CHARLIE GEORGE'S £400,000 move to Saints from Derby County "led to Lawrie McMenemy being accused of blowing the club's money on a dud" according to the former Arsenal legend in a new book out this month.

"My transfer was a major gamble for Lawrie, but one he was prepared to take. The state of my knee worried the Southampton doctor who said: 'You daren't sign him - his knee isn't strong enough'," says George.

So began four weeks of talks before the transfer, for a record fee between two English clubs, was completed.

The knee injury persisted and George needed an operation before making his debut.

He says in his book: "An injury holding back your debut was the worst possible start with a new club. Things got better but my fitness was a big talking point among Saints fans and some even wore stickers claiming 'I saw Charlie George play'.

"I was happy to sign for Saints but it was to be a less successful move than I wanted. I enjoyed my football there - what there was of it: 52 matches and 14 goals from 1979 to 1981. I enjoyed working for Lawrie and his staff and I enjoyed living in Hampshire. The only blot on the landscape for me after leaving Derby was the injury I carried with me.

"Southampton's success was a tribute to the men who managed them. There was a time when I wouldn't have seriously thought about joining a club like that, but they had developed into a club that could attract good professionals."

In Charlie George, My Story, the former darling of Highbury, writes: "My life at present couldn't be happier. I work regularly at Arsenal and I'm loving it. It means I'm back home at Highbury, the place I would rather never have left."

"They have even asked for a lock of my hair to put in the time capsule now buried at the club's new Ashburton Grove stadium. That's an honour."

George left after a long-running feud with the manager, Bertie Mee, and he writes: "Bertie is the only aspect of Arsenal I look back on and remember with disappointment and, less occasionally these days, with rage.

"That is why I think I flourished under Dave Mackay at Derby and was equally happy to work with Lawrie Mac. They respected me for what I could do for them. Bertie often left me out and if you don't think your good enough, your existence within a club has no meaning.

"The nub of the problem was a clash of personalities. I think he saw me as an indisciplined youth, some sort of long-haired troublemaker with all the working class Londoner's bad habits."

Despite his background George and his family fell in love with Hampshire.

"We were townies they said who could never live in the country, but I enjoyed the rural life. We were part of a village (Hursley) with a couple of pubs. I ran my dogs and enjoyed our walks."

George and his wife and daughter eventually moved into a pub in New Milton but it was there his cherished marriage broke up and the one-time footballing idol ended up working in a friend's garage before finding his way back to his beloved Highbury to work the hospitality suites.

Charlie George, My Story is published in hardback by Century (£16.99).