half-century-long trophy duck.

He said while there few positives to take from the World Cup, the big plus was that England’s young cohort of players spent a prolonged period together, which he said spawned better communication between the players.

Sir Trevor said: “The big plus for Roy is that this young group had five weeks together. You’d never get that other than in tournament. The players were interacting much better.

“This is a younger group that will get better. I think 2020 is the year, with hosting the semis and the final at Wembley. I think we’ll have good depth and be dangerous. If we can get to those games at Wembley, who knows what we could do.”

Now away from the England set up, Sir Trevor is busy promoting his book and continuing with broadcasting.