Association football (Soccer) Books

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Book SynopsisA yearbook of Asian domestic and international football during the 2022-23 season. Includes full statistics of international matches played by the 48 Asian countries with player information and a final League table and Cup Final information for each country. This book also contains statistics for the AFC Champions League 2022 and AFC Cup 2022.

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Book SynopsisAs Liverpool Football Club's head of nutrition, Mona Nemmer ensures the champion players eat right and this fascinating book will inspire the next generation to follow. With a foreword by Jurgen Klopp, Mona takes us behind the scenes at Anfield and the training ground and details the favourite recipes of LFC.

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Book SynopsisA football session planner for delivering high-quality training sessions.

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'I knew nothing about football before knowing Cruyff.' – Pep GuardiolaJohan Cruyff is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. Throughout his playing career, he was synonymous with Total Football, a style of play in which every player could play in any position on the pitch. Today, his philosophy lives on in teams across Europe, from Barcelona to Bayern Munich and players from Lionel Messi to Cesc Fabrecas. My Turn tells the story of Cruyff's life starting at Ajax, where he won eight national titles and three European Cups before moving to Barcelona where he won La Liga in his first season, in 1973, and was named European Footballer of the Year. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, and led the Dutch national team to the final of the 1974 World Cup, famously losing to West Germany, and receiving the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament.Off the field his life was more turbulent, surviving a kidnapping attempt and bankruptcy. This honest and unflinching autobiography also explores his life after retirement, when he became a hugely successful manager of Ajax and then Barcelona when he won the Champions league with a young Pep Guardiola in his team. My Turn is the inspirational account of a legendary football hero, voted European Player of the Century, in his own words.In March 2016 Cruyff died after a short battle with lung cancer bringing world football to a standstill in an outpouring of emotions. A brilliant teacher and analyst of the game he love, My Turn is Johan Cruyff's legacy.

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Book SynopsisTHE BRILLIANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER.  ‘A searingly honest account of the Arsenal legend’s quest to recover from alcoholism. Unflinchingly brave.’ Sunday Mirror Being Addicted was only half the story, now comes the stunning new autobiography from Tony Adams, now appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.      Tony Adams was a charismatic figure on the football field, a true leader for Arsenal and England. He won league titles in three separate decades, and after the Gunners moved to their new stadium at the Emirates, it was fitting that a statue of him was erected outside to celebrate his extraordinary career. But, for much of that time, he was also drinking heavily and eventually admitted in his book Addicted that he was an alcoholic. Now, in that book’s stunning successor Sober, Adams reveals what happened nextTrade Review"Addicted was like his football style - honest, brave, inspired and unwavering. It gave me the inspiration to deal with my own issues; here was a man openly talking about his problems and embracing life’s challenges. Reading it had a huge influence on me and I can’t wait to get stuck into Sober, I’m sure it will give many strength, myself included. Bless you Tony." -- Robbie Williams

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Book SynopsisIn 2003-04, Arsenal overcame every conceivable challenge to complete a 38-game league without a single loss. It was a feat unequalled in modern football. But for Arsene Wenger''s ''Invincibles'', a team including legends Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, it was a challenge that went far beyond sport.Based on exclusive players interviews, this definitive book relives the pivotal games and moments, and allows the Invincibles to tell their own story. It takes readers inside the locker room, to reveal the teamwork, the psychology and the struggle behind one of the greatest teams in history.Trade ReviewDelightful . . . a football book that takes the team not the stars as its starting point -- David Goldblatt * Guardian *This book is so full of exclusive interviews you'll soon feel like part of the squad. A worthy tribute to one of English football's best ever teams, it makes you long for one more game at Highbury * Shortlist *Unbeatable insight. The inside story of one of English football's greatest teams -- Henry Winter * Daily Telegraph *Perceptive and well-wrought . . . Provides all-areas access to the inner workings and passions of a top club and a famous team -- Sunday Times, Books of the YearThe story of an amazing season wonderfully told through the eyes of the men who made it happen. I can't recommend it highly enough -- Andrew Mangan * Arseblog *Fascinating for any sports fan and truly a gold mine for Arsenal supporters * Alan Davies *A fascinating and engrossing read from start to finish. Provides wonderful insight and anecdotes as well as revealing the dynamics and determination from within the dressing room -- John Cross * Daily Mirror *I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Brilliantly depicts a piece of football history * David Dein, Arsenal Vice-Chairman (1983-2007) *This is research at its riveting best. My only complaint about the book is that it had to end -- Patrick Barclay, author of The Life and Times of Herbert ChapmanIf you were there in 71 and/or 2004, buy the book. If only now do you appreciate that we probably had four of the six best payers on the planet back then, buy the book and read their words. Let me make it simple. If you are an Arsenal supporter, buy the book -- GoonerholicThis is a book that contains some of the most evocative prose I have encountered in a book about football and without doubt solidifies Lawrence's place in the very top tier of sports writing in English. The story and characters are fascinating enough, but it is how they come to life and dance in Lawrence's writing that makes this book such a wonderful telling of an incredible tale * Huffington Post *Lawrence is a writer who will help the reader to appreciate the football on the pitch with an understanding of how the game is played few can match. At the same time she never fails to appreciate the passion that makes us fans * Morning Star *A gripping account of Arsenal's undefeated title winning season of 2003/4 -- Owen Gibson * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022Craig Bromfield was just 13 years old when Brian Clough, on a whim, took him and his older brother Aaron in.They came from Southwick, a depressed area of Sunderland, where they lived with their abusive stepfather, and from where they longed to escape. After initially meeting Clough while out begging for money, Clough later invited the brothers to stay at his house. From there a relationship formed which would see Craig living with the Cloughs for nine years, where he was a first-hand witness to the many aspects of Clough's character his gruffness, his humour, his big-heartedness.This is a beautiful, inspirational story, which has never before been told, about Clough's gentleness and capacity for generosity. Discover a very different side to this iconic man, one away from the cameras and the football, which shows him for the person he really was.Trade Review“One of the most incredible, emotional, feel-good stories you will ever read” – Daniel Taylor “Craig Bromfield’s love letter, and apology, to the great football manager is an unexpected and moving delight.” – Matt Dickinson, The Times Chief Sports Writer "It's rare to hear anything new about someone like Brian Clough, one of football's true giants. Rarer still that it can make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Quite simply, it's an amazing story." – Jeff Brown, BBC Look North “Be Good, Love Brian has got everything – love, friendship, laugh-out-loud comedy, football, and a heart-breaking betrayal. Craig Bromfield's feel-good story about Brian Clough's life changing generosity ends up something akin to a modern-day Shakespearian tragedy” – Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian “Gorgeously moving, hilariously funny and incredibly insightful. Craig Bromfield’s beautifully written book about his life with Brian Clough is one you’ll never forget as there are laughs, tears and life lessons. It also solved lots of Christmas present dilemmas as I bought ten copies.” – Julie McAffrey, Daily Mirror “The story is astonishing, the writing is wonderful. It is a story about Brian Clough, packed with detail never before shared and from a perspective never before explored. But more importantly, it is a story about Craig Bromfield. You are swept along on his journey, revelling in his joy, grieving in his pain. The emotional honesty of the account is disarming. It means you are there with him. You are inside the dressing room. You are willing him to do the right thing. And in those moments when he falters, life’s context brings empathy. Football fans should read it. But this is more than a football book.” – Adam Bate, Sky Sports

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Book SynopsisMeet the UK's most notorious football hooligans. Author Andrew Woods has come face-to-face with Millwall's most famous firm and now, for the first time, the Bushwackers reveal all about their bloodiest battles and fiercest rivalries - in their own words. But among the camaraderie, the battles of wits with the police and the exhilarating toe-to-toe run-ins with the opposition, this book also examines the history of hooliganism and why measures brought in to combat violence have failed. Packed with hilarious characters. shocking tales and plenty of excitement, no stone is left unturned in this journey into the dark side of football. With stories from the 1960s to the present day - including the infamous Luton riot of 1985, the 'Mad Season' of 2001/02 and the ongoing war with West Ham's ICF - No-one Likes Us, We Don't Care is the ultimate collection of tales from the terraces.

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Book SynopsisAlmost as soon as Gazza burst on to the scene at Newcastle United, the young Geordie was the centre of attention: Vinnie Jones''s notorious ball-handling showed the lengths people would go to try to stop him. Then, with England on the verge of possibly reaching the World Cup final in 1990, came Gazza''s tears - the moment that brought a whole new audience to the sport and helped set the football boom of the 1990s on its way. But then came a career-threatening injury, mental health problems, self-confessed alcoholism and family disputes, as life in the full glare of the media spotlight became too much. Now, at the end of his top-flight playing career, Gazza is ready to confront his demons. The result is quite simply the most remarkable footballing story you''ll ever read: what it''s like being Paul Gascoigne, in his own words.

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Book SynopsisMartin O’Neill is one of the most fascinating and respected figures in football. In On Days Like These, he tells the story of his remarkable career.'You'll never get your head out of this . . . The stories are fantastic' – John MotsonFor the first time, Martin O’Neill reflects on one of the most varied and successful football careers in the British Isles. With a journey spanning over fifty years, Martin dives into the exhilarating highs of trophies, promotion and World Cup fights – and the painful lows of fan confrontations, boardroom drama, relegation scraps and getting fired.Read fascinating stories from his journey as a player, his breakthrough with Distillery in Northern Ireland, to joining Brian Clough’s legendary Nottingham Forest team as it rose from the Second Division all the way to winning back-to-back European Cups.Go behind-the-scenes on his international career for Northern Ireland, Trade ReviewYou'll never get your head out of this . . . The stories are fantastic -- John Motson, legendary football commentatorBrilliant . . . an entertaining read filled with fascinating stories, biting humour and searing honesty * The Belfast Telegraph *Every word of it is his . . . full of vim. Not to mention tales of conflict * Telegraph *Entertaining . . . An extraordinary career * Guardian *This fascinating biography does not disappoint, revealing what life has been like at the highest level of the game for nearly 50 years, the exhilarating highs and devastating lows, the triumphs and disappointments * Choice *

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Book SynopsisThe story of Ipswich Town FC from 1960 to 1982 when the club rose from the lower leagues to become one of the leading clubs in the country, winning trophies under two iconic managers, Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson - an era all fans of the 'Tractor Boys' look back on with pride.

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Book SynopsisTest your football knowledge with over 300 funny and fascinating questions about the beautiful game.How much do you know about football – and the world? Test yourself and your friends with over 300 brain-busting questions from Football School. Discover questions on star strikers, crafty coaches, momentous matches and much, much more. Packed with hilarious cartoons and fascinating trivia, this spin-off from the bestselling series is the perfect way for fans to learn more about the beautiful game.Trade ReviewThis is a brilliant new edition quiz book for football fans everywhere. * The Strawberry Post *

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Book SynopsisGet inside the mind of football's most enigmatic icon‘Zidane is the master’ PeleOne of modern football’s most brilliant players - and one of its most iconic and mysterious figures - Zinedine Zidane’s football career is the stuff of legend. A World Cup-winner with France, he became the world's most expensive player in 2001 when he moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for £46million, where his exceptional talent earned him a reputation as one of the greatest players of all-time. His playing career concluded explosively when he retired after being sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. But his football career was far from over. After a spell coaching in Spain, he was appointed manager of Real Madrid in 2015 and immediately demonstrated that his skill as a manager matched his talent on the pitch, leading the team to successive Champions League victories and establishing him as one of the new managerial greats.Rarely speaking to the press, Zidane is known as a man who ‘speaks only with the ball’. In this definitive biography, Patrick Fort and Jean Philippe take us behind the scenes of his exceptional career, revealing the man behind the legend.Trade ReviewA book that becomes more and more interesting as the pages turn. * L'Equipe *The portrait of a sensitive and generous man. * Tele Magazine *

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Book SynopsisBlack and White Knight: How Sir Bobby Robson Made Newcastle United Again is a story of rebirth and redemption. Fractured, disillusioned and second bottom in the Premier League, the Magpies were heading one way under Ruud Gullit: down. The magic of Kevin Keegan's 'Entertainers' era was a distant memory, but in September 1999, Sir Bobby Robson, a son of County Durham, returned home and became a catalyst for change. Talisman Alan Shearer was smiling and scoring, and everyone was dreaming again. Three years later, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League, where they went toe-to-toe with the likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus, making history on an amazing journey and playing a brand of football full of energy, verve and attacking intent. A genius in man-management, Sir Bobby's experience and aura gave the club its soul back; Black and White Knight details how he mended divisions and massaged egos to make Newcastle everyone's second favourite team once again.

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Book SynopsisDo you think you know the laws of football better than the officials?Could you be the man in black and make the right decisions?The ultimate footie quiz book is back with 300 dilemmas for you to solve!*Test your knowledge of the game with You Are The Ref, featuring illustrations from legendary artist Paul Trevillion's famous series. With expert text from the referees' referee Keith Hackett and an array of bizarre and entertaining scenarios for you to adjudicate on, this is an engrossing and entertaining read. Includes a special in-depth section on the controversial rules around the VAR system and questions covering everything from mid-game bust-ups and unexpected intrusions on the pitch to bitter disputes about penalties, these sporting conundrums will give even the biggest football fan a run for their money.

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Book SynopsisThe Cornerstone Collection is the most comprehensive and innovative account of the history of the Premier League. It distils that history to 45 key players and examines it through the lens of every club that has ever played in the top flight since its inaugural season. It is a journey from front to back both in terms of eras and positions on the pitch. Football has all kinds of stories to tell, both on and off the field. Straightforward narratives of triumph or failure, milestone moments that were a lifetime in the making and everything in between. Each club have their own protagonists, every team a tale to tell. The people behind those events shaped the course of English football history and became forever etched in the minds of those watching. They are the foundation of what became modern football. Their stories tell us how far the game has gone and where it might be going. They are the cornerstones of the Premier League.

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Book SynopsisGoing to the Wire looks at a dozen teams, from the 1970s to the present day, whose survival came down to the season's final day. It captures the drama and the passion that comes when not only league survival, but jobs and even a club's very existence can be on the line.It's all here, as Tom Brogan looks at the drama of late, late goals, on those days when fans can spend more time with ears pressed to radios, or eyes glued to mobile phones, all for news from another ground! The passion, the shredded nerves, bitten fingernails, the absurdities of blatant time-wasting, fake news of goals' elsewhere and ultimately teams coming back from the dead.Relegation is all part of the game, but one that no fan wants their team to get dragged into, but great escapes can make heroes of the unlikeliest of players. Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Derby County and Coventry City are just a few of the clubs whose final-day e

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Book SynopsisSince 1921, Rochdale AFC had always competed in the English Football League. Their continued membership - albeit isolated to the bottom two tiers - was a badge of honour in the face of little on-field success. However, in May 2023, the unthinkable happened and Rochdale AFC were relegated out of the Football League for the first time in the club''s history.A nightmare scenario for most football fans, author Chris Fitzgerald decided to embrace Rochdale''s newfound non-league status and planned out a season which would see his club compete against the likes of Dorking Wanderers, Ebbsfleet United and Solihull Moors; as well as some other traditional Football League names battling for a return to the ''92 club'', such as Chesterfield, Hartlepool United, and York City.Into the Unknown is the story of a club and its fans finding their feet in the uncharted territory of non-league football... and the colourful clubs and characters encountered along the

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Book SynopsisThis is the incredible story of Swindon Town's rise over a frenetic five-year period under manager Lou Macari. It's a tale of unprecedented success and unfortunate consequences, told by a long-term supporter and Macari himself, through exclusive personal interviews, 40 years after his momentous arrival at the County Ground.

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Book SynopsisHeading for Dementia is an unflinchingly honest exploration of dementia and football. Former Bolton, Burnley and Blackpool player Paul Fletcher examines the nature of dementia and the perils of heading a football for a living through a deeply personal insider account. It's a must-read for anyone who cares about the beautiful game.

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Book Synopsis''A great book'' JAMIE CARRAGHER ''Joyously discursive - as if Tristram Shandy has written a football book'' FRANK COTTRELL-BOYCE''Does anyone in this room think that I can do wonders? I''m a normal guy from the Black Forest . . . I am the normal one'' Jurgen Klopp, 9 October 2015Jürgen Klopp''s announcement in January 2024 that he was to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season would see an unprecedented outpouring of grief from his adopted city. The Anfield Wrap has followed Liverpool through nine remarkable years, ten cup finals, and eight trophies, and now the ''normal one'' is finally set to return to a normal life.But the story of Klopp and Liverpool is a special one. A city haunted by tragedy and economic hardship rapidly found itself reinvigorated and redrawn by one man''s philosophy, and an approach to life and football that was driven by joy, passion and inclusivity. Klopp''s arrival led n

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Book SynopsisTurning Points: Moments that Defined Football History dives into the archives to reveal some of the most important stories from the annals of the beautiful game. From the FA ban of women's football to Marc-Viven Foe's death and Frank Lampard's ghost goal', this book uncovers the moments that shaped the course of football history.

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Book SynopsisPacked with fun facts, career stats and lots of jokes, the Football Superstars series tells the story of South Korea's talisman and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min. The series is aimed at building a love of reading from a young age, especially among football-loving children who are reluctant readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Twentieth Anniversary Edition*WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR* Fever Pitch is Nick Hornby's million-copy-selling, award-winnning football classic'A spanking 7-0 away win of a football book. . . inventive, honest, funny, heroic, charming' IndependentFor many people watching football is mere entertainment, to some it's more like a ritual; but to others, its highs and lows provide a narrative to life itself. But, for Nick Hornby, his devotion to the game has provided one of few constants in a life where the meaningful things - like growing up, leaving home and forming relationships, both parental and romantic - have rarely been as simple or as uncomplicated as his love for Arsenal.'Hornby has put his finger on truths that have been unspoken for generations' Irish TimesBrimming with wit and honesty, Fever Pitch, catches perfectly what it really means to be a football fan - and in doinTrade ReviewFunny, wise and true -- Roddy Doyle

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Book SynopsisPut your Manchester United knowledge to the test with the ultimate quiz book for Red Devils' fans.Do you think you know it all about Manchester United? Could you name the colours the team originally played in? The most decorated player in the club’s history? Do you know which sides United have beaten most, and vice versa? Or which foreign countries have supplied the most United players?Whatever your area of interest or depth of knowledge, this expertly assembled quiz will have some testing questions for you. From the club’s earliest days right through to the Busby Babes, the glory years under Sir Alex Ferguson and beyond, Think You Know It All? Manchester United will challenge your knowledge of players, managers, records and more.Featuring an entertaining mix of questions and puzzles, this is the perfect test for new and veteran United fans alike. Proving you know it all about your club has never been such fun – or so tricky.

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Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*This is the remarkable story of a local lad who grew up in the shadow of Upton Park and became Mr West Ham': a one-club man who lived the dream.A modern footballing legend, Mark Noble is the embodiment of what it means to be a Hammer, pouring his heart and soul into the club he supported as a boy. Born and raised in Canning Town, Mark joined the West Ham youth squad in 2000 and made his senior-team debut aged just 17.Now, after over 20 years, with a wealth of memories and more than 500 appearances for his boyhood club under his belt, Mark finally looks back at his remarkable career, reflecting on his journey from boot boy to club captain, bossing the midfield, scoring pressure penalties and becoming an inspirational figurehead on and off the pitch.This is the story of a brilliant footballer, a genuine ambassador and a local legend. This is the unforgettable autobiography of Mark Noble.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Deep and intelligent…a portrait of football greatness.” — Arsène Wenger "A comprehensive primer into the entwined histories of the two titans and the commercial forces that have molded their careers and, by extension, the sport." — New York Times “While these two soaring greats are known for their transcendent wonder on the field, this rollicking narrative plunges into the complex backstories and entire ecosystems that propelled their colliding trajectories. With a pair of epic hero stories like The Last Dance or Homer’s Odyssey in cleats, this book traces the journey from aspirational prodigies to global commercial billboards, explaining how these two juggernauts and their rivalry shaped the most popular, and lucrative, era of the world’s most beloved sport.” — Roger Bennett, founder, Men in Blazers Media Network "This rigorously researched book avoids becoming hagiography. The result is an ambitious and valuable study for all those who want to understand the modern world of football that Mr. Messi and Mr. Ronaldo have helped forge." — The Economist “This book explains the brilliant backstory behind how each player became a start and how that stardom changed the footballing landscape not just in Spain but in the wider world as well…I read it in a day.” — Rebecca Lowe, NBC Sports "Excellent... A brilliant follow-up to The Club." — The Independent (UK) "Impressive." — Boston Globe An absorbing cautionary tale for soccer fans and students of sports finance alike. — Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR WINNER OF THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR Why does an international footballer with the world at his feet decide to take his own life? On 10 November 2009 the German national goalkeeper, Robert Enke, stepped in front of a passing train. He was thirty-two years old and a devoted husband and father. Enke had played for a string of Europe''s top clubs, including Barcelona and Jose Mourinho''s Benfica and was destined to become his country''s first choice in goal for years to come. But beneath the veneer of success, Enke battled with crippling depression. Award-winning writer Ronald Reng pieces together the puzzle of his friend''s life, shedding valuable light on the crushing pressures endured by professional sportsmen and on life at the top clubs. At its heart, Enke''s tragedy is a universal story of a man struggling against his demons.It should be on every British football fan''s reading list' MetroTrade ReviewOne of the most remarkable sports books ever written… A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke… stands as the definite work on mental illness in football -- Sam Wallace * Daily Telegraph *Incredible… It’s a stunning, fascinating and ultimately heartbreaking piece of work that has done so much to further the understanding between mental illness and sport. It is also a reminder that, for all the status and all the luxury which come with being a professional footballer, those lucky enough to make a career from the game are still human beings, too -- Tom Hopkinson * People *An intensely moving book that transcends football -- Raphael Honigstein, GuardianA tragic book, but a brilliant one. Reng's is one of the best sports books to have been published in years * Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung *This is a powerful book which transcends football. * Sport Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''There isn''t a funnier sports book this year - there might not be one for the next decade'' Irish Times Books of the Year_________The hilarious memoir from the funniest man in football!Roddy Collins is a football man - now in the sixth decade of a career as a player (at sixteen clubs), manager (twelve clubs) and commentator. And he is a funny man: an unequalled raconteur with a sharp eye for the absurdities of the professional game and spectacular recall. He has made friends wherever he has gone, along with some high-quality enemies. When John Delaney said he could get Roddy a job if he''d just stop criticising him, Roddy replied that he''d ''rather dig holes in the road''.Now, with the brilliant Paul Howard, Roddy puts it all down on paper for the first time - the adventures, the rows and the craic - in what is not only one of the funniest but also one of the most eye-opening books ever written about professional football.SHORTLISTED FOR SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS________''[It] might be the funniest book written since Roddy Doyle''s The Van . . . There''s a laugh on every page'' Irish Examiner''Terrific. You will love it'' Joe Brolly, Sunday Independent''Fantastic. Can''t remember a sports book with so many stories to propel it along. There''s at least three different movies in it'' Malachy Clerkin''Candid tales of football, family and everything in between - just brilliant'' Irish Independent''A riot!'' Brendan O''Connor''What a life, what a book. I highly recommend it'' Tadhg Coakley, Irish ExaminerTrade ReviewThere isn't a funnier sports book this year - there might not be one for the next decade * Irish Times Books of the Year *Terrific. You will love it. Raw and tender and wild and honest, it will captivate you . . . great stories pack the pages * Sunday Independent *A rollercoaster ride and a great read. It's hard not to love Roddy Collins after reading The Rodfather -- Tadhg Coakley * Irish Examiner *Excellent and hilarious * Second Captains *Hard to imagine there'll be a more entertaining sports book for quite a while * Irish Times *A riot! -- Brendan O'ConnorFascinating and hilarious. Starts with a bang and never falters. Anarchic and wonderful -- Joe BrollyFantastic. Can't remember a sports book with so many stories to propel it along. There's at least three different movies in it -- Malachy ClerkinCandid tales of football, family and everything in between - it's no surprise The Rodfather's memoir is just brilliant * Irish Independent *A big man, with big emotions, and a big life . . . a fascinating read * Sunday Independent *What a great book The Rodfather is. A walk on the wild side of football - and a few other games - terrifying and yet massively entertaining. Paul Howard is the best writer in the country -- Declan LynchReally fabulous * Pat Kenny Show *[The Rodfather] might be the funniest book written since Roddy Doyle's The Van . . . There's a laugh on every page * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisBorn in 1980, Steven Gerrard made his Liverpool début in November 1998 as a second-half substitute against Blackburn. His first start came against Tottenham Hotspur a week later. As well as his skilful tackling and brilliant passes, Gerrard is also capable of scoring spectacular goals. His strike against Manchester United during the 2000-01 Treble season was voted Liverpool's best ever Premiership goal. Gerrard gained his first England cap against Ukraine in 2000 and scored his first goal for his country in September 2001 with a magnificent strike from 25 yards in the 5-1 win over Germany.As well as collecting winner's medals in the League Cup (twice), FA Cup (twice), UEFA Cup, Champions League and the European Super Cup, Gerrard picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2001 and PFA Player of the Year for 2006.

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Book SynopsisPaul Canovilles story is one of extreme racist bigotry, shattering career-ending injury, a decline into drug abuse, battles against cancer, family tragedy and a determination to beat the odds. Canoville was Chelsea''s first black first-team player, making his debut in 1982. But as he warmed up on the touchline, his own supporters began chanting ''We don''t want the nigger!'' The racist bile continued whenever he played, but within a year he had won over the terraces with his explosive pace and skill. Canoville fell out with the Chelsea board and moved to Reading in 1986, where injury suddenly ended his career at the age of 24. This started a downward spiral including the death of his baby in his arms, two bouts of life-threatening lymph cancer, drug abuse and homelessness. But Canoville fought back. In this explosive and shocking story, Paul finally explains why, despite everything, he is more positive than ever and has remained a fervent Chelsea fan all his life. This is a story of hoTrade Review'one of the most powerful sports books ever written...an exceptional account of an extraordinary man' * Pat Nevin, Chelseafc.com *'unputdownable' * Observer *'a compelling read skilfully put together' * Mirror *'compelling' * Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisGeoff Shreeves is a giant of football. From reporting pitchside on the biggest matches to his iconic appearances in EA's FIFA series, Geoff's warmth, humour and expertise have made him a constant fixture of the sport. In Cheers Geoff! he shares hilarious, bizarre and moving stories from across his incredible career.With a foreward from Alan Shearer.A The Times Sports Books of the Year'Cracking read . . . loved it' - Piers Morgan'Packed with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names' - The MirrorThere are just a handful of people who have been ever-present for the thirty years of the Premier League, but only one person has been at the very epicentre for the entire period: Geoff Shreeves. From signalling the very first ball to be kicked on Sky’s Premier League coverage to facing down Sir Alex Ferguson’s wrath (on countless occasions), Geoff is an integral part of the Trade ReviewWhen it’s the showpiece game of the weekend and it’s on Sky Sports, you know Geoff will be there. No one handles the big moments better -- Jordan HendersonThe man who asks the questions now gives the answers -- Henry Winter, Chief Football Writer for The TimesA legend of television journalism -- Arsène WengerThroughout my career, Geoff is always there and always fair. As a player and a manager, you can’t ask for more than that -- Frank LampardGeoff has always been professional, honest and authentic in all the time we’ve worked together. He has a special way of connecting with his line of questioning -- Steven GerrardGood times. Bad times. Who is always there? Geoff is always there and he does his job perfectly -- José MourinhoPacked with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names * The Mirror *Cracking read by a brilliant reporter - loved it -- Piers MorganSometimes, all that is needed is a bit of fun, and for that you can turn to Cheers, Geoff, by Geoff Shreeves, who is generous with his anecdotes * The Times *

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Book Synopsis*** SHORTLISTED IN THE SPORTS WRITING CATEGORY AT THE 2024 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS ****** LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ****** ONE OF THE DAILY TELEGRAPH''S SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 ****** ONE OF THE TIMES'' SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 ***The remarkable inside story of how two Hollywood A-listers, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, stunned the football world by buying a non-league club in North Wales.''astute, lovingly detailed ... so entertaining ... so charming'' Victoria Segal, the Sunday Times''A superb account of a modern-day success story, told beautifully by one of the best writers in the business. This is one of the great football stories of recent years. No matter who you support, if you love football, you will love the story of Tinseltown.'' Daniel Taylor, The Athletic''This is a compelling, multi-layered, page t

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Book Synopsis''SPLENDID'' Daily Telegraph''THOUGHT-PROVOKING'' Independent on Sunday''INSATIABLE'' David Goldblatt''METICULOUS'' When Saturday Comes''SUPERB'' Readers DigestIn this first-ever cultural history of the ''loner'' between the posts, Jonathan Wilson traces the sometimes dangerous intellectual and literary preoccupations of the keeper, and looks at how the position has secured a certain existential cool. He travels to the Bassa region of Cameroon, which has produced two of Africa''s greatest keepers, and also to Romania to talk to Helmuth Duckadam, who saved four penalties for Steaua Bucharest in the 1986 European Cup final. His absorbing tactical and technical insights into football history even take us back to the days when matches were contested without a man between the sticks.THE OUTSIDER is the definitive account of the most mysterious of footballing personalities - thTrade ReviewA splendid history of football's complicated scapegoats * DAILY TELEGRAPH *In THE OUTSIDER, Jonathan Wilson offers an ebullient history of the goalkeeper and tries to work out what it is that attracts the spiritual, the quizzical, the odd and the reflective to the position ... Wilson offers a picture of the goalkeeper as an outsider, but also more of an everyman than you might think * INDEPENDENT *A splendid history of the goalkeeper, whose lot has tended to be a thankless one (just ask Joe Hart). Wilson tells tales of violence against goalies, both verbal and physical, along with the burden of psychic stress carried by these singular players * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *The ever-readable Wilson explores the psychological pressures of being cast in the role of the scapegoat ... Thought-provoking and full of interesting detail ... this book scores on every level * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *From the obese to the heroic and the corrupt, goalkeepers provide endless anecdotal material. Wilson weaves it together skilfully, from Victorian times to the present, from Charterhouse to Cameroon. The case for the position provoking a kind of existential unease is elegantly made * LITERARY REVIEW *From Albert Camus to John Paul II, and all points in between - a superb account of the men who wear different shirts and play be different rules from everybody else. * READERS DIGEST *From Albert Camus to John Paul II, and all points in between - a superb account of the men who wear different shirts and play be different rules from everybody else. * READERS DIGEST *A splendid history of the goalkeeper, whose lot has tended to be a thankless one (just ask Joe Hart). Wilson tells tales of violence against goalies, both verbal and physical, along with the burden of psychic stress carried by these singular players * THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisTHE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR The Sunday Times bestseller is 'brilliant, gripping, beautifully written, real,' says Jonathan Northcroft. So, you think you know Joey Barton. Think again. No Nonsense is a game-changing autobiography which will redefine the most fascinating figure in British football. It is the raw yet redemptive story of a man shaped by rejection and the consequences of his mistakes. He has represented England, and been a pivotal player for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Marseille, Burnley and Glasgow Rangers, but his career has featured recurring controversy. The low point of being sent to prison for assault in 2008 proved to be the catalyst for the re-evaluation of his life.   No Nonsense reflects Barton’s character – it is candid, challenging, entertaining and intelligent. He does not spareTrade Review'Barton's compelling autobiography...probes the dark undertow of his past' -- Donald McRae * Guardian *'The book is brilliant and in many ways as No Nonsense as the title claims' -- Matt Lawton * Daily Mail *'Frequently jaw-dropping' -- Matt Dickinson * The Times *'Brilliant, gripping, beautifully written, real' -- Jonathan Northcroft'Powerful story...It is superbly written...What makes Barton's book engaging is the candour with which he describes his personal crusade against the demons of violence in his nature and the revelation of inside track details' * Daily Express *‘…this tale of a council estate “scally” (his word) made good through grit, determination and the learning from setbacks is far more than a football book’ * The i *‘Book of revelations: No Nonsense is, to all intents and purposes, Joey Barton: The Director’s Cut. Unshackled from the limitations of Twitter’s 140 characters, expanded and coloured in with the help of an articulate ghost writer, Michael Calvin. Together they lay waste to the “superficial bollocks” of the modern game’ * When Saturday Comes *‘This is a terrific book, one of the best I’ve read. There aren’t many I’ve read and finished and thought damn I’ve finished. This is one of them’ * Sportnetwork.net *‘One of the most remarkable and candid sports books of the year’ -- Terry Staunton * When Saturday Comes *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE ‘The greatest story in English sport told beautifully by one of its greatest writers’ Gary Lineker 'A spellbinding piece of work' Oliver Holt 'Absolute tour de force' Henry WinterAward-winning writer Paul Hayward delivers a compelling and unmissable account of the story of the England men's football team, now updated in paperback.  On 30 November 1872, England took on Scotland at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow, a match that is regarded as the first international fixture. More than 5,000 fans watched the two sides play out a 0-0 draw. It was the first of more than a thousand games played by the side, and the beginning of a national love affair that unites the country in a way that few other events can match. In HaywardTrade Review‘The greatest story in English sport told beautifully by one of its greatest writers’ -- Gary Lineker'Going far beyond the familiar tales of triumph and turbulence, Paul Hayward brings wisdom, perspective, a refusal to settle for the conventional wisdom and an elegant pen to a story that tells us a great deal about football but even more about ourselves. England Football: The Biography is an instant classic that will be read for generations to come.' -- Richard Williams'Every bit as good as expected. Paul Hayward's definitive biography, critique - and search for answers - over 150 years of England. Woe, joy, misadventure, rebirth, more woe, but ultimately … hope. A great tale of Englishness and the team’s place in the national psyche.' -- Sam Wallace'Absolute tour de force by ?Paul Hayward on England's history: 150 years in 600 pages. Great insight and revealing interviews.' -- Henry Winter'This is, predictably, a spellbinding piece of work by ?Paul Hayward. I’ve seen someone else describe it as an instant classic and they’re right. It’s out soon and absolutely brilliantly written.' -- Oliver Holt'An incredible book, charting the history of the England national team down the years. My great pal and inspiration ??Paul Hayward has? written the definitive book England Football: The Biography. Can’t recommend it highly enough.' -- John Cross'This impeccably researched, superbly written book by Paul Hayward places the England team in the instructive context of 150 years of intermittent achievement. An outstanding piece of work.' -- Michael Calvin'A compelling, brilliantly researched history of the national side. Although the early sections are obviously distant in terms of time, they are nonetheless engrossing... Hayward offers a riveting analysis of the taciturn coach Alf Ramsey... Hayward’s superb book is a must for any true football fan.' -- Martin Chilton * Independent *

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Book Synopsis''A gripping account'' Sunday Times''We want to show to the world that we are alive. That we are strong. Not just us - the whole of Ukraine. We are continuing to play. We are continuing to win.'' Darijo SrnaShakhtar Donetsk have not played in their home stadium since 2014. Their matchdays now typically have no crowds, air raid sirens interrupt games and thoughts of and fears for family, friends and hometowns frontline troops loom large in the players'' minds ahead of every game. These are extraordinary times - but Shakhtar is an extraordinary club.Displaced when fighting first began in the Donbas region, and then again when Russia mounted a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this book honours a club - players, coaching staff, management - who choose to play on. In a time of chaos and conflict, they have become emblems of hope and unity. They are winning on the pitch, and winning hearts and minds across the world.FollTrade ReviewA gripping account * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisLIVERPOOL: THE STORY OF A FOOTBALL CLUB IN 101 LIVES tells the history of the Anfield club through the biographies of key individuals associated with the Merseysiders from their formation in the gas-lit days of Victorian Britain through to the present day. From John Houlding, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool who was the founder of the club in controversial circumstances, to their greatest manager Bill Shankly, and the great players who have worn the famous red shirt throughout its history, the in-depth stories of the characters - players and managers - here paint a fascinating picture of how the club - indeed, the game of football itself - has developed from workers playing for fun to today's multi-million-pound business.

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Book SynopsisFrom Pascal Gross's fantastic brace at Old Trafford and an unbelievable 5-2 victory over Leicester City, to a 6-0 demolition of Wolves, the 2022-23 campaign is quite possibly Brighton's best ever season. After a fantastic start to the Premier League campaign, Graham Potter left the Seagulls to join Chelsea leaving fans concerned. Enter Roberto De Zerbi. De Zerbi's first win came in a 4-1 thrashing of . . . that's right, Chelsea! Anyone who was at the AMEX that day will never forgot the incredible atmosphere produced by the Brighton faithful. Fast forward a few months and the Seagulls were walking out at Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final. A month later, Brighton had qualified for Europe for the first time in their 122-year history. Tony Noble, a lifelong Brighton fan and season ticket holder, has written The Seagulls Greatest Ever Season, a match-by match account of this amazing campaign. Written with passion, honesty and humour, Tony recalls Alexis Mac Allister's stellar performances during a year in which he became a World champion; Lewis Dunk's inspirational on-pitch leadership; Kauro Mitoma's wizardry down the left-hand side; the emergence of exciting young talent Evan Ferguson, and much more. The Seagulls Greatest Ever Season allows the reader to relive the games, the goals and the glory in what was - the greatest ever season.

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Book Synopsis‘I was never as proud to be part of a team as I was being part of that team.’ PAT JENNINGS By the end of the 1970s, the Northern Ireland football team was in the doldrums. Against a background of civil unrest, the team had endured long periods of playing all their games away from home and had just finished bottom of the British Championship for the fourth successive year. Two years later they walked onto the pitch against France to play for a place in the 1982 World Cup semi-finals. In Fields of Wonder, Evan Marshall charts Northern Ireland’s incredible World Cup journey in thrilling detail, from the appointment of Billy Bingham as manager and the winning of the British Home Championship in 1980 through the ups and downs of the qualifying stages, and that night of pulsating drama against Spain in Valencia. Based on interviews with manager Billy Bingham and with many of the players, including Pat Jennings, Martin O’Neill, Gerry Armstrong and Norman Whiteside, and told against the backdrop of the Troubles, this book vividly captures the struggles, spirit and magic of Northern Ireland’s 1982 World Cup campaign.Trade Review'Evan Marshall's new book captures the remarkable spirit of Billy Bingham’s fabled team of the early-80s' -- Darren Fullerton * BelfastLive *'I am old enough to remember names from the early days of the (GAWA) ‘Green and White Army’ through my childhood 1050’s and teenage 1060/70s and early adult life in the 1980s and beyond - Danny Blanchflower, Harry Gregg, George Best, Gerry Armstrong, Norman Whiteside, Sammy McIlroy, Pat Jennings to name just a few and of course manager Billy Bingham. Those nostalgic names and bygone days are captured perfectly in this detailed but easy to read book. It is a fitting testament to a team and outstanding players who shone and gave hope and entertainment on the pitch to many against the background of the dark days of our casually referred to ‘Troubles’. Players who showed that the sectarian divide could be forgotten and the spirit of believing that they could achieve success was all that mattered. And were proved right in that memorable wonderful world cup field of dreams in Spain in 1982. Even if you are not a seasoned football fan this is an enjoyable read complete with a series of photographs that I certainly enjoyed.' -- George Larmour * Amazon *

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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