Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisBlood on the Crossbar: The Dictatorship's World Cup is the story of the most controversial football World Cup of all time. When Argentina both hosted and won the World Cup in 1978, just two years after the coup d'etat that ousted Isabel Per n, it was against the backdrop of a brutal military dictatorship in the country. Under the leadership of General Jorge Videla, up to 30,000 citizens, categorised as subversives, 'disappeared'. Dogged by allegations of bribery, coercion and football's first failed drugs test, this is the story of Argentina's maiden World Cup triumph and the controversy that simmered behind it. This isn't exclusively a tale of footballers and generals, and the risks they took to succeed. It's a story of the people: Argentinean exiles, Parisian students, brave journalists, the marching mothers of Plaza de Mayo and their missing children - and Dutch stand-up comedians leading international boycotts from thousands of miles away.

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Book SynopsisLeague One Leeds is the story of Leeds United's three seasons spent in the third tier of English football. An illustrious club who had never fallen so low, their journey through League One would become the most chaotic period in Leeds's history and the drama started before a ball was kicked. An unprecedented 15-point deduction that plunged the Whites from promotion favourites to relegation fodder set the tone, as the club's fortunes undulated wildly over the course of three bizarre seasons. Record-breaking winning runs, long barren spells, FA Cup defeats at Histon and Hereford, victory at Old Trafford - this is a football story that twists and turns all the way through to a hair-raising finale. The book is written through the eyes of the author and features exclusive insight from Simon Grayson, Jermaine Beckford, Jonny Howson, Bradley Johnson, David Prutton, Casper Ankergren and Luciano Becchio, whose first-hand experiences are interwoven with his own. The result: a riveting account of a fascinating period in Leeds United's history.Trade Review"Rocco is as good as it gets as regards bottling the emotions of what it is like to be a football fan. He expounds the essence of the Elland Road vibe and his skills as a writer are aplenty. This book highlights the wonders and warts of a club." * World of Words *"League One Leeds takes us through those strange, three League One seasons which epitomised the passion and loyalty of Leeds fans." -- Gary Edwards * Leeds United author *"What a read!" -- Jermaine Beckford * Former Leeds United striker *

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Book SynopsisA football season ticket is one hell of a commitment! It's okay if you're guaranteed a good time - sexy football and three points a la Manchester City - but supporting a club of West Ham's stature is a marriage of convenience. In Fortune's Always Hiding, Paul Brand takes us through the Hammers' recent history, with a fan's-eye view that reads like 'The Secret Diary of a West Ham Fan Aged 403/4'. Chronicling a turbulent few years, from the final days at Upton Park to a European semi-final, this captivating account will resonate with anyone whose happiness is unwisely invested in the fortunes of their favourite team. Taking in fit and proper owners, the Leicester fairy tale, VAR, corporate greed, Covid lockdowns and the Three Lions renaissance (which has similarly teased success without delivering), this book is a must for Hammers devotees and anyone else who finds themselves disillusioned with the modern game but in too deep to ever give it up.

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Book SynopsisWhen Dave Went Up is the fairy-tale story of Wimbledon's famous 1988 FA Cup win over Liverpool, and how a small team overcame the giants of English football. More than just a recollection of the final itself, the book takes us through the tournament round by round, from the third round to the semi-final, and everything in between. We all know that Lawrie Sanchez got the winning goal, but did you know he was in the wrong place for the free kick? The story shows what great team spirit and sheer hard work can achieve. With tales from the key players in the side, the staff, the fans, plus some of the opposition, this is the definitive account of how Wimbledon FC won the FA Cup. Along the way you'll discover how the Dons fell in love with the competition, with background info on their run in the 1974/75 season, when Dickie Guy become a household name overnight after saving a penalty against Leeds United. If you don't know about the Dons' connection with the famous old cup, you certainly will after reading this fascinating book.Trade Review"Gary Jordan has put together another excellent football book… Jordan, who edits the Wimbledon matchday programme, has done it again! Rating: 9/10." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"When Dave Went Up looks not just at the final but the whole cup run which saw The Dons make it to Wembley thanks to wins over West Bromwich Albion, Mansfield Town, Newcastle United, Watford and Luton Town, a run where they found the net 13 times. The book also looks back on Wimbledon’s history in the world’s oldest cup competition with focus on the famous 1974/75 run by the then-Southern League team who succumbed by a solitary goal in a fourth round replay against the mighty Leeds United. When Dave Went Up is a must for any Wimbledon fan, a group who have seen their side suffer any number of problems since those heady days, and also for anyone who loves a good underdog story (and who doesn’t?)." * Read the League *"One of the book's strengths is its ability to transport readers to the vibrant atmosphere of the matches. The author's detailed descriptions of key moments, heart-stopping goals, and the electrifying atmosphere of Wembley Stadium during the final make the readers feel as if they are right there, witnessing history unfold before their eyes... When Dave Went Up is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of Wimbledon and their remarkable FA Cup triumph. It showcases the power of determination, and the enduring belief in one's abilities. Even if readers are not familiar with the team or the era, the book's universal themes and the sheer excitement of the story will captivate and inspire them." * The Football Library *"It's a book that has been lovingly put together and the end result is something that Dons fans, and neutrals too, can really enjoy… What I particularly enjoyed were the stories of some of the key players in that Dons side – Beasant, Sanchez, Clive Goodyear and Terry Gibson. There are plenty of anecdotes and tales that will raise a smile. Rating: 9 out of 10." -- John Lyons * Late Tackle *

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Book SynopsisTurncoat is the light-hearted story of one disillusioned Arsenal fan’s quest to find a new team while rediscovering the simple joys of watching football. From sneaking out of bed to see Michael Thomas’s winner against Liverpool, to holding a season ticket for 16 years, Matt Coughlan was a dedicated Arsenal fan. Then came the move to a new ground, kick-off times always being shunted around and the goalposts being moved when billionaires injected vast sums into rival teams, so the height of ambition became finishing fourth. He became disillusioned with the modern game and drifted away from it, but he missed being part of the conversation in the pub and correcting friends on points of trivia. He started to watch non-league football and searched for a new team to follow. On his journey, Matt rediscovers a love for the sport, gets into club boardrooms, talks with officials, finds out about community-owned clubs, learns about some historic old clubs and watches a mixed bag of football. But does he find a new team to support?Trade Review"Books on the life of a nonleague fan are rare... For any others fans disillusioned with the never-ending greed at the top of the game Matt’s search for something more down-to -earth is to be praised." -- Cadhain's blog"He describes the matches he goes to and the people he meets along the way in an entertaining style... it’s fair to say the book may give other fans food for thought." -- John Lyons * Late Tackle *"Part memoir, part ethical inquiry, Coughlan's book explores provocative questions about loyalty, identity, and what following a club truly means…Coughlan writes in an introspective, self-aware style inviting both agreement and critique. For any football supporter, it poses thoughtful questions about balancing tradition and one's own ethical code." -- Matt Riley * Goodreads *

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Book SynopsisBrave Enough Not to Quit is the extraordinary and moving story of Millie Farrow, a footballer who has battled major injuries and mental-health problems in pursuit of her career. Millie dreamt of being a footballer from a young age and signed her first professional contract at 19. She has played for top clubs in England and America, but the road to realising her girlhood dream has not been a smooth one. Four major injuries in her teens and early 20s threatened to derail her career, alongside her battles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. But Millie was brave enough not to quit. She remains determined to succeed and wants to use her experiences to help others overcome their own setbacks. In Brave Enough Not to Quit, Millie speaks from the heart about her mental-health issues and injuries, while her friends, England stars Fran Kirby and Emile Heskey, share their experiences in highly personal interviews with Millie. This is an inspirational story of fighting back from rock bottom and finding strength in adversity.

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Book SynopsisInside the Hermit Kingdom charts the history of Albanian football from 1945 to 1991, when the country was ruled by modern Europe''s most brutal and oppressive regime. The book features a chronology of Albanian football history interspersed with iconic games that shaped the nation''s favourite sport. It details the matchday experience in Stalinist Albania, tells the story of a league footballer during the regime years and charts the growth of street football in Hoxhaist Tirana.You''ll read about the demise of ''The Party'' and Stalinism in Albania and the effects their disintegration had on football, peering beyond 1991 into a future riddled with conflict, uncertainty and, oddly, hope.The era is brought to life by the accounts of Albanians who lived through it, which capture the importance of football to a populace starved of any other source of communal enjoyment. The otherworldliness and innate cruelty of the Stalinist regime provide a terrifying

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Book Synopsis1978: The Birth of Moneyed Modern Football is the tumultuous yet captivating story of when new clashed with old, madness gave way to genius and innovation collided with custom. Maverick stars, trailblazers, famed managers, legendary sides, apocalyptic showdowns and developments that changed the fabric of the game all feature.

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Book SynopsisJoin football writer Chris Lee on a journey of discovery around Ireland to learn about one of the world's oldest soccer cultures. Along the way, Chris talks to fans, historians and academics. He uncovers a complex story of politics, identity and division, but also one of hope, reconciliation and glory.

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Book SynopsisNights in Gold Satin tells the fascinating story of the floodlit friendlies', the groundbreaking series of matches hosted by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1950s. Victories over Moscow Spartak and Honvéd saw Wolves hailed champions of the world', and out of the debate that followed the European Cup was born.

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Book SynopsisWorst Game Ever explores the rock-bottom moments in the histories of 19 disparate football clubs, with stories rich in colour and context that rarely have a happy ending, but which every fan can relate to. This gripping book serves as a reminder that football, for most fans, is a perpetual vortex of abject disappointment.

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Book SynopsisRuling the Roost: The Managers of Sheffield Wednesday explores the tenure of every manager of this famous football club, turning the spotlight on each man's record and achievements. A statistical breakdown of each manager's time in charge complements the narrative to provide a rounded picture of their tenure.

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Book SynopsisRed, White and True is the roller-coaster story of Scott Nisbet, tracing his life from its origins in one of the roughest areas in Edinburgh to his emergence as a Rangers cult hero before injury cut short his career at age 25. Nisbet has fought and won battles on and off the park throughout his life. This is his explosive story.

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Book SynopsisHot Shot Tottenham guides you expertly through the transformative 1980s, both on and off the pitch, for Spurs and English football. Read a season-by-season guide that covers all the key matches, players and events that shaped a dramatic decade, with exclusive player interviews and first-hand accounts from those who were there.

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Book SynopsisArsenal's on-field success has been well documented. But what has never been written before is the equally remarkable history of Arsenal's rebels, both on and off the pitch. Spanning almost 120 years, and set against a backdrop of turbulent social and political change, Rebels for the Cause assesses the legacy and impact of Arsenal's most controversial players, officials and matches. From hard men like '30s player Wilf Copping to the reformed wild ones of recent years such as Tony Adams, Jon Spurling highlights the infamous figures whose refusal to conform has made them terrace legends. Mavericks such as '80s star Charlie Nicholas and the 'King of Highbury' Charlie George are here, as are '70s lads Alan Hudson and Malcolm Macdonald. The book also focuses on the club's revolutionary founding fathers, David Danskin and Jack Humble, the terrifying '20s 'soccer Tsar' Sir Henry Norris and David Dein's controversial introduction of free-market economics to Highbury in the regressive '80s. Also investigated are the stories behind Arsenal's most infamous tabloid exposés. Featuring extensive interviews with 15 former players, Rebels for the Cause is an indispensable guide to the alternative history of Arsenal Football Club, shedding new light on the origins of the rivalry with Tottenham, on many of Highbury's cult heroes and on the struggle of several players to adapt to life outside the game.Trade ReviewFascinating . . . reveals the story of the club's darker side * Shoot Monthly *Essential reading for all true Arsenal fans * Highbury High *A detailed, thought-provoking and informative study * Programme Monthly *

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Book SynopsisWhen Arrigo Sacchi's Milan destroyed Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in the 1989 European Cup final, everything changed. With the world-class talents like Ruud Gullit, Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, they threw off the shackles of Italian football's defensive traditions. This is the story of one of football's greatest-ever teams.

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Book Synopsis***SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH'S 2021 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS - INTERNATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR'One of the best football books I've read for a very long time.' - Sam Pilger, FourFourTwo Magazine'An extraordinary, granular depiction of a young football star's life.' - The Daily Mail'An excellent read with some incredible stories.' - TalkSPORT Breakfast ShowKnown as 'Lord Bendtner' to his fans and haters alike, Nicklas Bendtner has been lauded for his football skills at super clubs like Arsenal and Juventus. But his career has been haunted by his rocky behaviour and tendency to self-sabotage.In this disarmingly honest memoir, Bendtner talks about the darker side of football and his own difficult fall from grace; about what it's like to have so much promise that you lose touch with reality altogether.It's is about growing up in a working-class neighbourhood and fighting to reach the top in the worlds' toughest league. It's about friendship, rivalry, and the constant quest for an adrenaline kick. It's about money and what happens when you give a troubled, overconfident teen millions to spend. It's about an industry that has lost sight of what really matters.A modern footballing fable, it's a story of decline, temper, talent, great football and ultimately the tragedy of unfulfilled potential.Not since the days of Paul McGrath's Back From The Brink have we seen such honesty on the page of a footballer's memoir. Fans of Paul Merson, George Best and Tony Adam's autobiographies will also find pure fascination here in a story that has gripped international readers...Trade ReviewBendtner's [autobiography] exposes all others as mere child's play... I don't think any other football book I've read, at least not in a long while, comes anywhere near close to Bendtner's scrutiny... If it's an unflinchingly honest behind-the-scenes insight into football and all of its trappings you want, this is the book for you. * Jade Craddock *

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Book Synopsis'EIGHT YEARS WITH RANGERS, MORE THAN 300 GAMES, INCREDIBLE HIGHS, PAINFUL LOWS – AND IT ALL CAME DOWN TO ONE NIGHT IN THE NOU CAMP' 24 May 1972. The biggest night in the history of Rangers. Having overcome the might of Italian giants Torino and Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich en route to the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup, Dynamo Moscow stood between the Light Blues and the trophy. The stage was set in Barcelona for an unsung hero: Dave Smith. Creator of two of the goals on the night and arguably man of the match. In a rollercoaster career, Smith joined the Ibrox club from Aberdeen in 1966 for a record fee. He tasted defeat in the 1967 European Cup Winners’ Cup final and had his career blighted by two horrific leg breaks during a period in which he also experienced the tragedy of the Ibrox disaster. But by 1972 Smith was a lynchpin of Willie Waddell’s team. Playing as sweeper, he dicated the tempo of games with his vision and pinpoint passing. The star of the Nou Camp victory was voted Player of the Year in Scotland to cap the most memorable of seasons. He departed Rangers in 1974, making a shock switch to Arbroath after a fallout with new Ibrox manager Jock Wallace, before going on to star overseas in South Africa and then alongside George Best for the LA Aztecs in America. Rejecting the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain, Smith chose to end his career in Scotland’s lower leagues as player-manager at Berwick Rangers where he would find success and happiness playing the game the way it was meant to be played.Trade Review'The Road to Barcelona is beautifully written and full of warmth' * The Times *'An excellent new autobiography.' * The Herald *'Barcelona Bear Dave Smith lived the dream every time he wore the shirt for the club he loved' * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWalter Smith was one of the most respected managers in British football. This insightful biography casts a reflective and analytical eye over his life and career, examining this shrewd professional through the many highs and lows that he has experienced as a player and manager. He enjoyed an illustrious career in management at Rangers, joining the Souness revolution in 1987, winning nine successive league titles, a domestic treble in the 1992-93 season and winning both the Scottish Cup and League Cup three times. In 1998, Smith accepted a position in England with Everton, where he was the manager until 2002, before being reunited with Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2004. In December of that year, Smith was appointed as Scotland manager and his effort subsequently earned him the title of 'Scot of the Year' at the prestigious Glenfiddich 'Spirit of Scotland' awards in 2006. Midway through the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008, however, and with the Scots leading their group, he controversially accepted an offer to return to Ibrox in January 2007. Upon returning to Glasgow, Smith led Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final and triumph in the Scottish Cup in 2008, a domestic League and Cup double in 2009 and another double - this time in the domestic League and League Cup - in 2010. He retired from management in 2011 and died in October 2021.Trade Review'Walter had football running through his veins. What he achieved was remarkable andI have huge respect for him' -- Sir Alex Ferguson'A timely and sympathetic portrait of the boss' * BBC Sportsound *

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Book SynopsisThis book contains 50 rondo-based football training practices for soccer coaches, taking the coach on a journey through the training methodology from basic to complex.

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Book Synopsis'I Feel Fine' is a beautifully produced official book, a must-buy for every Reds fan wanting to revel in the colour, culture and pride of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool FC.

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Book SynopsisCelebrated as the greatest soccer player in the history of the game, Lionel Messi's record-breaking career is a story of unprecedented goals and glory. The Inter Miami and Argentina superstar's remarkable achievements have made him one of the world's most famous athletes and a player who is always synonymous with entertainment, style and passion.

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Book SynopsisStrength Training for Soccer will help you create a soccer-specific resistance training program to help athletes at each position—goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards—develop strength and power that will prepare them for the demands of a game.Trade Review“In Strength Training for Soccer, leaders in the field lay out a revolutionary holistic blueprint for mastering soccer-specific strength training year-round. Strength Training for Soccer is a must-have tool for every soccer strength coach’s toolbox!”—Kelly Dormandy, MEd, CSCS, USAW1, PN1, Director of Sports Performance for University of Georgia Women’s Soccer“Strength Training for Soccer provides scientific evidence and practical ways to test, develop, and improve strength—a fundamental aspect of athletic performance—to meet the demands of the sport."—Carwyn Sharp, PhD, CSCS, Head of Human Performance for AS Roma in Italy“Strength Training for Soccer helps to reveal fundamental and key concepts that any strength coach, performance coach, or sport scientist should have a deep understanding of at all times. Gaining practical insight from professionals who are working with players and teams at the highest level is invaluable to all those working in our profession.”—Adam C. Parr, MS, CSCS, Performance Specialist for Charlotte FC and Sport Scientist for U.S. SoccerTable of ContentsForeword by Tim Howard Introduction by Bob BradleyPart I. Principles of Sport-Specific Resistance TrainingChapter 1. Importance of Resistance TrainingGarga Caserta and William E. AmonetteChapter 2. Analysis of the Sport and Sport PositionsScott PiriChapter 3. Testing Protocols and Athlete AssessmentErnie Rimer and Jo ClubbChapter 4. Sport-Specific Program Design GuidelinesMegan Young, Garga Caserta, and Matt HowleyPart II. Exercise TechniqueChapter 5. Total Body Exercise TechniqueScott Caulfield and Bryan MannChapter 6. Lower Body Exercise TechniqueScott Caulfield and Bryan MannChapter 7. Upper Body Exercise TechniqueIan JeffreysChapter 8. Anatomical Core Exercise TechniqueCat Wade and Kevin CroninPart III. Program Design Guidelines and Sample ProgramsChapter 9. Off-Season ProgrammingJulia Eyre and Ivi CasagrandeChapter 10. Preseason ProgrammingDaniel Guzman and Joey HartyChapter 11. In-Season ProgrammingMelissa Terry and Matt HowleyChapter 12. Postseason ProgrammingRyan Alexander

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Book SynopsisLos Leones: The Unique Story of Athletic Club Bilbao is the first English language book that tells the incredible story of the unique Basque club. Founded in 1898 by British migrant workers and Basque students, Athletic Club grew to become the most successful team in Spain. Along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Los Leones have never been relegated, despite their self-imposed Basque-only transfer policy, a philosophy that causes intrigue across the footballing world. In an age of globalisation and astronomical transfer fees, Athletic stand apart. The complicated politics of the Basque Country and its strained relationship with Spain fuel the fierce sense of identity, passion and pride that Bilbaínos and Basques possess. The San Mamés stadium, or La Catedral, outshines even the Guggenheim Museum as the most important landmark in this one-club city. Exclusive interviews with former legends, prominent journalists and Athleticzales, provide the historical, political and social context of what makes Athletic so special.

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Book SynopsisBefore Pep Guardiola and before Jose Mourinho, there was Bela Guttmann: the first superstar football coach, and the man who paved the way for the celebrated coaches of the modern age. He was also a Holocaust survivor. In 1944, much of Europe had wanted Guttmann dead. He hid for months in an attic near Budapest as thousands of fellow Jews in the neighbourhood were dragged off to be murdered. Later, he escaped from a slave labour camp before a planned deportation and almost certain death. His father, sister and wider family were murdered. But by 1961, as coach of Benfica, he had lifted Europe's greatest sporting prize, the European Cup, a feat he repeated the following year. This biography spans two contrasting visions of Europe: one of barbarism and genocide, and one of beauty, wonder and romance, of balmy evenings in magnificent cities, where great players would stretch every sinew in a bid to win football's holy grail. With dark forces rising once again in that continent, the story of Bela Guttmann's life asks the question: which vision will triumph in our times?

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Book SynopsisEngulfed tells the incredible story of how a ruthless, absolute monarchy used sport to cover up its many crimes whilst at the same time buying off an easily persuaded and equally as culpable class of politicians and businesspeople in the west.This is a story about ambition, family rivalries, extreme wealth, power, murder and disinformation; of political corruption, dictatorship and, at its root, of how sport - football, yes, but also golf, boxing, tennis and even e-sports - has become a vital geopolitical tool for Saudi Arabia. An examination of soft power, manipulation and radicalisation in the 21st century, James Montague charts the rise of Mohammed bin Salman, a then unknown prince, and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi; the desperate efforts to buy Newcastle United, subvert FIFA and then take on the PGA tour, and the US congress.In forensic detail, Engulfed uncovers how the House of Saud zeroed in on the political power of sport to save itself from the PR damage caused by one of the most infamous assassinations in history. It examines how they have bet on sports, and especially footballs, extreme polarisation, using it to radicalise whole cities and fanbases, and subvert democratic institutions for faraway political ends. Its the story of a plot to use sport to wash away the stains of a crime and how a compliant west was easily bought, and sold, in the process.

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Book SynopsisWhat is talent? How do you get the best out of yourself? What are the secrets of leadership?In Edge, Ben Lyttleton gets unprecedented access to some of the world's top football clubs to discover their innovative methods for developing talent and reveals how we can use them in our everyday lives. Elite teams now look for an edge by improving the intangible skills of their players above the shoulder'. Liverpool's approach to talent will make you more creative. Chelsea's culture will improve your resilience. Didier Deschamps will improve your leadership skills. Xavi Hernandez will help you make better decisions. But how?Football is the most hot-housed, intense, financially profitable talent factory on the planet. It's time we woke up to the lessons it can provide.We all want to have an edge. This is your chance to find oneTrade Review‘I devoured this. Lyttleton's journey to the fringes of sporting thought, greedily absorbing innovations as he goes, translates into a pacy, thought-provoking work that reveals just how nuanced sporting – and indeed business – success is in the modern world. The insight into born leaders such as Didier Deschamps, who flex their style rather than their authority, is compelling, as too are the regular reminders of the capacity for old-fashioned qualities such as cohesion and resilience to trump skill and potential. Are enough businesses playing the equivalent of head-up football with their talent and resources? They may start to after reading this.’ – Duncan Craig, Sunday Times ‘A fascinating look at the approaches of some of European football's most impressive clubs – as well as some overachieving underdogs. Lyttleton eschews tired clichés, and instead challenges the consensus to present a fascinating insight into the intricacies of running a modern football club’ – Michael Cox, author of The Mixer ‘The most captivating football book I have read. The detailed insight from the game's biggest names is fascinating and each chapter left me feeling inspired and motivated.’ Dean Jones, Bleacher Report ‘Remarkable access to some of the biggest names in football – a tour of the game’s new thinking, written up with great fluency.’ – Simon Kuper, Contributor, Financial Times ‘Full of fascinating ideas – this book make will make you think!’ – Wim Jonk, Cruyff Football ‘A fascinating read … Inspiring for anyone who wants to learn how to be successful.' – Marcus Christenson, The Guardian 'Anyone looking to improve themselves as well as others should read this book.’ – Alex Inglethorpe, Liverpool FC Academy Director ‘If you want to be a coach, manager or successful company director, you should read Edge as it’s inspiring and will give you tips from those who have done it' – Petr Cech

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Book SynopsisThe Worst-Run Club in the Country is the definitive story of Farhad Moshiri''s six and a half years as the majority shareholder of Everton Football Club.From the moment of his February 2016 arrival, the British-Iranian billionaire set about trying to rouse one of English football''s perennial sleeping giants. No expense was spared in arming managers with substantial transfer budgets while he also sought to right the wrongs of the club''s endless quest for a new stadium to replace their spiritual yet outdated Goodison Park home.But Moshiri''s grand designs unravelled as quickly as they had begun. On and off the pitch, the Toffees soon descended into chaos, with their long-standing Premier League status in repeated jeopardy, the club hit with a record ten-point deduction and division sown within the fanbase by Moshiri''s appointed hierarchy. All this led Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher to declare his boyhood heroes to be ''the worst-run club in the country''.

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Book SynopsisThe World Cup 2018 saw a record 66 goals scored from set-piece situations (42% of the 155 total goals scored), a remarkable and emphatic statement regarding the influence of set-pieces on the modern game. Yet very little, if any, attention is paid to the influence of set-pieces in coaching literature, coaching courses, or symposiums. The Ultimate Book of Soccer Set-Pieces is the most comprehensive examination of set-piece planning on both the attacking and defending sides of the ball. It carefully and thoroughly examines the potential of all manner of restarts in soccer, from throw-ins to corner kicks and free kicks. From simple organizational considerations to complex plays featuring many variations, this book is the tool coaches at every level need to prepare their teams to win the set-piece battle.

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Book SynopsisThe Working Hands of a Goddess is the story of how Atalanta BC rose from the lower reaches of Serie A to become Champions League quarter-finalists in just four years. The appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as manager in 2016 changed the club's fortunes forever. Quickly making his mark, he developed a squad that play one of Europe's most scintillating brands of football, and upset the status quo by going toe-to-toe with the giants of the Italian game. The Working Hands of a Goddess analyses and details the tactics and systems that underpin this thrilling team, the stories and backgrounds of the unique players that define it, and the culture and history that not only produced a beautiful football team but a special club and city-wide community. When the pandemic rocked the community, Atalanta became far more than just a football team by uniting a city in strife.

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Book SynopsisIn his latest book, bestselling author Cass Pennant takes an engaging and unparalleled look at some of the most volatile and violent scenes of fans following their football clubs to have unfolded over the past five decades, and examines the lengths to which many will go to put one over their local rivals.Here is history that also examines everything from the changing face of football violence, to who gets involved - and why. It looks, too, at how the' firms' operate, both home and away, and at the effects of the football establishment's often counter-productive attempts to contain hooliganism on the psychology of supporters. Has the war on hooliganism been successfully stamped out? Can it ever be won? This remarkable and informative book gives a frank examination of football violence to show how different inter-club and inter-regional rivalries have evolved - and features many first-hand accounts of incidents that make chilling reading. It builds up to provide the most comprehensive look behind the match-day madness and the activities of some of British football's most notorious hooligans, to give answers as to why these games are so important to supporters. The history of such infamous 'firms' as the ICF, the Bushwackers, the Headhunters, and the Red Army has never been fully documented . . . until now.You're Going Home in a F*cking Ambulance is an eye-opening study of a problem that refuses to go away, by a writer who knows his subject inside-out.

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Book SynopsisPoolies at Heart is a deeply personal and richly varied celebration of Hartlepool United told by players, managers and fans.Looking back across the decades, the book reveals the realities of life at the lower end of football's spectrum at one of the north-east's oldest clubs. Inside you'll discover: Exclusive insider insight from the likes of former managers Danny Wilson, Kevin Phillips and Ronnie Moore, Peter Taylor's daughter Wendy Dickinson, plus Hartlepool United legend Brian Honour The inside story of how Brian Clough came to manage Hartlepool The euphoria surrounding promotion the season after relegation, as remembered by Wilson An epic FA Cup tie against Sir Matt Busby's Manchester United, which Hartlepool almost won Phillips's account of his tenure as manager, interviewed just one week before he was sacked The Egyptian international who turned out for the Pool in the 1920s Insights on how John McGovern was first spotted by Peter Taylor, and given his Hartlepool debut as a teenager Fan memories of the ups and downs of this unique club across the decades In every account, through every high and low, a love of the club shines through. Featuring recollections of favourite moments, memorable games and a plethora of personalities, this is the ultimate celebration of the Pools.

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Book SynopsisPortsmouth's 6.57 crew were the most talked about casual football firm of the 1980s and 1990s. This notorious gang took their name from the time of the train they caught to games, following their team around the country with the kind of dedication - and violence - that only a true hoolifan knows. Now, for the first time ever, the amazing story of the firm is revealed.

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Book SynopsisBoth Newcastle United and Sunderland provide the English game with some of the finest ever line-ups and most celebrated players in football''s history, as well as arguably the country''s most passionate supporters. Pioneers of the North is a comprehensive account of how football developed and took a grip on the very life and soul of the region, on Tyneside in particular but also in Northumberland as well as neighbouring County Durham. Related in detail is the social and sporting background, the origins of football and its growth from Berwick in the north to Darlington and Middlesbrough in the south. Other significant clubs which took a non-league route in development are examined notably Shankhouse Black Watch as well as forgotten pioneer teams such as Rendel and Elswick Leather Works

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Book Synopsis'Access inside the changing room and behind the scenes that any journalist or writer would kill for - Perarnau's insights are astonishing' - Graham Hunter 'Write about everything you see. Be as critical as you like' - Pep Guardiola to Marti Perarnau, summer 2013 Marti Perarnau was given total access to Bayern Munich during season 2013-14. This book represents the first time in the modern era that a writer has got this close to one of the elite teams of world football. At the invitation of Pep Guardiola, he shadowed the Catalan, his staff and his superstar players during training and on matchdays. Bayern smashed domestic records on their way to the double, but were humiliated by Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. Perarnau was with them every step of the way. Perarnau is with Guardiola as he is courted by the world's greatest clubs during his sabbatical in New York. We hear Guardiola explain in detail the radical tactical moves which transform Bayern's season and reprogramme the players who will win the World Cup with Germany.Perarnau talks exclusively and in fascinating detail with players such as Arjen Robben, Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Thiago Alcantara and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Pep Confidential is much more than the story of a season - it is also a lasting portrait of one of the greatest coaches in sport. Trade Review 'Extraordinary' -- Hugh MacDonald * Herald *'enthralling stuff' * Irish Examiner *'One of the most influential sports books to be written in years' * Scotland Now *'One of the most influential sports books to be written in years' * Scotland Now *'a fine insight into the strains of management . . . one for the students of the game' * Observer *'This book should be compulsory reading for potential employers and opponents alike' * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisKit and Community digs beneath the surface of inspirational and meaningful designs to reveal the incredible causes that use football shirts to spread their message.Starting with Stanno''s Shirt, we meet Gig and Roger, the parents of Exeter City legend Adam Stansfield, who was cut down by cancer at the heartbreaking age of 31. Gig and Roger share how their son''s shirts meant, and still mean, so much to them.Then there''s York City photographers Kieran Archer, Chris Payne and Tom Poole, who designed the club''s stunning centenary shirt, celebrating the city''s heritage of chocolate making, illustrated by outstanding images. The trio describe every step of the design process. Plus, in a joyously inspirational interview, Tania and Jayme from Football Shirts FC (for charity) discuss their mission to use shirts to support cancer charities close to their hearts.As these and other accounts in this innovative book show us - every shirt has a unique stor

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Book SynopsisMartin O'Neill began his career in Northern Ireland, winning the Irish Cup with Distillery. He then joined Nottingham Forest, playing under the legendary Brian Clough, with whom he won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. O'Neill went on to play for Norwich City, Manchester City and Notts County. He represented Northern Ireland sixty-four times and captained the side at the 1982 World Cup.O'Neill moved into management and took the helm at Grantham Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Norwich City, Leicester City, Celtic, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. He guided Leicester City back to the Premier League and twice won the League Cup. He led Celtic to seven trophies and to the 2003 UEFA Cup final. And his stint in charge of Aston Villa saw them achieve three consecutive top six Premier League finishes and reach the 2010 League Cup final.He became Republic of Ireland manager in 2013 and beat reigning world champions Germany in the process of qualifying for thTrade ReviewEntertaining . . . An extraordinary career * Guardian *Every word of it is his . . . full of vim. Not to mention tales of conflict * Daily Telegraph *Brilliant . . . an entertaining read filled with fascinating stories, biting humour and searing honesty * The Belfast Telegraph *This fascinating biography does not disappoint * Choice *You'll never get your head out of this . . . The stories are fantastic -- John Motson, legendary football commentator

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Book SynopsisStrength, speed and dedication: Cristiano Ronaldo is known throughout the world as a colossus of the modern game.But did you know that he underwent laser heart surgery aged just fifteen to enable him to continue playing the game he loved?Or that Nacional, his first professional club, donated twenty balls and two sets of kits to his youth team in order to sign him?Or how he came to be known as abelhinha -'little bee'- a name he would later pass on to his Yorkshire Terrier?Find out all this and more in Luca Caioli's biography of the global superstar, featuring exclusive insights from those who know him best and even the man himself.

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