Association football (Soccer) Books

Book Synopsis'TERRIFIC' - Daily Mail'ONE OF THE UNDISPUTED GREATS' - Sun'ENGAGING, HONEST AND UNSENTIMENTAL . . . RIVETING' - David Walsh, The Sunday Times'Why me? How could a boy from a Copenhagen tower block say I want to be a champion with Manchester United and Denmark and make it happen?'Peter Schmeichel is a giant of football, who won more Premier League titles (five) than any player in his position and captained Manchester United in the incomparable, last-gasp Treble-clinching win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final. 'I don't believe a better goalkeeper played the game,' Sir Alex Ferguson said. One: My Autobiography is Schmeichel's story.In it, he takes us inside the remarkable, winning environment of a club that transformed football during the 1990s, and on to the pitch on that crazy, breathless night in Barcelona in 1999. From Ferguson's unique gifts to Eric Cantona's unique personality, he delivers a close-up and insightful portrait of United's golden era.However, One: My Autobiography goes way beyond the pitch.Schmeichel has an incredible family story to tell, starting with his father, Antoni, a brilliant Polish jazz musician who battled demons and for years kept a momentous secret from those around him. And he explores what he has been able to pass on to his own son, Kasper - himself a Premier League-winning goalkeeper and number one in the Danish national side.Peter's life after football, seldom straightforward, is described with astonishing candour. One: My Autobiography is about football, origins, journeys and legacy.Trade ReviewIt's comforting to know that one of the football heroes of my formative years is every bit the role model that I always thought him to be * On Magazine *One . . . is way beyond the glorified sporting diaries that crowd the shelves at this time of year . . . splendidly rendered * Irish Independent *Peter Schmeichel charts his exceptionally successful goalkeeping career alongside the remarkable story of his family * Irish Times’ Best Sport books of the year *The best autobiographies are always the ones written when the passing of time allows events to be considered and evaluated in proper perspective . . . Genuine candour runs through the story . . . A quite riveting story * Backpass Magazine *This is much more than the usual footballer's life story . . . It's warm, frank and conversational in tone . . . Terrific * Daily Mail, 2021's best books for sports fans *The story of one of the undisputed greats * Sun, Best Books for Christmas *A rollercoaster ride through the life of the Danish and Manchester United goalkeeper * Evening Standard, Memoirs of the Year *Engaging, honest and unsentimental . . . riveting * David Walsh, The Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis*OUT NOW*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Neville at his authentic best. [He] is the closest thing to a spokesman there is for English football.' Sunday Times 'Brilliant.' Mail on Sunday'Gary Neville usually talks a lot of sense, and writes it too . . . Neville's words are timely.' Henry Winter, The Times'The People's Game is [Gary's] call to mend football, harmed by the greed and selfishness of bigger clubs and associations.' Radio Times __________The beautiful game is under threat. The greed and selfishness of the biggest clubs is harming the sport, with smaller clubs struggling for financial survival and supporters being left behind.It's time to fix football. __________Football is the people's game. A sport accessible to everyone and enjoyed by millions around the world.But football is broken. Beneath the glamourous sheen of the Premier League, it's a game that's rusting and rotten. The growing influence and wealth of the biggest teams is harming the game, leaving fans out of pocket and smaller clubs clinging to survival. The European Super League, which looked to eradicate competition in favour of guaranteed profits, was just the beginning. This isn't what football is about. Something's got to change. Enough is enough. Gary Neville has had a front-row seat in football for over 30 years, witnessing the sport at every level - as a player, a coach, a pundit and an owner. Most of all, he's a fan. Shocked by the state of the game, Gary looks to find out how we got into this mess, who's responsible, and what we can do about it. The People's Game is Gary's vision for a brighter future. Drawing on interviews with those at the epicentre of the sport's biggest issues - from the role of ownership to the lack of funding in the football league, the rise in racism, ownership models and the future of the women's game - he explains how football has sleepwalked into this mess and offers a new path forward. With stories from his own playing career, as well as insight into some of the biggest footballing decisions in recent history, this is a total look at the game today. This is a passionate, personal and critical account of how football lost its soul, and what we can do to get it back. __________

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Book Synopsis'Meijer's portrait is definitive'iNews'Ten Hag may just be the man to bring the glory days back'Daily StarWho is Erik ten Hag? Calm and cool-headed, he ignores critics, follows his own methods and relentlessly pursues perfection on the pitch. His uncanny ability to analyse and solve problems - the 'process' as Ten Hag calls it - has unfailingly led to breakthrough. There is no magic. There is only intelligence at work, personal devotion to players and near-obsessive attention to detail.At Ajax, Ten Hag brooked no dissent and moulded his team into a smoothly operating unit of attack. His team enjoyed an astonishing run, winning three league cups in a row and reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a quarter of a century. Along the way, they produced some of the brightest and most entertaining football seen in Europe for years.Maarten Meijer's definitive biography follows Erik ten Hag, from his upbringing in the Dutch countryside to his domestic triumphs and European victories. Meijer's book is the ultimate guide to the man with the momentous task of ending a decade of disappointment at Manchester United, and beginning a new era of great and winning football.Trade ReviewMeijer's portrait is definitive * iNews *Erik ten Hag has the Midas touch * Daily Telegraph *Ten Hag's United are unstoppable * The Times *Ten Hag may just be the man to bring the glory days back * Daily Star *Part father figure and part tactical genius, Ten Hag is a perfect fit for United -- The Times

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Book SynopsisIN SOCCER parlance Hull City FC have constantly been classified as â??sleeping giantsâ?? because they have invariably flattered to deceive and failed to fulfil their potential. Every so often they have emerged from their slumber to go through highly-successful periods when they have proved to their solid fan base that they do have the makings of a big-city club. But more frequently they have also had their comatose spells when they have unerringly failed to live up to expectations and have frustrated their faithful followers. This is the story of Hull before all of the Premiership glory and Cup Final appearance which followed and shows where the club came from.

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Book SynopsisFormed in March 1892 by disaffected members of none other than Everton, two years later the club set the standard for future generations by storming to the Second Division title. Before World War One, Liverpool had twice been crowned champions of English football, a feat they repeated in consecutive seasons in the 1920s, then another in the 40''s and twice more in the 60''s under Shankley. Now Liverpool were on the brink of a staggering run of successes including 11 League championships up to 1990 â?? and so it went on: thrice European champions, five FA Cup Final victories to 1992 and two UEFA Cup Final wins. The Liverpool Collection covers all these great eras, with around 200 fascinating photographs of the players and the matches which will be a wonderful record of the greatest days in the history of this great club.

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Book SynopsisIt was a tragedy unparalleled in sporting history and still affecting the club today. Unlike Manchester United after Munich, the Torino club has never been able to recover from that awful moment. Fifty years after the tragedy of Superga, Alexandra Manna and Mike Gibbs revisited Turin to see an entire city pay homage to the memory of those who died. The experience made a profound impression upon them and they resolved to find out more. The result is this book."

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Book SynopsisThe Wanderers have a wonderful history, the story of their journey through football which their motto â??Supera Morasâ?? translated as â??to overcome all difficulties,â?? emphasises them in its entirety. A founder member of the football league they have been a major force in football and are known worldwide. There are many photographs to accompany this wonderful account of a great football club that rose from humble beginnings in a Lancashire mill town. The book is an historical information narrative in yearly format detailing all the successes they have achieved in all competitions and every player involved is shown in a detailed account, with additional information on the other teams involved. There is an extra chapter dedicated to Nat Lofthouse and charts his career, again with numerous pictures to accompany it.

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Book SynopsisJuly 1966. Wembley Stadium, England v. Mexico. Charlton enters the opposition half and lets fly. On a 12 inch black and white television, a seven-year-old boy sees his first ever goal and at the same time falls in love with the place where it was scored. April 1967. Brisbane Road E10, Leyton Orient v. Swindon Town. The lads first live game. A thrilling goalless draw and his life was mapped out - heâ??s fallen in love with the Orient. Two different passions and a desire begins to want to watch his team play at the legendary venue. May 29th 1999. Destination finally reached. This is the story of all that happened to the little club in the east end of London and a passionate follower of theirs in the thirty-two years in between. This is the tale of a long road to Wembley.

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Book SynopsisThere are many quality football coaches in the game at every level who feel that defending is more about mentality than tactics, that defending topics do not need to be part of every training session. With its more than 190 defending drills to train players, this book seeks to reestablish balance in tactical planning and in training design by examining every aspect of individual and team defending, making it easy for the coach to incorporate tackling, defending roles, pressing, defending set-pieces, and many more topics into team training. It is the complete guide to mastering defending in football. The 1990 World Cup in Italy was infamous for generating the lowest-ever goals per game average, and since then, tactical thought has focused heavily and consistently on flexible attacking designed to break down and defeat defending in depth. This book argues that the next tactical revolution belongs to the defending side of the ball, and it features complex, layered defending, blending postures and pressures designed to keep an attacking team off balance throughout the match.

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Book Synopsis'Probably the biggest story in football of the last decade ... Reads like a Cold War thriller.' - Best Football Books of 2019, FourFourTwo ***One anonymous football fan.18.6 million confidential documents. The explosive story of the shady underworld of modern football.In 2016, a whistle-blower known only as 'John' began leaking a treasure trove of top-secret files, revealing the clandestine dealings of clubs, players and agents at the highest levels of international football.From the eye-popping details of player transfers, to loopholes and opaque tax structures that ensure maximum earnings, this is a tale of rapacious greed and dodgy deals. It is also a gripping story of a fan who wanted to free football from corruption, but finds himself on the run.

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Book Synopsis'For those of you missing your football fix, anything by Michael Calvin is worth a read – the hugely respected sports journalist writes eloquently about the modern game in page turner State of Play.'DAILY MIRROR_______________________________________________________LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDAward-winning author of The Nowhere Men, Living on the Volcano and No Hunger in Paradise returns with his magnum opus on the state of modern footballFirst he revealed the extraordinary lives of football scouts in The Nowhere Men.Next he unearthed the pressures on football managers in Living on the Volcano.Then he chronicled the hardships of young players striving to make it in No Hunger in Paradise.Now in State of Play, in what marks the pinnacle of a career investigating the human stories of football, award-winning writer Michael Calvin turns his eye to the biggest story of all - the game itself.From mental health to money, concussion to Champions league, fan-owners to oligarchs, women's football to world cups, Calvin gets under the skin of the beautiful game, and reveals why it is truly the game of our lives.Based on hundreds of hours of interviews with leading figures around the world, from Arsene Wenger to Steven Gerrard, Calvin reveals the winners, the losers, the politics, the pleasure, the hope, and the despair of the world's most popular sport.Trade ReviewOne of the issues Calvin explores in his most recent book State of Play is the need for more emotionally intelligent managers and coaches in football, as epitomised by England manager Gareth Southgate. * CNN Sport *As enthralling and insightful as any fans of Mike’s previous books would expect -- Matt Williams * Simon Mayo’s Books of the Year Podcast *A grandstand view of the beautiful game . . . Calvin draws on his own frontline reporting as well as interviews with leading football figures to present an exhaustive portrait of the modern game. * Radio Times *Thought-provoking and well-wrought. * The Sunday Times *Michael Calvin has done the game a massive service with this broad ranging, hard-hitting and exceptionally well researched book and he has also written it in a beautiful, lucid prose style. * Greville Waterman Review *

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Book SynopsisThe Man Who Made A Football ClubSir Matt Busby, who took Manchester United to unprecedented glory before seeing the club through profound tragedy, created the global entity that spreads from Old Trafford today.A player with Manchester City and Liverpool before the Second World War, Busby remained at the forefront of football through four decades and made an extraordinary contribution to the game in terms of both style and substance. In this definitive biography, Patrick Barclay looks back at Busby’s phenomenal life and career, including the rise of the Busby Babes in the 1950s, the Munich disaster that claimed 23 lives and the Wembley victory ten years on that made United the first English team to win the European Cup. Denis Law, Pat Crerand and such other members of that great side as Alex Stepney, David Sadler and John Aston are among the host of voices testifying to the qualities that set Sir Matt apart.This is the story of one of the greatest figures in football history, and of the making of a legacy that will last for ever.Trade ReviewMany new books with a sporting theme are tumbling onto the shelves but I doubt any will be superior to the illuminating and comprehensive biography of Sir Matt Busby by the irrepressible football sage Patrick Barclay The events and emotions are recounted with haunting eloquence by Barclay: a master of his craft. -- Jim Holden * Sunday Express *Patrick Barclay’s magnificent biography of Sir Matt Busby -- Alan Pattullo * Scotland on Sunday *‘Sir Matt Busby’s story has been told many times but, rarely with such perception and scholarly attention to detail’ ‘ a stunning biography ... destined to become a classic of its genre’ -- Patrick Collins‘An outstanding book’ -- Phil Shaw * Backpass *‘Superbly written … a book all football fans should read.’ -- Michael Crick

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Book SynopsisThe Beautiful Badge tells the fascinating story behind the UK's football club badges, from 1860s hand-embroidered symbols on home-knitted jerseys to today's multi-million pound brands. The book not only covers hammers, cannon and Liver birds but also reveals the link between Peterhead FC and Viz comic; which TV celebrity designed Aldershot Town FC's badge; and whose GBP10 doodle became the opposition's badge. Some clubs have sported ten or more different badges over the decades, ranging from their town's coat of arms to cartoon insects and initials. Promotion, moving to a new stadium or an owner with controversial views often results in a new badge. The book plots the influence of fashion, technology and fans, and investigates the tensions between clubs and supporters over changes to their beloved badge. Do you know why your club's badge looks the way it does? The Beautiful Badge is essential reading for football enthusiasts, historians, designers and anyone who enjoys putting their feet up in the boot room.

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Book SynopsisFifteen Barnsley footballing legends tell the stories behind their favourite ever games for the club - enabling fans of all ages to relive these magic moments through the eyes and emotions of the men who were there, pulling on the famous red shirt. Local lad Mick McCarthy recalls the moment he was selected for his first game representing his boyhood team, revealing how dearly he holds the club, the fans and one person in particular all these years later. Arjan de Zeeuw talks about how he was smuggled into a hotel when he was still an unknown, and was told he was signing for an English club. In the end he was delighted that his career in England started at Barnsley, going on to describe how it felt to do the unthinkable at Anfield during the club's only Premier League season. Oakwell legends including Marley Watkins, Lewin Nyatanga, Marc Richards, Paul Hayes, Brian Howard, Adie Moses, Darren Barnard and Stephen Foster also turn in characteristic star performances, winding back the clock to relive treasured memories of the Match of Their Lives.

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Book SynopsisThe 1970s saw a change in the fortunes of the Scottish national side. After a gap of 16 years World Cup qualification was achieved for the finals in West Germany in 1974. Credited as the only undefeated side at the tournament, the sobering trip to Argentina four years later prompted more realistic future expectations. In a decade in which the SFA celebrated its centenary, the scandal of the Copenhagen Five and a breakdown in relations between the press and players were significant events - while, on the park, players of the calibre of Dalglish, Hartford, Jordan, Souness and McQueen replaced the old guard. Scotland in the 70s looks beyond the decade's 89 matches, examining the role of the managers - Brown, Docherty, Ormond, MacLeod, Stein - and the circumstances surrounding the many memorable games. Extensive newspaper and video archive research is complemented by the memories of star contributors including Bobby Brown, Archie MacPherson, Asa Hartford, Eddie Gray, Willie Morgan, Willie Johnston, Lou Macari, Bobby Clark, Jimmy Bone and John Blackley.

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Book SynopsisForgotten Nations tells the stories of the international football teams that are unable to break into FIFA's ranks, from the self-funded minnows of Barawa in south-western Sudan to Tibet's Dalai Lama-backed national side, and new media darlings Yorkshire. They play under the auspices of CONIFA - the Confederation of Independent Football Associations - created to help express the cultural identities of football's 'stateless peoples', fighting for recognition on the biggest stage of all. Here are incredible human and sporting stories from diverse regions: from Matabeleland in Zimbabwe, still recovering from massacres 30 years ago, to Tuvalu in the south Pacific, threatened with inundation. Aided by wonderful behind-the-scenes access at London's 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup, and the irresistible willpower of sportsmen and women trying to make their stories heard, Forgotten Nations explains why 11,000 people crammed into a tiny stadium on the Black Sea coast in 2016 to watch two teams that most of the world has never heard of.

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Book SynopsisThe sequel to The Roar of the Lionesses - named one of The Guardian's best sports books of 2016. England's Lionesses headed to France for the 2019 Women's World Cup endeavouring to improve on their third-place finish in Canada four years previously. But they didn't have the easiest of preparations, with dramas and headlines emerging for all the wrong reasons. Back home, FA upheavals brought yet another restructure of competition in women's football. The top flights switched back to a winter season, and now all the elite teams had to employ players on a full-time professional basis. While the superstars went in search of spectacular silverware, the goalposts were being moved for pros, part-timers and amateurs alike. Even women playing football for fun were forced to consider their place in the system. Carrie Dunn's Pride of the Lionesses offers a timely inside analysis of one of the UK's fastest-growing sports. Is women's football in England actually growing from top to bottom - or is it just another slick PR campaign?

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Book SynopsisThe tale of Tottenham Hotspur's extraordinary run to the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid. Authors Alex Fynn and Martin Cloake examine how Spurs confounded all predictions to enjoy their most successful ever CL campaign - and what it means for the future. They explain why a certain style of football and competing in Europe are central to the club's identity, and look at how manager Mauricio Pochettino drew on these traditions to create a very modern success story. Using match reports from national newspapers to provide the narrative thread, Fynn and Cloake draw on their football backgrounds to explain why this campaign so fired the imagination - in a season with no signings, played mostly without a home stadium. With a rich cast of characters and locations ranging from Eindhoven to Madrid via Barcelona and Dortmund - and one emotional night in Amsterdam - One Step from Glory tells the story of a football odyssey.

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Book SynopsisTim Quelch takes a nostalgic look back on a 60s childhood and early adulthood immersed in Sussex sport. Hastings United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Sussex County Cricket Club were his three great loves, his passion for football ignited by United's plucky 1953/54 giant-killing side that came tantalisingly close to a fifth-round FA Cup clash with Arsenal. Later, Brighton secured Tim's lasting loyalty when he witnessed their brave 1961 FA Cup battle with First Division champions Burnley. That same year, Tim was captivated by explosive Sussex batsman Ted Dexter and mesmerised by West Indian fast bowler Wes Hall. Good Old Sussex by the Sea takes us on a whirlwind tour of the highs and lows of Sussex football and cricket in the 1960s, a time when local allegiances counted and expectations of success were more modest. But it was hardly an age of innocence as Hastings United's involvement in a major police corruption scandal shows. The book recalls a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and woes, bringing to life many local heroes of yesteryear.

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Book SynopsisFine Margins is the definitive story of how two mainstays of English football took their feuding on to the game's biggest stages. The Manchester City and Liverpool rivalry is synonymous with the Premier League, but its roots go back much further. For over half a century, these two clubs from opposite ends of the M62 have been perennial thorns in each other's side. Bill Shankly laid the groundwork in the late 1960s before a series of clashes a decade later further stoked the fires, culminating in an attack on City's team bus in 1981 after they beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield. The feud was reignited in the mid-1990s when Liverpool relegated City on the final day of the 1995/96 Premier League season. When they returned to the top flight, Manchester's blue half became the scourge of Merseyside's Redmen, snatching players and points away from them. Countless managers, players and directors have continued what started in the Bill Shankly era, with the rivalry ramped up a notch through the reigns of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

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Book SynopsisEven the Defeats is the story of how painful moments in Sir Alex Ferguson's early reign inspired him to lead Manchester United to some of their greatest successes. A heavy 5-1 loss at Manchester City in Ferguson's early tenure led pundits and supporters to question the Scot's position, but by the season's end he was holding aloft his first trophy at the club -- the FA Cup. This trend continued when an end-of-season collapse handed Leeds United the league title in the spring of 1992, only to galvanise United to their first championship in 26 years the very next year. From struggles in Europe to winning the treble, from losing the title on goal difference to their city rivals to winning the Premier League in Ferguson's final season in charge - rising from the depths of despair to achieve glory, and using failure to fuel success, was arguably Sir Alex's greatest strength. John Silk brings you the inside story of what made Ferguson tick, with views from players, coaches and other members of staff from the great Scot's reign.

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Book SynopsisI'm with the Cosmos' was the phrase New York Cosmos players used to get a table reserved at the city's best restaurants or skip the queue at the glamorous Studio 54 nightclub. And it was one Steve Hunt became used to trotting out, after he was transferred from Aston Villa to New York Cosmos at the tender age of 20, having played just seven times for the first team at Villa. He walked straight into a world of celebrity and a team of superstars including two of the world's finest players, Pele and Franz Beckenbauer. This is Steve's story of those heady days in New York - but also a stellar career back in England during the early 1980s. Returning to the West Midlands, Steve played for Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and returned to his beloved Aston Villa for a second spell - and at the age of 28, he won the first of two England caps under Bobby Robson, realising an ambition held since early childhood. This is Steve's story, and in it he writes frankly about his football career, as well as his life outside the game.

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Book SynopsisFrom 1890 to 1958, Sunderland were part of football's elite with a 68-year unbroken run in the top flight. The shock of a first relegation in 1958 was matched by the elation of a first promotion in 1963/64. Starting with that season, the book celebrates every occasion Sunderland went up. What was the secret to each Black Cats promotion? And who did the fans have to thank? Rob Mason gets the inside story through exclusive interviews with players and managers who were at the heart of the action. Moments of magic and mystery are revealed as the story of each season unfolds. From Charlie Hurley's much-loved 1963/64 side, through to the second Bob Stokoe side to win a trophy at Sunderland in 1976, Ken Knighton winning promotion in his first season as a manager and the teams of Denis Smith and Peter Reid - who each won promotion twice - then on to the 'Sund-Ireland' era when promotion was won under Mick McCarthy and then Roy Keane, all the great days and great games are here to cherish and enjoy.

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Book SynopsisA lot can happen in 90 minutes. From football's codification in 1863 to the modern era - goals, red cards and even substitutions have led to some of the strongest and most remarkable sporting legacies. The game has grown into the world's largest and most supported sport, with all aspects of modern life being drawn into its continually expanding empire. This book journeys through football's incredible history to examine some of the game's most fascinating minutes of play which, to this day, provoke lasting memories. These key moments show how there is often far more to a minute of football than just 60 seconds. The impact can last for years, decades or centuries. By looking at the history of goals, finals and even corners we get a clear picture of how football became the game we know and love today. From the first goal in an FA Cup Final to Diego Maradona's 'hand of God', The History of Football in Ninety Minutes (Plus Extra Time) gives fuel to the notion that every minute in football counts.

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Book SynopsisManchester United Minute by Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Reds' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From United's early years and successes to the days of domestic dominance and European glory, the book covers everything from the Sir Matt Busby and Ron Atkinson eras through to the reigns of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Revisit United's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's proud history. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Old Trafford and around the world, Manchester United Minute by Minute is packed with memorable moments. Read about the goals that secured many of the 20 top-flight titles, plus all the 'Fergie time' winners. From Law to Rashford, from Best to Rooney - all the club legends are here, with thrilling memories from kick-off to the final whistle.

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Book SynopsisIn 1976, young Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Graham Tutt had the world at his feet. Then in an instant his dreams were shattered by a career-ending collision seen by millions on TV. What happened next has never been told before. Persistent double vision scuppered a comeback attempt, leading to hurt, depression and bitterness. Moving to South Africa, Tutt witnessed the horrors of apartheid while playing in the country's first mixed league. After surviving some hair-raising experiences, he settled in America and played professional soccer, ran soccer camps for thousands of young people and was inducted into the Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame. He also found love and contentment along with forgiveness after tracking down a figure from his distant past. Never Give Up: The Graham 'Buster' Tutt Story is both laugh-out-loud funny and heart-achingly sad. It speaks not just to athletes but to anyone who has suffered a major setback in their life.

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Book SynopsisFootball has never seemed so distant from its fans. Many have been alienated by the greed and shameless self-interest of the Premier League, and no one can predict how the global game will look post-pandemic. In Whose Game Is It Anyway?, Sunday Times best-selling author Michael Calvin searches for a reason to believe. Written at the height of the Covid-19 crisis, the book is a thought-provoking, deeply personal account of the role sport - and particularly football - plays in everyday life. Part memoir, part manifesto, it takes the reader on a tour of the world's greatest sporting occasions and into its outposts in sub-Saharan Africa, the Amazon Basin and the Southern Ocean. Drawn from Calvin's experience as an award-winning sportswriter, covering every major sports event over 40 years in more than 80 countries, it offers first-hand insight into such icons as Muhammad Ali, Maradona and Sir Bobby Charlton. With settings ranging from a jungle clearing to a township in apartheid South Africa, this is sport as you've never seen it before.Trade Review"There are few football memoirs which weave their way from Accrington to the Amazon, while offering a glimpse of the game's future... recounted with feeling and forensic behind the scenes insight... Whose Game is it Anyway? is a deeply personal book that will resonate with many fans." --When Saturday Comes; "Michael Calvin's latest work does not disappoint in confirming his status as one of the UK's best sports writers of modern times. An engaging patchwork of powerful ideas, brutal criticism and genuine acclaim for the heroes of Calvin's life." --David Walker, The Sports Journalists Association; "Mike Calvin's memoir deserves to be read by everyone who loves football. It's full of good tales and beautifully written too." --Paul Hayward; "A tour de force. An engaging blend of touching memoir and trenchant reporting." Ian Ridley, William Hill shortlisted author of The Breath of Sadness; "A lovely, soulful, personal read. Michael Calvin has done it again." --Jonathan Northcroft, Sunday Times; "This is a wonderful read that draws on all Calvin's experiences from his working and personal life to explore the role of sport in our lives... As a reader there is an intimacy in the writing that felt like Calvin was talking directly to me, whether this was about him having tuberculosis as a child or his encounters with sporting legends such as Muhammad Ali or Bobby Charlton... This surely has to be on the William Hill Sports Book of the Year list." --FootballBookReviews.com; "A timely and gorgeously evocative reminder of the game they're trying to steal now." --Vincent Hogan, Irish Independent; "Couldn't be better timed, with all the talk of the European Super League." --Guy Clarke, Liverpool Echo; "The book is a timely reminder of why football is so much more important than the selfish Super League clubs. It is an illuminating journey of discovery, and we end on a positive note, suggesting that there are some Premier League agents-for-change like Marcus Rashford and community-led clubs like Lewes, Accrington and AFC Wimbledon who offer real hope for the future of football." --Late Tackle; "Strongly recommend the new book from Michael Calvin, Whose Game Is It Anyway?, to anyone for whom football is a substantial strand [in their] life. That the release coincides with news of a Super League only reinforces why football needs voices like Michael's." --Alan Redmond, Football Agent

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Book SynopsisFed up with being stuck at home? Are you missing the excitement and fulfilment of an overseas jaunt for an away football match? The Away Leg: XI Football Stories on the Road takes your imagination on a trip around the world navigated by a skilled team of 11 football writers. From derbies in Brazil, Georgia and Israel to the momentous rise of the Iceland men's national team, from Palestine and North Korea to a UEFA Cup final overshadowed by murder, a controversial Women's World Cup meeting between England and Cameroon, the story of South America's most remarkable Copa Libertadores final and a historic triumph by Arsenal in the UEFA Women's Cup Final, The Away Leg's team takes you to the heart of the action with remarkable tales from across the globe. Until we can all hit the road again, The Away Leg fills the void with incredible football stories, with all author royalties going to the national social care charity Community Integrated Care.

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Book SynopsisUnder the Lights and in the Dark: Untold Stories of Women's Soccer takes an unprecedented look inside the lives of professional football players around the world - from precarious positions in underfunded teams and leagues, to sold-out stadiums and bright lights. Award-winning filmmaker and journalist Gwendolyn Oxenham tells the stories of the phenoms, underdogs, and nobodies - players willing to follow the game wherever it takes them. Under the Lights and in the Dark takes us inside the world of women's soccer, following players across the globe, from Portland Thorns star Allie Long, who trains in an underground men's league in New York City; to English national Fara Williams, who hid her homelessness from her teammates while playing for the English national team. Oxenham takes us to Voronezh, Russia, where players battle more than just snowy pitches in pursuing their dream of playing pro, and to a refugee camp in Denmark, where Nadia Nadim, now a Danish international star, honed her skills after her family fled from the Taliban.Whether you're a newcomer to the sport or a die-hard fan, this is an inspiring book about stars' beginnings and adventures, struggles and hardship, and, above all, the time-honored romance of the game.Trade ReviewA terrific collection of stories of the adventures undertaken and the struggles faced by players around the world' * Guardian, selected for The best books on sport, 2019 *Oxenham is one of my favorite soccer writers; she connects on a deeply human level with the people who are the soul of the global game. I love this book.' * Grant Wahl, Sports Illustrated senior writer, Fox Sports TV *The book's true virtues are in its complexities and portrayals of the players whose lives are interesting both on and off the field . Oxenham understands a good sports story must work as a mirror to reflect the world around it. And, like Friday Night Lights or Seabiscuit, Under the Lights and In the Dark does just that . This work is truly a testament to women's soccer and women in sports. It is also a fun story for both sports fans and plain old readers alike.' * Gretchen Lida, Washington Independent Review of Books *What a fine thing that a superb writer has found these 'untold stories' . and remedied that situation.' * The Boston Globe, The best books of 2019 *The book, just like women's soccer itself, is actually a tapestry of interwoven stories, all connected by different color threads to create one big, stunning masterpiece. And like a tapestry, Oxenham weaves the beauty of her storytelling with the bruteness of a slide tackle to make the book a must-read for any fan of the women's game.' * Allison Lee, The Equalizer *Gwendolyn is the master at finding incredible soccer stories. These are stories that need to be heard - told in a way that leaves you begging for more.' * Julie Foudy, ESPN, USWNT captain, two-time Olympic gold medalist & World Cup champion *A startlingly good book. Oxenham is a marvelous observer. These are moving, uplifting stories from around the world - what top soccer is like when there's no money or fame in it and you just do it for love.' * Simon Kuper, author of Soccernomics *Twelve uplifting and incredible stories telling the risks and rewards of pursuing a career as a professional women's football player. A fantastic collection of pieces that get to the heart of what some of the world's best and most talented players have overcome - from homelessness to motherhood to homophobia, in order to play the game they love - often without the guarantee of fame and fortune should they succeed.' * The Athletic UK writers' favourite football books *The book, a blend of stand-up-and-cheer triumphs and bittersweet cautionary tales, is a revelation, and it is a must-read for anyone curious about not just women's soccer, but the beautiful game.' * The Globe and Mail *If you care one iota about women's football, stop what you're doing, order this book right now - both to understand the true state of the game and to support Oxenham in her work. This is an essential read.' * Men in Blazers podcast *An eye-opening, cohesive collection of fascinating stories that will help bring women's soccer to the next level. Appropriate for high school students, public libraries, and all readers interested in the future of the sport.' * Library Journal *One of the most compelling sports books I have ever read' * Female Coaching Network *Oxenham has a nice, inclusive, easy to understand writing style. The twelve-year-old girl reading this as part of her English homework will be as engrossed as the 60-year-old who never dreamt that these things could happen to a female soccer player. That's a fantastic skill to have as a writer.' * Gorey Guardian *

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Book Synopsis'A man who had such a huge impact on my career and so many other young players at West Ham United. I highly recommend this fantastic read.' FRANK LAMPARD JR'This man passed on the West Ham DNA to the best generation of academy graduates to come through the West Ham system.' RIO FERDINAND'A West Ham United man, a must read for every West Ham United fan.' MARK NOBLEThe autobiography of a West Ham legend - including exclusive interviews with Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Mark Noble.Tony Carr is one of the most influential coaches of all time. Having achieved his boyhood dream of signing with West Ham United in 1966 and training alongside the inimitable Bobby Moore, a leg break forced Carr to end his playing career before it had even begun. Not to be deterred, he decided to forge himself a new path and was appointed director of youth football at West Ham in 1973, aged just 23.As Carr tells in this book the very first time, over the next 43 years he honed his craft, becoming hugely admired for identifying and nurturing young talent, guiding multiple generations of international starlets through the ranks at The Academy of Football.In his brilliant, understated style, Tony tells the incredible story of his footballing life. He recounts the highs and lows of his time with West Ham, with tales of the twelve managers he coached under. This unique evocation of a coach's craft includes exclusive interviews with Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and current West Ham captain Mark Noble as they talk frankly about football and their place within it.Trade ReviewA man who had such a huge impact on my career and so many other young players at West Ham United. I highly recommend this fantastic read. -- FRANK LAMPARD JRThis man passed on the West Ham DNA to the best generation of academy graduates to come through the West Ham system. -- RIO FERDINANDA West Ham United man, a must read for every West Ham United fan. -- MARK NOBLE

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Book SynopsisFootball isn't life or death - it's much more serious than that...Which players will the fans never forget? Who are the Premier League's best buys? Who were the best link ups in history? In Match of the Day Top 10 of Everything, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards bring all of the charm, wit and punditry of their hit BBC Sounds podcast onto the page, arguing the toss over their favourite strikers, Premier League managers, shock transfers, cult heroes, hard men, FA Cup Finals, and much, much more. The question is...will you agree with their picks?

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Book SynopsisThe definitive history of the iconic football club: the glory, the scandal, the stars and its enduring influence on Italian life.Juventus utterly dominates the Italian game. Home to some of the biggest names in sport, it has won title after title, trophy after trophy. However, parallel to the success and myth, there's a murkier reality. For one hundred years the club and its billionaire owners, the Agnelli family, have been synonymous with match-fixing, doping, political chicanery and more. While La Vecchia Signora remains Italy's best-supported team, it's also its most despised.Juve! charts the story of Italy's great sporting dynasty, chronicling the triumphs and tragedies of the Agnellis, and of the icons - Boniperti, Del Piero, Ronaldo - who have been their sporting emissaries for almost a century. The pride of Italy or its dark heart? Footballing colossus or vanity project? With this unique institution, as with so much about life in Italy, things are seldom black and white...'Superbly entertaining and incisive' TLS'A compelling case for a football club encapsulating the entire psyche of Italy' Observer

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Book SynopsisThe Little Book of England Football is the latest volume in this highly successful series of sports-themed quotes books. It is dedicated to all things wide and wonderful about the Three Lions, focusing on the words of wit and wisdom from former players, such as Bobby Moore, Gazza and Gary Lineker, to the key men in today's set-up including manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane. Ingerlund! Ingerlund! Ingerlund! Table of ContentsIntroduction. We Love You, England, We Do! Heroes of the Shirt. The Toughest Job in Football. World Cup Heroics. Best of Enemies. Celebrity Fans. The Wembley Roar.

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Book SynopsisWhat does it take to get to the very top - to become truly 'World Class'? We are The F2 and we're going to show you what separates the Messis from the masses, the Kanes from the can'ts and the Neymars from the no-mores. We're going to show you how to elevate your game to the World Stage.Our book reveals the secrets of your favourite footballers as we show you how to improve your fitness, add focus to your mentality and supersize your skills. We'll prove to you that you don't have to be born great to become great. So when the big day comes around, you'll be ready to unleash your inner winner. We've also made you a free app where you can see exactly how it's done. So, if you want control like Coutinho, power like Pogba or swaz like Sànchez, you know what to do: read, download, grab a ball and we'll see you on the pitch. Love, peace and tekkers, Billy & Jez, aka The F2

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Book Synopsis'The reason they're so popular, is because they're so good!' Chris Evans'The F2 are unbelievable - what they do is not possible!' - PeléHOW TO BECOME THE PERFECT FOOTBALLER WITH THE BESTSELLING FOOTBALL INFLUENCERSWe are The F2. And this is Ultimate Footballer. We have scoured the planet and analysed what components you need to become the perfect footballer: the speed of Mbappé, the dribbling of Hazard, the tekkers of Neymar and the tackling of Ramos. If you want to add skills like the Özil bounce pass, the Messi soft scoop and the Neymar rainbow, then look no further. And this time we reveal the secret tips told to us by the top Pros behind the scenes. And once you've put your ultimate footballer together, you can compare with ours. Who has the best? You decide. There's a free app to download that will make the pages come to life with exclusive videos, tricks and games. So, what are you waiting for? Open, read, learn, download and get out on the pitch and practise.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of the new King of the Kop.When Mohamed Salah signed for Liverpool from Rome in 2017, his record fee was initially greeted with some skepticism. While he'd been singled out as a future star back in Egypt, and performed well at the Italian club, no one could have predicted the impact he was to have at Anfield.Scoring an unprecedented thirty-two goals in thirty-six games for the club, he became the sensation of the Premier League. Not only that, but he has also won over fans of all stripes with his humility and grace off the pitch, as well as his versatility and flair on it. Few players have inspired such fervent admiration so quickly, with chants of his name still reverberating around Anfield, and after just a short time, he has already become a Liverpool legend.In this insightful biography, bestselling sports writer Frank Worrall examines Salah's electrifying journey to Liverpool, from the highs and lows that brought him there to the Champions League glory that crowned the 2018/19 season.

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