Taming of a Villain

This is the story of Allen Langham, a former professional rugby league player with a promising future, who threw it all away on the path of drinks, drugs, and organised crime. Struggling with the legacy of a broken family and a troubled past, Allen soon fell into the arms of addiction, playing out his frustrations and anger within an arena of violence. In and out of prison, something had to change, and in 2013 Allen had a dramatic encounter with Jesus Christ and became a born-again Christian. This is the true story of a journey from darkness into light. It is testament to the power of God to change us and send us out as his servants as we take the good news and story of hope to those who need it the most.

 The same streets that Allen terrorised, he now serves, bringing a message of hope to those lost and struggling. He is the father of three children, founder and director of Steps To Freedom and is a sports chaplain for Sports Chaplaincy UK. In 2014 he won the Most Inspirational Individual at the CVS awards and has been recognised as an individual whose story captivates the hardest of hearts.

Originally published by Monarch Publishing house in 2019, Taming of a Villain- A Message of Hope, was a finalist in the Peoples Book Prize Awards, and a runner up for the Religious programme award of the Sanford St Martins Trust.

The revised and extended edition of Taming of a Villain was published by KDP in May 2024 and is available now in kindle and paperback formats.

About the author

“I was a little, lost, hurting boy, trapped in an eighteen-stone, steroid-filled, violent man’s body. I was broken… I was a mentally insane, chronically depressed, drug-addicted, drug-dealing failure. God… came into that cell and pulled me out of the darkness of shame, bitterness and pain. He poured his love into my heart. He healed my mind and set me free from the cycle of destruction, and equipped me to carry on with life… to be a father, to be respected, to live a normal life. To be a message of hope. I have many failings and I have got it wrong so many times, but if there is one thing I’m certain of, it is that God is real! He is alive and he loves you.”

  • One of the best books I’ve ever read! I read in less than 24 hours! Hitting rock bottom and being brutally honest throughout the book about yourself and how you got to your lowest point and how you picked yourself back up and living your life the best you can! Every day making further progress improving your lifestyle for you and your family! Truly inspirational Allen! A very emotional read

    LM

  • An excellent read,very honest account of how someone on the completely wrong path in life can turn things around. A very inspiring story of hitting rock bottom and picking yourself up and starting again with the intention of helping others. Would highly recommend this to anyone that likes true life stories

    Clarissa Jackson

  • An inspirational story of overcoming! Having found himself on the streets, addicted to drugs, a life of crime through poor choices he made in his life, Allen turned his life around in a dramatic way with the help of God. God is so good & faithful.

    Andy Kirk

  • Biff! This is a hard-hitting book by someone who has hit a lot of people. Hard. It is the autobiography of a professional rugby players’ decent into drugs, criminal activity and a lot of very bad stuff. If books carried a certificate like films, this would be an 18. The first half of the book is an uncomfortable and tragic read of crime after crime, beating after beating by a young man who himself has been the victim of heinous crimes and abuse. Bang! There is too much detail in some of the of the crimes for most readers. A lot of violence and a lot of very bad things are described in the first half. This book is not for those of sensitive disposition. Questions are raised about the police service, the judicial and education system and how criminals learn to be better criminals inside. Wallop! At last, after 144 pages of broken hands, broken faces, broken hearts and broken lives, this very bad man encounters Jesus in a powerful way. A transformation begins… falteringly. After a dramatic prayer meeting inside prison, the author is very honest and vulnerable about the joy and challenges of walking a new life in Christ. This takes time, as old thoughts, old habits, old friends, and an old life slowly dies. There is no question about his conversion but the rehabilitation of an ex-offender in church presents other challenges and questions. The sub-title of the book is “A Message of Hope”. Is it? Definitely

    Surrey Asa

  • Allen's story is both inspiring and honest. It tells the story of a tumultuous life of a man who found a path to redemption in discovering faith. But it doesn't end with Allen finding faith, even after this he discusses openly his struggles in finding his place, his desire to become a better man. But it's told in such a human way, this isn't a sinner turned to a saint story this is the story of man not afraid to lay bare his path of ups and downs finding his place in a new world while trying to come to terms with who he was, it was a pleasure to read. I recommend it to people no matter their faith, i think most people will find parts they can identify with

    Anthony Viles

  • Brilliant testimony of the abused then abusing and finding his purpose in life becoming a contributor to society. Written with honesty and transparency a very unique story of hurt, passion, revenge and redemption

    Deborah Parish

  • This is an incredible story and a compelling journey of someone who really proved you can turn your life around. Very graphic, but very honest. As an atheist I found that the latter chapters didn’t keep my interest - but that’s my personal choice. Great read and would highly recommend. I also have to add I met the author on summer holiday in Rhodes this year, a pure chance meeting and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Nice one Allen - keep up the good work

    David Barton

LOVE

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HOPE

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JESUS

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LOVE • HOPE • JESUS •