STOKE City have been accused of snubbing former boss Lou Macari over a proposed book-signing session at the Britannia Stadium.

The publishers of his autobiography 'Football, My Life' say the club ignored repeated attempts to discuss the possibility of Macari making a personal appearance to promote his book.

Macari, twice manager of the club in the 1990s, is now having to meet the public at Waterstones bookshop in Hanley instead.

Aislene Casey, from Bantam Press, said: "The Britannia Stadium seemed the obvious place for a book signing and we expected some interest from Stoke City.

"I called the club on a number of occasions and explained who I was representing, but we never got any follow-up call back from them.

"It is very disappointing because you would have thought he would have had more support than this from his local football club.

"We never had any problems from any of the other clubs we have contacted.

"Waterstones were very keen to have him and so, in the end, we decided we would have to go there instead."

Macari himself has declined to comment on the issue.

The club do usually support book signings. In fact ex-favourite Denis Smith was signing copies of his autobiography at their city centre store in the Potteries Shopping Centre yesterday.

In his book, Macari talks with moving honesty about professional success and private torment during his long association with the Potteries.

Stoke, however, have stressed they are happy to accommodate Macari at an appropriate date on a Britannia match day.

"We would always welcome a Stoke legend such as Lou Macari," said Steve Buxton, head of public relations and media.

"We will be trying to get in touch with Lou directly to organise a signing, perhaps on Boxing Day against Manchester United as that would be appropriate, given his connection with both clubs."

MACARI will be signing copies of his autobiography at Waterstones in Hanley from noon on Sunday.