Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisHow much do you really know about West Ham United? Put your Hammers knowledge to the test with this bumper book of brainteaser quizzes and fascinating facts, beautifully illustrated by one of the world's leading sports artists. It's packed with trivia on all the West Ham greats - from World Cup heroes Moore, Hurst and Peters to Hammers legends Bonds, Brooking and beyond - providing hours of highly dippable fun and entertainment. Which West Ham manager played in a rock band called Rawbau? Who was West Ham's first non-British manager? A statue erected near the Boleyn Ground, honouring the Hammers' 1966 World Cup heroes, also includes which Everton player? Fan favourite Clyde Best was born in which country? Trivquiz West Ham United holds the answers to all these questions and hundreds more.

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Book SynopsisA History of European Football in 100 Objects: The Alternative Football Museum reveals the shocking hidden history of European football. In this fantasy football museum, Bollen delves into the archives to uncover idiocy and chaos from across the continent. The exhibits highlight the very worst of the human condition: greed, cheating, match-fixing, bribery, extortion and murder. Learn about the French captain who joined the Gestapo, the notorious football-mad Stasi boss, Erich Mielke and Gaddafi's son playing in Italy, the 1970s Lazio side that put Wimbledon's Crazy Gang to shame and the Romanian club owner who tried to stop hooliganism with a moat full of crocodiles. Along the way you'll meet Dundalk's one-armed super striker, Austrian legend Matthias Sindelar and the Italian George Best. Bollen again proves the ideal curator: passionate, meticulously informed and funny. His insightful take on the game is compelling and at times poignant. It is an exhibition for every curious football fan.

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Book SynopsisJohn Harris's arrival at Bramall Lane laid the foundations for the appearance of some of the greatest players in Sheffield United's history. In his second full season in charge, the Blades were promoted back to the first division. Ain't Got a Barrel of Money is the story of Harris and those who came after him, building a team that would challenge for a place in Europe, the decline that followed and the inevitable sale of many of the club's finest players. In 1975, they finished sixth in Division One, playing some of the most exciting football in the country. Currie, Woodward, Colquhoun, Speight, Hemsley and Badger were all household names. But within six years Sheffield United had gone from the brink of greatness to the ultimate humiliation - relegation to the fourth division, for the first and only time in the club's wonderful history. Filled with anecdotes and memories from many of those who were there, both on the field and on the terraces, this book captures the highs and lows of being a Sheffield United fan.

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Book SynopsisPlease Don't Take Me Home is the emotional tale of Italian immigrant Simone Abitante's 20-year love affair with Fulham Football Club. After leaving his native country, Simone falls in love with London and its oldest club, embarking on a personal mission to spread the word and get Fulham recognised beyond Britain by as many people as possible. Following the Cottagers through the most successful spell in their modern history, Simone takes his nephews to Craven Cottage where - together with new friends and Whites addicts Jeff, Mark and Ben - they experience unforgettable wins, exhilarating highs and devastating lows, amid rivers of beer, true friendship and an unquenchable passion for the beautiful game. Even after leaving London for Mallorca, Simone keeps following his beloved Fulham, with that famous white jersey serving as a second skin. Played out against a backdrop of heartbreaks, departures and life-changing decisions, Please Don't Take Me Home is a footballing story every fan can relate to.

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Book SynopsisScotland's Swedish Adventure is the definitive story of Scotland's journey into their first ever European Championship finals, in Sweden. Having qualified for five consecutive World Cup finals between 1974 and 1990, it was surprising the Scots hadn't yet reached the Euro finals given the array of talent at their disposal. Andy Roxburgh would soon change that, and after being drawn into the ultimate 'group of death' that included the reigning European and world champions, his side repeatedly put on brave performances against superior opposition to make the nation proud. Scotland's Swedish Adventure explores the story behind their road to qualification, with exclusive insight from some of the men who made this adventure happen, including Roxburgh himself, players, journalists and fans. That Scotland qualified for an eight-team tournament, and finished fifth in the overall standings, is an achievement that doesn't get the recognition and respect it deserves. This 30th anniversary tribute remedies that.Trade Review"To help me get mentally attuned for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign I got stick into an excellent book entitled Scotland's Swedish Adventure: The Story of Scotland's European Championship Debut." * Scotland Forever *"Filled with words from the likes of Jim McInally, Richard Gough, Maurice Malpas, Stuart McCall and fans too. This means you get a first hand view on top of John's research which gives the book a good dynamic. A very well researched and detailed effort... A good informative read and one all Scotland fans should have on their shelf." * Fitbawbag.com *"A week after the Qatar World Cup Final, Santa helped cheer me up with Scotland's Swedish Adventure. The first-ever Euro finals took place in 1960 but it was not until 1992 that Scotland made it through the qualifying rounds to an eight-nations finals. Thirty years on, the author suceeds in giving the achievement the recognition and respect it deserves." * Programme Monthly *

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Book SynopsisGlory and Despair is a pictorial celebration of the World Cup that takes us on a spellbinding journey, from the inaugural tournament in 1930 to the present day. Using stunning library stock images, the book brings to life the feats of the greatest stars ever to grace the game, including Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore and both Ronaldos. This beautiful visual homage covers the great matches, the incredible goals, the controversies, heroes and villains, capturing the most iconic moments in the greatest tournament of any sport. Glory and Despair is an essential piece of World Cup nostalgia that honours the history of the greatest football show on earth.

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Book SynopsisNii Lamptey: The Curse of Pelé is the authorised biography of Ghanaian footballer Nii Lamptey, a one-time bright young talent who was hailed as 'the next Pelé' by Pelé himself. By age 16, Lamptey had won the Belgian title with RSC Anderlecht and the world championship with Ghana's under-16s. One year later, he won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After joining Dutch masters PSV Eindhoven on loan in 1993 and scoring 10 times in 22 games that season, Lamptey appeared to have the world at his feet. Spells at Aston Villa and Coventry City followed, but he failed to fulfil Pelé's bold prophecy. Instead, his career became a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when too much pressure is applied to young players. Injuries, lack of schooling, domestic violence, bad agents and a tragic and turbulent personal life pushed Lamptey to the brink of suicide, but thankfully he recovered. In this 'warts and all' account he finally lifts the lid on his incredible story.

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Book Synopsis1992 to 2022 was a period like no other for West Ham United. Taking in the rise of the Premier League, promotion, relegation, European nights and so much more, Daniel Hurley looks at key moments in West Ham's recent history from a fan's perspective, remembering joy and despair in equal measure along his journey as a football supporter from child to adult. The Games That Made Us is the story of an unforgettable period in West Ham's history told through the club's 50 most important matches over the past 30 years, with each game put into context and the consequences examined. From Dicks to Di Canio, Harewood to Antonio, Redknapp to Allardyce, The Games That Made Us tells tales of last-minute winners and last-second heartbreak, of trips to Cardiff, 5-4 victories and 4-2 defeats, plus more matches against Wimbledon than you would expect. Find out how a former manager once gave Daniel a transfer exclusive, why his son's first game was possibly the worst debut in history and why John Hartson ruined his 14th birthday.

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Book SynopsisBrazil 1970 is the fascinating and dramatic inside story of the greatest football team of all time. Predicted to be drab and dull, the 1970 World Cup became the greatest show on Earth, with the mesmerising Brazilians at the heart of a dramatic and delirious three weeks. After their demise at the 1966 World Cup, the South Americans were no longer the masters of the game. The defenestration rattled Brazil, and left them in purgatory before they swept through the qualifiers with coach João Saldanha. Even so, the team left their home country discredited against the backdrop of a military dictatorship and the proliferation of science in the game. At the World Cup finals, Mario Zagallo and his cast of balletic players - including lodestar Pelé, the cerebral Gerson and the ingenious Tostão - ensured Brazil would forever be synonymous with the global game and a byword for style and craft. Their triumph was also the end of Brazil's golden era. The technocrats had invaded the terrain and Brazil would never again reach those heights.Trade Review"Kunti has been both tireless and very well travelled in his efforts to track down many of the surviving members of the 1970 Seleção. Jairzinho, Gerson and Tostão are among those contributing their own take on the trials and training ground tensions that surrounded the build-up to Brazil’s famous third World Cup victory." * When Saturday Comes *

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Book SynopsisQatar 2022 is an insider's view of the country's ambitious plans for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, and the journey that led them to become the first World Cup hosts in the Arab world. From desert tribes to pearl divers, to being custodians of the third-largest gas reserve in the world, there are many fascinating facets to this great nation. The book reveals how an influx of wealth transformed the country's aspirations to become a global powerhouse. To achieve recognition and regional dominance, Qatar strategically made sport its prime focus before delivering the seemingly impossible and winning the World Cup bid in 2010. There were many stumbling blocks along the way, but Qatar refused to quit. With the eyes of the world turning to Qatar for World Cup 2022, the nation realises this event will be pivotal to how the world perceives it. Knowing Qatar's ability to host events with panache, prepare to be blown away!

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Book SynopsisZurich, 2 December 2010. Sepp Blatter pulls the name of Qatar from the envelope. The accusations fly and the recriminations start. And once it s all sunk in, we start looking at maps and temperature charts and try to scrape together any fragments of knowledge about kingdoms in the Arabian desert. The Armchair Guide looks underneath some of the myths and preconceptions and tries to provide the average fan if there s any such thing with some sound information about what a World Cup in the desert might look like. Was the bidding process corrupt? How many people actually did die building stadiums? How hot will it really be? Can I go there with my mates and have a drink anywhere? What will the legacy be both in the region and for the global game? A light-hearted, sideways glance, Armchair Guide uses stories from within and beyond the game to cover everything about the 2022 Winter World Cup. It can t boast that it will pick a winner, but it ll go some way to shedding light on football s place in a changing world.

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Book SynopsisInside Diego is an intimate portrait of the greatest footballer of all time, from the person in football who knew him best. As Diego Maradona's personal trainer, Fernando Signorini spent more than a decade at the superstar's side, witnessing a dizzying array of highs and lows, from helping Diego recuperate from a broken ankle in 1983 to his dramatic exit from the 1994 World Cup after a failed drugs test. Signorini offers a unique perspective on the troubled legend, giving us the lowdown not only on Diego's evolution as an athlete, but on Diego the human being, a far cry from the character we saw on TV screens. He brings us the inside track on Maradona's preparation for three World Cups: Mexico 86, Italia 90 and USA 94. We also get an insider view on his battles with fame, drugs and extramarital paternity, plus his time in charge of the Argentine national team. Brimming with incredible stories and anecdotes, Inside Diego is an intensely personal rollercoaster account of a flawed football genius.

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Book SynopsisGalvinised is the tale of two footballing brothers with contrasting fortunes who played in a golden age of the game. It's a story of glamour and heartache. Tottenham Hotspur snapped up left-winger Tony Galvin from non-league Goole Town while he was studying Russian at Hull University. Tony won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Spurs alongside legendary stars such as Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles. He also won 29 Republic of Ireland caps and played at Euro 88. Tony ended his playing days at Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town. Conversely, elder brother Chris, an inside-forward, joined Leeds United as an apprentice but struggled to break into Don Revie's iconic team. After witnessing Leeds' glory days from the subs' bench, he played across the Football League pyramid at Hull City, Stockport County and York City before finding success in Hong Kong. The Galvin brothers have tales galore from the 1960s to 1980s, and share stories of players, travelling escapades, training ground bust-ups and unforgettable matches in this unique biography.

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Book SynopsisThe Team that Could Have Been: The Rise and Fall of Crystal Palace's Team of the 80s looks back on a fascinating period for Palace, with meticulous research and supporter memories bringing the story to life.Under the leadership of Malcolm Allison and assistant Terry Venables, the Croydon side embarked on a project later dubbed the Team of the Eighties' to transform a mediocre side into one of the most glamorous in the land. As part of the transformation, Allison changed the club nickname from The Glaziers' to The Eagles', and the club colours from claret and blue to the red and blue vertical stripes we know today, to emulate Barcelona.Set in a troubled area of London against a backdrop of racism, hooliganism, despair and a government working against its citizens, it's a story filled with colourful characters, cup runs and the hopes and dreams of a club punching above its weight for a short period of time.This is the first-ever book on the extr

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Book Synopsis Total Belief looks back at three incredible years in the early 1990s when Bruce Rioch transformed the fortunes of a football club on its knees. In the summer of 1992, Bolton Wanderers were a club in distress. With an aging stadium and struggling in the league, chairman Gordon Hargreaves made the difficult decision to sack manager Phil Neal and employ Bruce Rioch and his assistant Colin Todd.Over the next three seasons, Bruce began to change attitudes by instilling a new mentality. Working his players hard on the pitch and restricting their lives off it, Bruce won the hearts of players and fans alike.With his blend of youth and experience, Bruce took Bolton on incredible cup runs with attractive attacking football that finally brought the crowds back to Burnden Park. The story ended with yet another cup run and two trips to Wembley, including one of the most dramatic comebacks of all time. Sadly, the celebrations were cut short as Bruce Rioch left

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Book SynopsisRed Dawn: The Ballad of Tom Watson and Liverpool FC''s First Champions is the remarkable tale of how Tom Watson, a man from the North East of England, provided the spark that led to the Anfield club''s first two top-flight titles in 1901 and 1906.Watson was a visionary whose training methods, advice to players on diet and somewhat controversial recruitment strategy would no doubt raise eyebrows in the modern era. However, he would provide the blueprint for success that saw him become Liverpool''s longest-serving manager.Watson''s men were the superstars of their day, and included heroic captain Alex Raisbeck and lethal marksman Sam Raybould, not to mention the incomparable Matt McQueen, a future title-winning manager in his own right.Red Dawn is Jeff Goulding and Kieran Smith''s second collaboration, and like their previous title, The Untouchables: Anfield''s Band of Brothers, the book sheds new light on a previously unheralded period in the club''s history.

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Book SynopsisAndy Bollen explores the history, tradition and violent nature of football''s biggest clashes.In unravelling the history of these infamous feuds, Bollen gets to the crux of each conflict, exploring why the fans dislike each other so vehemently.Football is often a search for political identity, as in Spain''s El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, while in Buenos Aires'' Superclásico, it''s poverty and privilege at the heart of the rivalry between working-class Boca Juniors and bourgeois River Plate.Whether it''s the Cairo derby with Al Ahly and Zamalek, the Croatian chaos of Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split or Turkey''s Intercontinental derby with Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, these clashes are a potent mix of fanatical zealot, political rally and crazed ultras preparing for war.Showcasing and detailing football''s great games, names and most memorable moments, Bollen has penned an important work on classic derbies and epic rivalries.

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Book SynopsisChaos, Controversy and THAT Kung-Fu Kick is the astonishing story of the most eventful season in the history of the Premier League.Not only was there a final-day showdown for the title between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, but there was scandal and controversy throughout. From George Graham's removal from the bench at Highbury, to Paul Merson confronting his demons, a managerial sack race like no other, and the unforgettable sight of Eric Cantona's flying boot connecting with a fan in the Selhurst Park crowd, the season was like no other.On the pitch, Kevin Keegan's Newcastle set the pace before Manchester United and Blackburn began their assault on the title. It was a season defined by strikers. There was Shearer and Sutton at Ewood Park, Fowler at Anfield, Klinsmann at Spurs and a blockbuster move that took Andy Cole to Old Trafford.This season provides the ultimate story of football chaos.

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Book SynopsisThe compelling story of former footballer, coach, manager and director John Sainty. John had begun working on his autobiography with football writer Neil Vacher before his sudden death in 2023. Determined to do John's story justice, Neil brought this labour of love to fruition with the help of John's former colleagues.

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Book SynopsisAn Arsenal Life is the story of the lost world of Arsenal's post-war history told through the lens of lifelong super-fan Martin Wengrow, a friend and confidant to legendary players and managers from the 1960s to the late 1990s. The kind of access Martin enjoyed would be impossible in today's game. This is his Arsenal life!

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Book SynopsisFrom the earliest FA Cup finals in the 1870s between teams of former public schoolboys to the glittering world of 21st-century Champions League matches contested by squads of millionaires, The Times has been at pitchside to write the history of football as it has happened.It is story of great matches: Hungary’s historic victory over England at Wembley in 1953, Manchester United’s triumph over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final, Brazil’s thrashing of Italy in the 1970 World Cup final, Liverpool’s remarkable recovery to win the Champions League in Istanbul in 2005. It is a story of dazzling individual performances: Stanley Matthews finally winning an FA Cup winners’ medal at Wembley in 1953, Bobby Moore giving a masterclass in the art of defending for England against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo’s virtuoso performance as Real Madrid won the 2017 Champions League. It is a story of national highs and lows, from Wembley in 1966 when England ruled the world after defeating West Germany to the humiliation of losing to Iceland in the 2016 European Championship.But above all it is a story of great players, great managers and great personalities in a sport that grips the attention of the world like no other.

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Book SynopsisAn estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless.1.6 billion live in sub-standard housing.But how can such a simple game like football tackle such a complex problem? Mel Young and Peter Barr tell the story of the million homeless people in 70 countries who have taken part in the Homeless World Cup since it was founded in 2003 and the positive impact it has on the players and everyone else involved, including spectators. From refugees to drug addicts, orphans and the poorest of the poor, to homeless people from the world's richest countries, we read about the moving human drama behind the event and find out how a ball can change the world.Home Game provides an insight into the birth of the Homeless World Cup and how it has become such a global phenomenon, by looking at more than just facts. It shows how the power of sport can help excluded people transform their own lives and how the event has transformed attitudes to homelessness.Trade ReviewPraise for The Homeless World Cup:When people have a bad deal in life and things haven't been going their way, one of the ways they can get self-esteem back is through sports. The Homeless World Cup does that, and it also puts on the agenda that homelessness is a global issue. We all love football and we all hate homelessness – it's a no-brainer. Irvine Welsh Novelist and Ambassador for the Homeless World CupAll over the world, we've got to end homelessness. Everyone should have a home. It's a right and not a privilege. People treat the homeless as if they're sub-human. In order to overcome this discrimination, we have to unite against homelessness as we did when we fought apartheid. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, speaking at the Homeless World Cup in Cape Town (2006)The week-long tournament in Cardiff provided an incredible platform: for the players to demonstrate their skill and passion; for the public to engage with the tournament and with the varied debate and discussion that sat alongside football. The tournament generated a huge amount of positive goodwill in Cardiff and beyond, and the work to harness this and take it forward into a positive, lasting legacy, has already begun. MICHAEL SHEEN, Actor and Homeless World Cup ChampionI’m extremely proud to be joining the Homeless World Cup as a Champion. I’m excited to combine my passion for the game alongside the powerful work the Homeless World Cup does. Not only are they raising the issue of homelessness but actively doing something about it. CRISTINA RODLO, Actress and Homeless World Cup ChampionI didn’t think there could be anything better than the World Cup, but here it is: The Homeless World Cup! The only thing better than football in my eyes, is football that helps people. HERO FIENNES TIFFIN, Actor and Homeless World Cup Champion The Homeless World Cup demonstrates the power of sport to bring people together and change lives for the better, something which I saw for myself first-hand when the tournament was held in Glasgow in 2016. The positive effect it had on the players lives and the inspiration they took from it was hard to miss. NICOLA STURGEON, Former First Minister of Scotland

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Book SynopsisFrom the co-founder of the SFSA and SFSA resident writer comes a dive into what it is about Scottish football than truly captures us. With contributions from the likes of Henry McLeish, Gordon Duncan, Hugh Carter, Tommy McAllister, Tom Miller, Ben Patterson, Colin Campbell, Alan Thompson – and many, many more – this book takes you from club to club, exploring what it is they love about their local teams and football itself.From Rangers to Falkirk to Dundee United, there is something for every fan of football here. This labour of love will look through not only the history of each of these teams, but the personal story each person has with them. Profits from Truly the People’s Game: Why We Love Scottish Football will be going to support Fans for Foodbanks and the SFSA’s work with Play Soccer Malawi.Scottish football is always a hot topic for fans and those associated. It will also make an ideal gift for any fan this Christmas. Covering a large variety of clubs, any fan can pick up this book and find something of their interest.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewTo play for Hibs during the time of the Turnbull’s Tornadoes was a truly fantastic experience. As a Hibs supporter it was a joy to line up alongside so many great players. I made my debut a short while before Eddie Turnbull joined the club in 1971, but he made me a player, and I owe everything I achieved in the game to him. – ALEX CROPLEY

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Book SynopsisAn engaging set of stories from Andrew Christophers, delving into the emotional rollercoaster of kids' football.

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Book SynopsisUntil now, the UEFA European Championship has never had the full-length history it deserves. Euro Summits changes all that: a sprawling, detailed and hugely readable account of the world's second-biggest footballing event. From Netzer to Nedved, Panenka to Platini, Rooney to Ronaldo, this is the ultimate story of the Euros.

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Book SynopsisWings of Change explores how the world's biggest energy drinks business influenced football. After taking over Austria Salzburg and changing their crest, colours and name, the project went to New York, Leipzig, Sao Paulo and Sogakope. Despite the backlash, Red Bull have established themselves as a global force in football.

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Book Synopsis Journey into the Unknown explores the early years and development of pan-European football competition alongside changing British attitudes to overseas teams.There was once a belief in Britain that England and Scotland were among the leaders in the development of football and therefore de facto champions of the game. But when UEFA introduced a competition for Europe's top clubs, the Brits got a rude shock. It soon became clear that sides like Real Madrid, AC Milan and Benfica possessed more technically gifted players, and that Football League clubs had much to learn.This fascinating book: Examines the development of pan-European football competitions, from the Mitropa Cup and Latin Cup to the introduction of the European Cup in 1955 Explores the reluctance of England to get involved, from the stand-off with FIFA to the Football League denying Chelsea the chance to enter the first European Cup Covers Scotland's early adventures, with Hibernian the first club to play in European competition and Rangers making early strides Looks at Manchester United's early years in Europe, ending with the Munich tragedy in 1958, including Sir Matt Busby's role in encouraging British involvement Includes how Europe influenced clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, the first English trophy in 1963, Celtic's success in 1967 and Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, Cup Winners' Cup successes and Liverpool's domination of Europe Turns the spotlight on British xenophobia and the threat of playing abroad, with violence on and off the pitch and suggestions of cheating Discover how European club competition became an exciting spectacle that opened the football community's eyes to just what was possible. Scotland and England gained a foothold in Europe, but things took a disastrous turn with the Heysel Stadium tragedy in 1985.

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Book SynopsisBrendan Madden delves into archives and secret files, and speaks to those who were there, to uncover Spanish football's most incredible hidden stories. This meticulously researched anthology offers a vivid, deeply human glimpse into Spanish football and the culture, politics and history that shaped it.

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Book SynopsisFootball for the Soul takes you on a journey through the European game, from Bilbao to Berlin, Paris, Naples, Amsterdam and beyond. With dozens of interviews and insight from players, fans, directors and journalists, the book discovers what it is we really love about the game, what makes it special and why it matters so much.

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Book SynopsisForget PSG. Red Star is the biggest (and coolest) football club in Paris. But it might not live to tell the tale. Formed by Jules Rimet in 1897, Red Star Paris is one of the world's oldest clubs, with a proud history and an underdog spirit but a controversial takeover has pitted fans against club in a fight for the original rebel team.

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Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT GIFT FOR FOOTBALL FANSThere's no one quite like Klopp. Players love him, Liverpool fans love him - even those who should hate him, want a hug from him. He's charismatic, charming, a master tactician and his unrivalled passion for his team and the game has made him one of football's most beloved personalities.So, let's face it, in these uncertain times, we all could do with being a bit more like Klopp. The perfect gift for any football fan in your life; from how to make the perfect dinner-party klopptails to cultivating your Top of the Klopps playlist - this is a celebration of football's greatest manager and a guide to winning in your own life.'All of us have to do whatever we can to protect one another. This should be the case all the time in life, but in this moment I think it matters more than ever.' - Jurgen Klopp

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Book SynopsisMost Manchester City supporters regard Colin Bell as their club's best ever player. He graced the midfield during their greatest years as they won all domestic and European honours, and represented England 48 times before a serious knee injury ended his career prematurely when he was just 29.Now, in this revealing autobiography, 'King Colin' has opened up. He talks about never knowing his mother, who died when he was a baby, and of being brought up by his aunt and then his father and older sister. He then leads us through the glory years, singles out his greatest opponents and compares the modern game with the era he dominated, before sharing his views on the infamous tackle in a Manchester derby that ended his footballing dreams. In a remarkable development, he reveals for the first time his private battle against cancer and explains how this book has helped to save his life.With tributes from the likes of Malcolm Allison, Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Bobby Charlton, Colin Bell - Reluctant Hero is the story of a footballer whose brilliance on the field demanded adulation but who was never comfortable in the spotlight. A player who truly preferred to let his feet do the talking.Trade ReviewWritten in much the same way Bell played the game - effectively but with great humility * The Times *A likeable trawl through the life of the great Manchester City midfielder * Daily Telegraph *Because he hasn't hawked his ancestors around the after-dinner circuit for three decades, the book contains many fresh tales * FourFourTwo *'Candid and entertaining' * Programme Monthly *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDSSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2016 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR'This football book is about something even more important than the "beautiful game"; it is a story of the human spirit.' - Mick Hume, The Times Adrian Doherty was not a typical footballer. For one thing, he was blessed with extraordinary talent. Those who played alongside and watched him in the Manchester United youth team in the early 1990s insist he was as good as Ryan Giggs - possibly even better. Giggs, who played on the opposite wing, says he is inclined to agree.Doherty was also an eccentric - by football standards, at least. When his colleagues went to Old Trafford to watch the first team on Saturday afternoons, he preferred to take the bus into Manchester to go busking. He wore second-hand clothes, worshipped Bob Dylan, read about theology and French existentialism and wrote songs and poems. One team-mate says "it was like having Bob Dylan in a No 7 shirt".On his 17th birthday, Doherty was offered a five-year contract - unprecedented for a United youngster at that time - and told by Alex Ferguson that he was destined for stardom. But what followed over the next decade is a tale so mysterious, so shocking, so unusual, so amusing but ultimately so tragic, that you are left wondering how on earth it has been untold for so long.The stories of Doherty's contemporaries, that group of Manchester United youngsters who became known as the "Class of '92", are well known. Giggs ended up as the most decorated player in United's history; David Beckham became the most recognisable footballer on the planet; Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and others are household names. The story you don't know is about the player who, having had the world at his feet, died the day before his 27th birthday following an accident in a canal in Holland.Trade ReviewMagnificently researched and superbly crafted * Belfast Telegraph *Brilliant * Daily Mail *A sincere, elegant reflection on a young man touched by genius * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisBen Smith: Professional footballer. Recognise the name? Of course you don't. That's because most of Smith's years in the game were spent outside the vaunted, big-money environs of the Premier League - and this sporting memoir is all the more entertaining as a result.1995: an adolescent Ben arrives at the training ground of one of England's biggest clubs to begin his journey and realise his dream of playing top-flight professional football. Aged just sixteen, he shares pre-season sessions at Arsenal with the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright. Surely this is the start of a stellar career?Instead, the next seventeen years saw the bright young star descend the ranks from Highbury to obscurity. With seasons playing for the likes of Reading, Yeovil, Southend, Hereford, Shrewsbury and Weymouth - and a career including three promotions, one relegation and some very memorable FA Cup games - Ben's story is one of a quintessential journeyman footballer.Candidly describing the negotiations, insecurities, injuries, relocations, personal implications and wet Saturday afternoons playing in front of 500 people, Journeyman offers a unique insight into the unvarnished life of a lower-league player - so far removed from the stories of pampered Premiership stars - as well as documenting the many teammates, opponents, managers and coaches who left an indelible mark on Ben's eclectic career. Refreshingly unsentimental and often hilarious, Smith's story is essential reading for all true fans of the not-always-so-beautiful game.Trade ReviewPut down the latest predictable ghost written life story of a pampered Premier League star for this eye opening chronicle. John Richardson, Sunday Express 5/5 The playmaker lifts the lid on lower-league life at Hereford, Crawley and beyond. FourFourTwo

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Book SynopsisThis book is a complete match-by-match statistical record of the European Football Championship from its beginning as "The European Nations Cup" in 1958 through to the Final match of the 2000 series. It details every game played in both the qualification and final sections of the first 11 series of the tournament. A further book covering the later series right up to the 2016 Final which is also compiled by Dirk Karsdorp, is now available.

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Book SynopsisCovering all 55 UEFA member countries, this is a statistical yearbook of both domestic & International football during the 2018-19 season. In addition to full line-ups & stats for International games it contains detailed information of games played in the top divisions of each country, final tables and much more.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains a complete match-by-match statistical record of every game played in the UEFA Europa League from the first game played in the qualifiers for the 2021 competition through to the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final.

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Book SynopsisWatford FC On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Hornets diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's formation in 1881 through to the Premier League era, the Vicarage Road faithful have witnessed promotions and relegations, breathtaking Cup runs and title tilts - all featured here. Timeless greats such as John Barnes, Luther Blissett and Tony Coton, John McCelland, Ross Jenkins and Duncan Welbourne all loom larger than life. Revisit 27 August 1927, Watford's first game in blue after changing from black-and-white stripes. 15th April 1969: victory over Plymouth gained the club's first promotion to the second tier. Or 14th May 1983, when Watford beat Division One champions Liverpool in the season's final game to claim runners-up spot!

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Book SynopsisAt the beginning of April 2015, newly-promoted Leicester City were seven points adrift at the foot of the Premier League. What happened next was truly extraordinary. Not only did Leicester pull off one of the great escapes to survive in the top flight but they continued their form into the following season. With four games remaining, they stand on the edge of history. This is the story of their season as seen through the eyes of the supporters who have followed them up and down the country with an increasing sense of wonder.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThere are few football clubs in the world that attract as much interest in the modern game as Chelsea. Whether it is the latest observations from former coach Maurizio Sarri, his successor Frank Lampard, big-money transfer targets, the style of play or results in Europe, everybody thinks they know what's happening – or at least has an opinion on it. The arrival in 2003 of Russian billionaire tycoon Roman Abramovich as owner turned a glamorous club with a long history of under-achievement, into an international powerhouse. After one championship in 99 years, the Blues have, in a dozen years, won five Premier League titles, plus the UEFA Champions League, two UEFA Europa League titles, five FA Cups and three Football League Cups. The club always was a magnet for well-known names – vaudeville legend George Robey played for the Pensioners in the club's earliest days – and, in the modern era, Stamford Bridge has become home to a dazzling array of world stars. From Ron 'Chopper' Harris and Ken Bates through Ruud Gullit, Roberto Di Matteo and Glenn Hoddle to Jose Mourinho, John Terry, Zola, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, there is no lack of characters to draw on for quotes. Table of ContentsChampions of England • Champions of Europe • Cup Kings of Kings Road • The Special One • War of Words • Manager speak • Player Power • The Good Old Days.

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Book SynopsisFootball fans love nothing more than to read about their favourite teams. Although this book is aimed at young teenagers they will delight all ages with their mixture of funny and enlightening stories and will give hours of pleasure discovering quirky facts about your favourite team. Each title is also augmented with a selection of sketches by the young sketch artist Becky Welton that depict some of the stories within.

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Book Synopsis

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