The tell-all autobiography of former Albion chairman Dick Knight has scaled the book charts – before appearing on the shelves.

Mad Man: From the Gutter to the Stars is published today but has been climbing the charts for days – peaking at number three in the football biographies because of advanced sales.

Yesterday the honorary president’s exposè on the club he helped raise from the ground ranked number 33 in the specialist chart section.

Pre-orders for the book already point towards it being a hit, and it comes as no surprise to publishers Vision Sports Publishing.

Toby Trotman, the publishers’ commercial director, said: “We are extremely excited about the launch of Dick's book.

“We know it’s going to cause a stir in Brighton, but the story of how he saved the club and led the fight for the new stadium is one that will resonate with all football supporters no matter who they follow.

“Advance sales on Amazon have already been very strong; at one point last week Mad Man was the number three bestselling football book despite not yet being published, and knowing what’s in there we are certain it's going to be a big hit.”

The official launch takes place today and Mr Knight will tour Sussex over the next couple of weeks, meeting fans, reading extracts and signing copies of the book.

Mr Knight said: “I think there are some very interesting stories, hopefully, and some funny stories. I am pretty forthright on all the managers, hiring them, firing them.

“I hope people will find it an interesting read, revealing, insightful. They learn things about football they never knew before.

“They’ll have insights as well on things they thought they knew about. I hope they will know I did everything for the club.”

The Albion-based book is placed above some of football’s biggest names on Amazon, including Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, Craig Bellamy, Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mr Knight will visit Bhasvic in Hove, at 7pm tonight; Martlets Hall, Burgess Hill, at 7pm on Thursday; Connaught Theatre, Worthing, at 3pm on November 17; Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham, at 7pm on November 18; Pelham House hotel, Lewes, at 7pm, November 20; and Winter Gardens, Eastbourne at 7pm, November 28.