Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisSince his first book was published in 2012, The Secret Footballer has been able to take the reader behind the scenes of footballers'' lives like no other player has been able, or will ever be able, to do. Anonymity has been a potent weapon in revealing the real world of football stars, and five years on, he has now penned the work that all his fellow professionals have been urging him to do from the start, The Secret Footballer: What Goes on Tour. And it isn''t going to stay on tour any more...From Marbella and Ibiza to Dubai and Las Vegas, The Secret Footballer lays bare the worst, most embarrassing and most hilarious excesses of these fit and mostly fickle young men whose million-pound salaries, to use his own words, ''open up a host of recreational opportunities''. Fuelled by rampaging desires for sex, drugs, booze and rock''n''roll, these footballers think up ever more extreme ways of splashing the cash, and needless to say, it doesn''t always end well...

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Book SynopsisFootball lies at the heart of popular culture in both England and Italy. It is played, watched, written about and talked to death by millions virtually every day of the year. But how do the characteristics of England and Italy affect the game in these two footballing nations? Do the national stereotypes of Italians as passionate, stylish lotharios and the English as cold-hearted eccentrics still hold true when they kick a ball around? In The Italian Job, for the first time, a footballer of the first rank, Gianluca Vialli, in conjunction with sportswriter and broadcaster Gabriele Marcotti, tackles this debate head on. Uniquely positioned across both the English and the Italian games, they provide a fascinating and highly controversial commentary on where football is now and where it''s headed. And they have invited some of the biggest names in the sport to join in their discussion. Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Sven Goran Eriksson, Fabio Capello and MarcTrade ReviewThe book is essentially a memoir but with the aid of some really interesting interviews...it gives some astonishing insights into the workings of the modern game * GQ Style *The Italian Job reveals how rival cultures in England and abroad are reflected on the pitch * The Times *Gianluca Vialli's new book is an interesting comparison of sporting attitudes here and on the Continent - To the Italian player, football is a job: to the English one, it's a game * The Observer *...this fascinating book that analyses the difference between English and Italian football...The Italian Job tackles the questions which inform football debate in England and Italy - from the tactical and technical to the cultural and sociological * Italia *An early contender for this year's literary prizes in sport * Sunday Tribune *

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Book SynopsisImmaculately written, inspiring, sad and elegiac.' Daily TelegraphWith a new introduction by David PeaceDuncan Edwards played his first game for Manchester United at the age of fifteen and Walter Winterbottom, then England manager, called him ''the spirit of British football''. On 15-a-week, Edwards was the most prized of the Busby Babes. Then in February 1958 came Munich.Half a decade later George Best represented United reborn. ''Georgie'' of the boutiques and dolly birds; ''El Beatle'' of the European Cup in ''68 and European Player of the Year; in the opinion of Pele, the most naturally talented footballer that ever lived. Retired at 27 and reduced to the role of Chelsea barfly and tabloid perennial; George, where did it all go wrong?

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Book SynopsisScheisse! recounts the extraordinary story of Union Berlin, the German Bundesliga's most spirited football club, interwoven with a witty history of contemporary Berlin.Trade Review'Fascinating' Daily Mail'A wonderful journey into the heart of a very unique club' Raphael Honigstein'The history and culture of a special football club deserve a special kind of chronicling – and Holden has executed it to perfection' Patrick Barclay'An engrossing portrait' Philip Oltermann'For the first time, Scheisse is a good thing! A captivating read on one of the most unique clubs in world football' Archie Rhind-Tutt'A beautifully crafted set of stories that reveal a personal history of one of Germany’s most special clubs and cities' Jonathan Harding'Holden superbly captures the myth, history and spirit that make Union so very special and beloved' Andreas Michaelis'A fascinating tale that is expertly told' Adam Bate'A must-read for any football romantic, regardless of where you're from and what team you support' Cristian Nyari

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Book SynopsisIn an era of superstar prima donnas, Stuart Pearce''s total commitment on the pitch earned him the affection of football fans everywhere, who nicknamed him Psycho. He will forever be remembered for two penalties - one missed and scored - for England, but there is so much more to him than that. This book reveals the fascinating story of one of football''s greatest personalities. PSYCHO is as honest and straightforward as the man himself.Trade ReviewPsycho was no.6 in the Observer and no.7 in the Daily and Sunday Telegraph bestseller listsRightly a big seller because the former England captain has had a long and varied career and has always displayed a nice line in dry humour * David Lacey, Guardian *Unputdownable ... Pearce's honesty shines through * Sarah Edworthy, Daily Telegraph *Typically honest * Stephen Moss, Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''I was 12th man for England against Wales at Wembley. Within a few minutes, the Welsh half-back broke his collar bone. They had no reserves and I as the only spare player to hand. That''s how I made my international debut - for Wales.'' - Stan Mortensen, Blackpool and England.When Britain declared war on Germany in September 1939, football came to an abrupt halt. Large crowds were banned, stadiums were given over to military use, most players joined up. Then it was realised that if victory was the national goal, soccer could help - and football went to war. For the next six years the game became hugely important to Britain. Boosting morale among servicemen, munitions workers and beleaguered citizens alike - and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for war funds. It was a game with plenty of human stories. Some footballers were dubbed ''PT commandos'' or ''D-Day dodgers''. Others, however, saw action. Pre-war heroes on the pitch became wartime heroes off it. This book captures the atmosphere of the time and tells the story of a unique period in football''s history.

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Book SynopsisFrom Ronnie Radford to Wayne Rooney, John Motson''s knowledge and passion for football are unrivalled. In Motty, he shares his story for the first time and guides us through a career which has spanned forty years and over 2,000 matches. From reporting on the exploits of the giant-killing Hereford team in the 1972 FA Cup that made his name on Match of the Day, to the estimated twenty-million viewers who tuned in to his commentary on England''s match with Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, Motson''s time in the commentary box has delivered some unforgettable anecdotes. In dozens of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, we hear about the greatest football matches he has watched and the greatest players and managers he has been privileged to know. Many of them are football icons; Bill Shankly, Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough, Alf Ramsey, and Matt Busby, amongst countless others.Motty is essential reading for anyone who has grown up with the undisputed voice of footbalTrade ReviewMotson has been the finest television football commentator for the best part of 25 years, and perhaps ever -- Rod Liddle * The Times *Football's grand master of the microphone -- Lee Clayton * Daily Mail *Motty's sheepskin coat has become a trademark almost as familiar as Kenneth Wolstenholme's "They think it's all over ... it is now" as Geoff Hurst completed his World Cup Final hat-trick in '66 * Harry Harris *John Motson is the nation's-favourite, statto-mad, sheepskin-wearing voice of football -- Barney Ronay * Guardian *We'd be lost without Motty's unique insights. * Martin Kelner *

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Book SynopsisIn We Are Celtic Supporters Richard Purden examines what created the culture, ideas and beliefs around Celtic football club. In new and exclusive interviews with supporters, he explores the Celtic way of life and the rich traditions that give context to much of the support while deconstructing some myths along the way. As a travelling supporter he visits a variety of fans in locations such as New York, Spain, Germany, Italy and various parts of the UK. He talks to well-known Celtic supporters such as James MacMillan about the often misrepresented Catholic roots, to Pat Nevin about why he fell out of love with the club and to a number of well-known rock ''n'' rollers such as Noel Gallagher, Bobby Gillespie and Johnny Marr. We Are Celtic Supporters gives the inside story of how major events in Celtic''s history have shaped the identity of the fans, and what it really means to follow this unique football club.Trade Review'We Are Celtic supporters hits you in a flourish of green and white...you don't need to be a Celtic supporter to find this book an absorbing read' * John Gibson, Edinburgh Evening News *'The book is an incisive, thoughtful and necessarily partisan look at one of the world's most recognisable clubs' * football-books.com *'The book of the year... The book, like Celtic, is more than football' * Simon Dames, Catholic Times *'There is no excuse if you haven't read this book' * Nathan Amin, TalkCeltic.net *'Hoops fans are well represented in this heart-warming book... He seeks out the people, passion and humour and what it means to support the club' * John Murray, Leith F.M *'This is a terrific, well written and beautifully pitched book, something football fans, especially Celtic fans have been waiting for; for a long time' * Andrew O'Hagan, author of The Missing *'We Are Celtic supporters hits you in a flourish of green and white...you don't need to be a Celtic supporter to find this book an absorbing read' * Edinburgh Evening News *'The book is an incisive, thoughtful and necessarily partisan look at one of the world's most recognisable clubs' * football-books.com *'The book of the year... The book, like Celtic, is more than football' * Simon Dames, Catholic Times *'An excellent book which is part social history and part contemporary snapshot of the diverse nature of the Celtic support' * Not The View *'There is no excuse if you haven't read this book' * Nathan Amin, TalkCeltic.net *'The Celtic soul is all about the support & you'll feel & touch it here!' * Matt McGlone, Editor of the Alternative View magazine and author of Emotionally Celtic *'Hoops fans are well represented in this heart-warming book... He seeks out the people, passion and humour and what it means to support the club' * John Murray, Leith F.M *

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Book SynopsisStars of All Time highlights both iconic pioneers of world football, including Pelé, Johan Cruyff, and Maradona, and more recent all-star players, such as Messi and Ronaldo. Young readers will learn about where each player grew up, how he made it to the top, and what makes his playing style unique. Filled with facts and illustrations, showcasing the most exciting players of the past and present, this book will wow both the football novice and the passionate fan.Trade ReviewPraise for World Soccer Legends "These books address a largely unfilled niche: short, highly readable biographies of contemporary soccer stars. The texts are printed over and around voluminous, richly printed photographs and include many pages of scoring statistics and league standing. ... Frequent references to great players of the past--Maradona, Pele, Cruyff, Eusebio--lend the books a welcome historical context. ... These entries are excellent."--School Library JournalTable of ContentsPelé Messi Maradona Cruyff Puskás Garrincha Di Stéfano Ronaldo Zidane Beckenbauer Ronaldo Platini Eusébio Zico Müller Van Basten Yashin Ronaldinho Best Zlatan Best in Brazil Best in South America Best in the UK Best in Europe Best in Italy Best in Africa

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Book SynopsisDavid Conn's journey from supporter to sceptic - an impassioned look at what modern football means for its fans.Trade Review'The best football book I have read for a long time' Sam Wallace, Independent. * Independent *'Superb. Nick Hornby meets Michael Crick' Rob Draper, Mail on Sunday. * Mail on Sunday *'A must read' Tony Evans, The Times. * The Times *Table of ContentsIn the Heart of Europe. Sky Blue. Abu Dhabi United. 'The Joy Was Just Coming'. His Excellency the Chairman. Ghost Town. Richer Than God. Swales out. Forward with Franny. The Money Game. The Club Which Ate Itself. In the Money. The Council House. There's Only One Frank Sinatra. Welcome to Manchester. Manchester Thanks You, Sheikh Mansour. The People's Game. The Beautiful Game. The Colossus. We're Not Really Here. Champions. Bibliography. Acknowledgements. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis illustrated text introduces the reader to the mad-cap supporters of Scotland's national soccer team, the "Tartan Army" - a harder core, more eccentric type of travelling soccer fan - and follows the Army on their expeditions around the world during the 1990s.Trade ReviewI commend this book to all football supporters... You are left once more feeling slightly proud that these stupid creatures are your own countrymen. - GRAHAM SPIERS, SCOTLAND ON SUNDAYWhat have you done to Scotland's image abroad? - ANDY ROXBURGHHow many of these drunken comic Scotsmen would you let in your front garden, never mind your front room? - MICHAEL KELLY, former Lord Provost of Glasgow, DAILY MAILTable of ContentsCome awa with me; dispatches from the Russian forest; save the whale; the camper van from hell; free team Ritchie; Jimmie Hill is, William Wallace isnae; a boot in the baltics; Monte Carlo and nearly bust; there's no such thing as an ugly Swede.

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Book SynopsisLeeds United's biggest crowd of the 2004-05 season was for a testimonial match. The 37,889 who packed into Elland Road were paying tribute to Lucas Radebe, the South African international who so captured the hearts of Leeds fans that they still chant his name years after he retired. This book tells his story.

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Book SynopsisThe Times Sports Books of the Year'Cracking read . . . loved it' – Piers Morgan'Packed with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names' – The MirrorWith a foreward from Alan Shearer.There are just a handful of people who have been ever-present for the thirty years of the Premier League, but only one person has been at the very epicentre for the entire period: Geoff Shreeves. From signalling the very first ball to be kicked on Sky’s Premier League coverage to facing down Sir Alex Ferguson’s wrath (on countless occasions), Geoff is an integral part of the football fabric, respected by everybody in the game while still asking the toughest questions. Geoff’s interviews with Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsène Wenger, Frank Lampard and Alan Shearer have become the stuff of legend, but it is his close personal relationships with the game’s star names that really sets him apart.PackTrade ReviewWhen it’s the showpiece game of the weekend and it’s on Sky Sports, you know Geoff will be there. No one handles the big moments better -- Jordan HendersonThe man who asks the questions now gives the answers -- Henry Winter, Chief Football Writer for The TimesA legend of television journalism -- Arsène WengerThroughout my career, Geoff is always there and always fair. As a player and a manager, you can’t ask for more than that -- Frank LampardGeoff has always been professional, honest and authentic in all the time we’ve worked together. He has a special way of connecting with his line of questioning -- Steven GerrardGood times. Bad times. Who is always there? Geoff is always there and he does his job perfectly -- Jose MourinhoPacked with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names * The Mirror *Cracking read by a brilliant reporter – loved it -- Piers MorganSometimes, all that is needed is a bit of fun, and for that you can turn to Cheers, Geoff, by Geoff Shreeves, who is generous with his anecdotes * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1 Part 1: The Xs and Os of Fantasy Football: Just the Basics, Please 9 Chapter 1: The Reality of Fantasy Football: What’s It All About? 11 Chapter 2: Just Score, Baby: The Name of the Fantasy Game 29 Chapter 3: Finding a League Right for You 43 Chapter 4: Preparing for Your Fantasy Draft 63 Part 2: Advanced Scouting and Drafting Secrets 91 Chapter 5: Scouting Running Backs and Quarterbacks 93 Chapter 6: Scouting Wide Receivers and Tight Ends for Starters and FLEX 111 Chapter 7: Scouting Kickers and Defenders 127 Chapter 8: Incorporating Important Draft Strategies into Your Game 141 Chapter 9: Considering Other Draft Tactics to Build a Winning Team 175 Part 3: Let the Games Begin: In-Season Strategy Guide 191 Chapter 10: Setting Your Weekly Starting Lineup 193 Chapter 11: Acquiring Players via Free Agency, Waivers, and Trades 215 Chapter 12: Finishing Strong: Down the Stretch to the Fantasy Playoffs 243 Part 4: Daily Fantasy Football: A New Draft Every Week 257 Chapter 13: Place Your Bets: Fantasy Football Style 259 Chapter 14: Finding Your Game: Standard Contest Types 273 Chapter 15: Virtual Salary Cap: Advanced Play Strategies 293 Chapter 16: Scoring the Right DFS Provider: FanDuel versus DraftKings and More. 307 Part 5: The Part of Tens 321 Chapter 17: Ten Quick Fixes to Make the Day after Your Draft 323 Chapter 18: Ten Rookie Mistakes to Avoid 329 Chapter 19: Ten Daily Fantasy Tips and Tricks 335 Index 343

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Book SynopsisThe story of Leeds Unitedâs roller coaster ride through the 21st century from Champions League semi-finals to financial mismanagement, boardroom wrangles and relegation â and hope of their eventual return to the top tier.

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Book SynopsisWITH AN EXCLUSIVE Q&A BETWEEN JIM AND KAVEH FOR THE AUDIOBOOK''The best football book of the year. A must-read for anyone who loves football'' Harry RedknappFootball used to be a sport. Then it became a business. Now it''s a whole industry.For three months every year football clubs buy and sell human beings. People who are so good at their job that others are willing to pay millions and millions of pounds to work with them, and for good reason; the right deal can help you win football''s top prizes while the wrong deal can cost you your job and bankrupt your club. It''s a fast-paced, at times murky and cutthroat world worth billions - and Jim White and Kaveh Solhekol have been at the heart of it for decades.In Deadline Day, Jim and Kaveh, two leading transfer market experts, take us behind the scenes of this uniquely tense and secretive world where the winner takes it all. They uncover what really happens in this game withi

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Book SynopsisLess than a decade ago, a warlock sat in a cloud of incense in the car park at Rotherham United''s tatty old Millmoor Ground, chanting incantations and putting a curse on the Millers. Since then, the South Yorkshiremen have plunged to the brink of losing their place in the Football League, been docked a bagful of points for financial irregularities, and came within minutes of extinction. Whether the warlock had anything to do with it all is anyone''s guess, but the Millers were certainly in trouble. Rotherham United are now, a few short years later, playing in a brand-new GBP20 million stadium and looking to power their way back up the league. In May 2013 they were promoted to League One. It''s been a real roller-coaster ride for the club, from their humble beginnings at the dawn of the game to today, but the years have certainly produced a legion of stories and characters - and will no doubt continue to do so. Rotherham United: A Pictorial History tells the story of the Millers, illustrated in full colour with pictures from the Rotherham Advertiser''s archives.

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Book SynopsisFor the first time in detail, the story of the formation of the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

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Book SynopsisA high-quality, full-colour pictorial history of the Owls, illustrated throughout.

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SIR ALEX FERGUSON is one of the most admired and respected managers in the history of the beautiful game. Sir Alex Ferguson: Fifty Defining Fixtures presents a completely new perspective on the longest-serving manager of Manchester United. Covering his complete career as a player and a manager, this book highlights the games that projected the boy from the Glasgow district of Govan to the worldwide phenomenon that was Manchester United. From his Scottish Football League debut with the amateurs of Queens Park at Stranraer to his final game as manager of Manchester United at West Bromwich Albion, this fascinating book recaptures the many highs, and also a few lows, of a memorable and trophy-strewn career. It is the Sir Alex Ferguson story with a difference: fifty fixtures that defined the career of an ordinary footballer, who went on to become the most successful British manager ever.

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the Hillsborough disaster, drawing on eyewitness accounts and interviews with those who were there and those most affected.

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Book SynopsisThe complete and definitive history of the Whites.

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Book SynopsisFranz Beckenbauer – known as ‘the Kaiser’ – was Germany's greatest-ever footballer and one of the game's biggest icons of all time, a World Cup winner as player and manager. But what is often described as a blessed life was in fact a rollercoaster ride with stunning highs and bitter lows. He rose to fame at the 1966 World Cup in England, where after West Germany’s final defeat the British press marvelled at the grace of a ‘beaten but proud Prussian officer’. Yet there was nothing Prussian about the Bavarian boy who flouted authority, disregarded rules and viewed the traditional German work ethic with the disdain of someone to whom everything comes naturally. After a glittering early career at Bayern Munich – captaining them to three European Cup victories and pioneering the playmaking libero role in central defence – Beckenbauer made a controversial move to thTrade Review‘Authoritative and affectionate, yet never blinded to its subject’s flaws… More than just another footballer biography: it is a rich and scrupulously researched case study of the complexities of national mythmaking and the caprice of celebrity’ * Times Literary Supplement *'The best and most focused book about the greatest German player, faults and all. A diamond-quality read' * Soccer America Confidential *

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Book SynopsisWhen Cyrille Regis became one of the first black players to be selected for the full England team, he was sent a package in the mail. Inside it was a silver bullet and a note that read: You'll get one of these through your knees if you step on our Wembley turf.' In the 1978/79 football season Regis'' club West Bromwich Albion, an unglamorous and little publicised club from the West Midlands, became the first British football team to field three black players: Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson. They did so against the backdrop of the most divisive and poisonous racial tension in the UK's history a time when the National Front movement was at its most virulent. This book will tell the story of a defining and groundbreaking chapter in the history of British football and the country as a whole. The story is one about sport but also as much one about social change.

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Book SynopsisAn all-encompassing, chronological guide to football''s World Cup, one of the world''s few truly international events, in good time for the June 2018 kick-off in Russia. From its beginnings in 1930 to the modern all-singing, all-dancing self-styled ''greatest show on Earth'', every tournament is covered with features on major stars and great games, as well as stories about some less celebrated names and quirky stats and intriguing essays. Holt''s focus is very much on what takes place on the field, rather than how football is a mirror for economic corruption, or how a nation''s style of play represents a profound statement about its people, or how a passion for football can lift underpaid, socially marginalised people out of poverty. From the best World Cups, in 1958 and 1970, to the worst, in 1962 and 2010, he looks behind the facts and the technical observations to the stories: the mysterious sins of omission; critical injuries to key players; and coaching U-turns.

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Book Synopsis''A gripping account of how Shakhtar Donetsk came to represent embattled Ukraine''s hopes for the future'' Sunday Times''We want to show to the world that we are alive. That we are strong. Not just us - the whole of Ukraine. We are continuing to play. We are continuing to win.'' Darijo Srna''Excellent ... a symbol of Ukrainian resistance'' Ada WordsworthShakhtar Donetsk have not played in their home stadium since 2014. Their matchdays now typically have no crowds, air raid sirens interrupt games and thoughts of and fears for family, friends and hometowns frontline troops loom large in the players'' minds ahead of every game. These are extraordinary times - but Shakhtar is an extraordinary club.Displaced when fighting first began in the Donbas region, and then again when Russia mounted a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this book honours a club - players, coaching staff, management - who choose to play on. I

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Book SynopsisGraeme Souness is a Glasgow Rangers icon, and a Liverpool legend in the same bracket as Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.He has racked up getting on for fifty years in and around the world of professional football. The game has been his life, and his enduring passion.Souness has written a perceptive and opinionated autobiography. It chronicles one of the most successful and colourful careers in the history of British football. But it also provides an intriguing assessment of the game which has dominated his existence, drawing extensively on his incredibly rich and varied experiences as a player, manager and pundit.The result is a shrewd, incisive and hard-hitting memoir, at times tinged with hindsight and regret, which also grapples with many of the major talking points affecting the game today. It is shot through with Souness'' trademark tenacity and wisdom, and with fantastic anecdotes from his glittering career.In many ways, FoTrade ReviewWhen Graeme Souness talks about football there are, naturally enough, frequent reminders of how he played the game. Intelligence and confidence are much in evidence and some subjects are tackled as abrasively as opponents on the field once were. - The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisKieron Dyer''s memoir, Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late, is the first intimate and unsparing portrait of the failures and excesses of the generation of English footballers made rich beyond their wildest dreams by the post-1990 World Cup boom in the game and the explosion of the Premier League. It shares the same brutal honesty and self-awareness of the bestselling No Nonsense by Joey Barton and GoodFella by Craig Bellamy.In the public mind, Kieron Dyer came to symbolise so much of what was self-destructive about a group of football players known collectively as the ''Baby Bentley generation''. Nicknamed ''The King of Bling'' by the tabloid press, Dyer was caught up in many of the scandals that characterised the history of a talented crop of players who promised so much and delivered so little, a generation whose wages and lavish lifestyles began to alienate them from the fans who once worshipped them.The brash young man is gone now, and in his place Trade Reviewilluminating * Daily Mail *Searingly Honest * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe outspoken and hard-hitting autobiography of one of the most highly-rated, recognisable and controversial football referees of modern times.Mark Clattenburg found himself in the centre circle, whistle in hand, at the start of 450 Premier League matches during a highly eventful 13-year career in football''s top flight. He has shaken hands with, issued red and yellow cards to, and been sworn at by hundreds of players. He has been screamed at and shared jokes with dozens and dozens of managers. And he''s felt the wrath of thousands upon thousands of irate fans.His autobiography is the ultimate guide to what it''s really like to be in the referee''s spotlight. It offers numerous intriguing insights into the daily trials and tribulations, the acute stresses and strains, of a top-flight referee. Clattenburg takes the reader into the referee''s room, the players'' tunnel and out on the pitch to experience precisely what a referee goe

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Book Synopsis''pulls no punches'' The Sun''full of eventful tales from the past'' Daily Mail''punchy, earthy ... entertaining stories that capture football in an era long before sanitised PR and Instagram self-promotion'' The IndependentFrom West Ham''s cult hero, Julian Dicks, a hugely entertaining romp through football and the East End of the Eighties and Nineties.''Cult figure'' is a term hardly used in football these days: where have they all gone? In the sterile and corporate modern game, is there room for the mercurial midfielder or the tough-tackling defender or the pot-bellied goal poacher? Rewind two or three decades and British professional football was stuffed to the gunnels with these ''one-offs'': players with bags of talent, yes, but also lorryloads of personality and a hugely relatable quality which meant they''d all be playing Sunday morning park football if they hadn''t become professionals. No med

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining and effervescent history of the English Premier League told through the words and quotations of its players, managers, their contemporaries and the media.Relive the highs and lows, the drama and fun of 25 years of the Premier League through this exceptional compilation, which brings together the very best quotes, comments and soundbites to tell the story of each incident-packed season.Remember Kevin Keegan's on-air meltdown? Or Paolo Di Canio's shove? How about those jaw-on-the-floor goals like Tony Yeboah's volley or Sergio Agüero's last gasp title-winning goal for Manchester City? And what about some of those teams that set the competition alight like swash-buckling Newcastle, all-conquering Manchester United and Arsenal's fabled Invincibles'? All the Premier League's sensational stories, extraordinary incidents and dazzling moments are told here through the voices, views and reflections of the managers and players involved.You Can't Win Anything With Kids<Trade ReviewIt’s been 25 years since the Premier League began and it’s a competition that never ceases to amaze me… Long it may last. Enjoy the book. * Gary Neville *Genuinely a little bit different * TalkSPORT *...crammed with great quotes as it charts the Premier League from its start to Chelsea’s 2017 crown. * Sunday Mirror *Table of ContentsForeword by Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville Introduction Every English Premier League title race (1992/93 – 2016/17)

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Book SynopsisArtfully combining sports journalism with social history and sharp pop culture references, The Mavericks explores 1970s football when a cult group of footballers delivered flair on the pitch and flamboyance off of it. Cocky, coiffured strikers meet David Bowie and Alvin Stardust; Gola boots exchange kicks with A Clockwork Orange and The Likely Lads; Admiral sock tags, platform heels and kipper ties mingle with cod wars, Harrods bombings and three-day weeks. In this, Steen recreates the early Seventies, the era when football joined the vanguard of English youth culture. This personal account revolves around seven Englishmen who followed in the trail blazed by football''s first tabloid star, George Best--Stan Bowles, Tony Currie, Charlie George, Alan Hudson, Rodney Marsh, Peter Osgood and Frank Worthington. Proud individuals amid an increasingly corporate environment, their invention and artistry were matched only by a disdain for authority and convTrade ReviewQuite splendid... just delicious – and brilliantly researched. * The Times *A lovely read, the kind in which you constantly annoy people by reading the funny bits out loud * Irish Post *A great book * Henry Winter *If you enjoyed The Damned United you will savour Rob Steen's The Mavericks, an evocative look at football when the game was enhanced by genuinely edgy entertainers rather than overpaid characterless robots. * Waterstones.com *The Mavericks is irresistible, artfully combining sports journalism with social history and sharp pop-culture references. * Impact *In an era of PR-bleaching and PC-niceties, The Mavericks is an oasis of flair, hair and devil-may-care attitude. Yet beneath Rob Steen also highlights with real poignancy the sometimes grim and earthy reality behind the curtain. This brilliant book remains essential reading for anyone who likes social history with a nice backheel. -- Rick Broadbent * The Times *An evocative work which is given its cutting edge by the author’s success in uncovering the idiosyncrasies that set the fancy dans apart from each other as their mutual non-conformism. * The Independent *Great to see The Mavericks back in print. Wonderful evocation of the early 70s, an era when players weren't afraid to express themselves - on the pitch or in the bar. -- Kevin Mitchell * The Guardian *One of the conundrums of football in the Seventies, now perceived as a golden age by a certain generation, is why did England fail to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cup when a decade before they had been world champions? One of the main reasons is that managers Ramsey then Revie shunned a group of hugely gifted 'Rock and Roll' players - Marsh, Currie, Bowles, Osgood, George, Hudson and Worthington. Rob Steen's book brilliantly gets under the skin of the era both on and off the pitch when the game was more about passion than pound notes. -- Rob Shepherd * talkSPORT *An irreverent and unflinching look back at football in the Seventies * Choice Magazine *For that missing element in a decent football book, the confessional Rob Steen has this down to his customary fine writer's art with The Mavericks. -- Mark Perryman * Philosophy Football *Table of ContentsIntroduction (2020) Introduction (1994) edition 1 Sucking in the Seventies 2 Chairman Alf and the Godfather 3 Gunning for Trouble 4 Blue Was the Cover 5 I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea 6 Queen's Park Arrangers (i) The Jean Genie (ii) The Bookie's Favourites (iii) Dr Heckle and Mr Jive 7 It's Not All Never Afterword Acknowledgements Bibliography By the same author Index About the author

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Book SynopsisA powerful combination of Second World War and British football.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times BestsellerThe exclusive behind-the-scenes story of the Mauricio Pochettino revolution at Spurs, told in his own wordsSince joining the club in 2014, Mauricio Pochettino has transformed Tottenham from underachievers into genuine title contenders. In the process, he has marked himself out as one of the best managers in the world. He has done so by promoting an attacking, pressing style of football and by nurturing home-grown talent, fully endearing himself to the Spurs faithful along the way.Guillem Balagué was granted unprecedented access to Pochettino and his backroom staff for the duration of the 2016-17 season, and was therefore able to draw on extensive interview material with Pochettino, his family, his closest assistants, players such as Dele Alli and Harry Kane, and even a very rare conversation with Daniel Levy to tell the manager''s story in his own words. From Pochettino''s early years as a player and coacTrade ReviewBrave New World: Inside Pochettino's Spurs reads like it is the start of something, a self-aware manager exploring some bold ideas and exciting potential . . . Pochettino comes over, above all, as a man who puts enormous stock in working relationships, trust, and comfort in his environment . . . But mostly there are detailed insights into the impressive workings of a football manager * The Times *Mauricio Pochettino may be the most interesting coach currently working in England, perhaps even Europe. The author is granted unprecedented access to see the inner workings of one of the success stories in the Premier League in recent years * i news, The 10 Best Football Books of 2017 *An essential piece of reading for anyone keen to understand how someone goes about transforming a football club * FourFourTwo *An unparalleled insight into one of the most exciting managers working in football * Independent *

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Book SynopsisObject Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.When is the beautiful game at its most beautiful? How does football function as a lens through which so many view their daily lives? What's right in front of fans that they never see? Football celebrates and scrutinizes the world's most popular sportfrom top-tier professionals to children just learning the game. As an American who began playing football in the 1970s as it gained a foothold in the States, Mark Yakich reflects on his own experiences alongside the sport's social and political implications, its narrative and documentary depictions, and its linguistic idiosyncrasies. Illustrating how football can be at once absolutely vital and only a game, this book will be surprising and insightful for the casual and diehard fan alike.Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.Trade ReviewFootball is Mark Yakich's reflection on not only the sport itself, but on his own experiences alongside it, from the ways it is portrayed, its implications, and even its language. * Buzzfeed *In the times of pandemic soccer, Mark Yakich rediscovered the importance of a harmless disease: fever pitch. His well informed and passionate book on the “beautiful game” is a survival kit. It shows that reading about football can be as intense and joyful as smelling the grass. * JUAN VILLORO is the author of half a dozen novels, including God is Round: Tackling the Giants, Villains, Triumphs, and Scandals of the World's Favorite Game, and a columnist for the newspapers Reforma and El Periódico de Catalunya. In 2004, he received the Herralde Prize for his novel El testigo (The Witness). *New Orleans is my favorite city, and pickup is my favorite thing; naturally, I loved reading about Yakich's hometown game, which serves as a starting point for thoughtful, affectionate reflections on football in all its forms. * Gwendolyn Oxenham, author of Under the Lights and in the Dark: Untold Stories of Women’s Soccer and Finding the Game: Three years, Twenty-five Countries, and the Search for Pickup Soccer *In this lyric study of the sport of football, Mark Yakich invites us to look away from the bright lights of Wembley and the Maracanã to the ordinary, unmaintained pitches where football is doing its most sacred work. Through stories of his own reverie during pick-up games in New Orleans during the height of the pandemic, to memorable lore of football’s eccentric legends, to an etymological survey of the varied global languages of the game, Yakich reveals football’s power to help people realize our interconnectedness - and to restore us. * Benjamin Gucciardi, founder of Soccer Without Borders *Table of Contents1. Introduction to a Slightly New Game 2. A Concession 3. The Name of the Game 4. Popularity, Contests 5. Standstill 6. How to Make a Football 7. Two Games 8. 90-Minute Meds 9. Geisterspiel 10. Pickup 11. The Life-Changing Magic of Three-Touch 12. Of Nutmegs and Fish up a Tree 13. For the Love of a Pretty Move 14. Zone 15. A 21st Century Portrait 16. Zone Painting 17. Future Stronger in Color 18. Reset 19. The Best Seats 20. Hacking, Diving, Hugging 21. Intersectionality 22. Live Football in a Pandemic 23. Child’s Play 24. Assessment Acknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisA Financial Times Sports Books of the Year.Cristiano and Leo is the fascinating account of the lives and rivalry between two of the best footballers to ever play the game, Ronaldo and Messi, by Jimmy Burns the bestselling author of Maradona: The Hand of God.The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has defined football to a generation of fans – everyone has an opinion on who is the greatest.Do you prefer Ronaldo whose work ethic and physique have been honed for one purpose – scoring goals. Or Messi, whose superhuman natural talent means he can do the seemingly impossible with a football.Between them they have scored over 1300 goals, won the Ballon d’Or ten times, and taken the beautiful game to even greater heights. But statistics alone cannot do justice to their skill, athleticism and dedication to stay at the top for so long of one of the most competitive sports in the world.Cristiano and Leo tells their definitive story, from children kicking a ball halfway around the world from each other to facing each other in the epic clash El Clásico, between Real Madrid and Barcelona. This is the essential book to understand one the most compelling rivalries in sporting history.Trade ReviewA thoroughly researched dual biography by the great Jimmy Burns. -- Simon Kuper, author of The Football MenI am eating up this book. The verve with which Burns writes about the power politics and rich supporting characters like Florentino and Ferguson makes it a captivating read. -- Richard Fitzpatrick, author of El Clásico: Barcelona v Real Madrid, Football’s Greatest RivalryBurns is incapable of writing a boring sentence * Irish Times *Table of ContentsSection - i: Prologue Chapter - 1: Madeira Chapter - 2: Rosario Chapter - 3: Rites of Passage: Ronaldo Chapter - 4: Little Big Man: Messi Chapter - 5: Lisbon Star: Ronaldo Chapter - 6: Growing Pains: Messi Chapter - 7: Into the Market: Ronaldo Chapter - 8: The Dwarf: Messi Chapter - 9: The Red Legacy: Ronaldo Chapter - 10: International Break – Euro Blues: Ronaldo Chapter - 11: First Team Calling: Messi Chapter - 12: Manchester Days: Ronaldo Chapter - 13: The Rise of the Hobbit: Messi Chapter - 14: International Break – Diego’s Shadow: Messi Chapter - 15: World Cup Trauma: Ronaldo the Winker Chapter - 16: Kicking On: Ronaldo Chapter - 17: The New Maradona: Messi Chapter - 18: Close Encounters: Messi vs Ronaldo Chapter - 19: Ronaldinho’s Farewell: Messi Chapter - 20: Euro 2008: Ronaldo Under Pressure Chapter - 21: International Break – The Beijing Olympics and Maradona Chapter - 22: Centre Stage: Ronaldo Chapter - 23: The Guardiola Revolution: Messi Chapter - 24: Goodbye Old Trafford, Hello Bernabéu: Ronaldo Chapter - 25: Untouchable: Messi Chapter - 26: International Break – World Cup 2010: Messi Chapter - 27: World Cup 2010: Ronaldo Chapter - 28: Enter Mourinho Chapter - 29: Clásicos: Ronaldo and Messi Chapter - 30: Mourinho Strikes Back Chapter - 31: International Break – Euro 2012: Ronaldo Chapter - 32: Life after Pep and with Mourinho: Messi and Ronaldo Chapter - 33: King Cristiano; Black Dog Messi Chapter - 34: International Break – World Cup Disappointment, National Embarrassment: Messi and Ronaldo Chapter - 35: Enrique vs Ancelotti Chapter - 36: International Break – The 2016 Copa América: Messi Chapter - 37: Rebuilding: Messi and Ronaldo Chapter - 38: International Break – Euro 2016: Ronaldo the Manager Chapter - 39: On Trial: Messi Chapter - 40: Legends: Messi and Ronaldo Chapter - 41: Conclusion Acknowledgements - ii: Acknowledgements Section - iii: Bibliography Section - iv: Notes Index - v: Index

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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. And throughout his first season at Manchester United, he has more than made his mark. He's brought a winning spirit to the club and silverware back to the trophy cabinet.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 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 SynopsisMichael Ray Richardson was a star in the making. After a stellar collegiate career at the University of Montana, where he was voted first team All-Big Sky Conference as a sophomore, junior, and senior, the future seemed bright. Taken fourth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, Richardson was billed as “the next Walt Frazier.” In just his second professional season, he became the third player in NBA history to lead the league in both assists and steals—both Knicks team records. Richardson would also notch four All-Star appearances and twice being named to the All-Defensive team over eight seasons between the Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. But during that time, his time off the court was having a bigger impact on his career than what he was doing on the court. On February 25, 1986, after three violations of the league’s drug policy, NBA commissioner David Stern would ban Richardson from continuing his p

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisAustralian Matildas and World Cup superstar Sam Kerr teams up with Aki Fukuoka to bring young readers this fun and inspiring illustrated series about soccer, school, sport, friendship, dealing with bullies and following your dreams.   Sam Kerr is an Aussie rules football fan through and through. But when she’s excluded from her team she doesn’t know what to do. Netball? No thanks. Chess? Bleugh. Her best friends Dylan and Indi think she should flip from AFL to soccer – and it doesn’t seem so bad at first. The coach is OK. The team seems nice enough … But with Chelsea the school bully on her case and the pressure of learning new rules weighing her down, will it all be too much? Will Sam give up – or will she make the flip? ‘A fun book packed with cool illustrations. It follows themes of family and perseverance that will totes leave you feeling inspired!’ Total Girl

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Book SynopsisWhat's wrong with Football today? In June 2011, Sepp Blatter was elected - uncontested - as president of Fifa once more. Despite attempts to halt the vote amidst allegations and accusations of corruption, the show went on. As How They Stole The Game, David Yallop's classic expose of the dark heart behind the beautiful game showed when it was first published, Football was rotten from the top down. In the book Yallop reveals the story of João Havelenge, Fifa President from 1974 to 1998, the Godfather of football, and how he turned a religion to millions of fans into a multi-billion dollar business, riven with suspicious deals and unexpected payments.Trade ReviewThe authoritative inside account of how world football is run. * Observer *

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Book Synopsis"Reading this playful portrait of Leo Messi reminded me how extraordinary every minute was that I spent by his side." PEP GUARDIOLA SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR In 22 short chapters, acclaimed Catalan writer Jordi Punti explores the beauty, the genius and the obsession of Lionel Messi. He takes us from the near-mythical scenery of a South American footballing youth to the glory and the struggle of a life on the international stage, capturing along the way our enduring desire to relive our experience of the beautiful game. "Jordi Punti's stunning tribute to Lionel Messi will captivate football aficionados as well as fans of fine writing." Ian Sansom, Spectator "This is brilliant - I've been telling everyone about this book." Simon Critchley, author of What We Think About When We Think About Football "There's nobody better to write this book - which doesn't aim to explain Messi but to enjoy him... A joyous read." Simon Kuper, co-author of Soccernomics "An eloquent celebration that can remind us of the thrill of a close encounter with a player whose skills have often led him to be described as 'alien'." David Horspool, Times Literary SupplementTrade Review"Jordi Punti's stunning tribute to Lionel Messi will captivate football aficionados as well as fans of fine writing." Ian Sansom, Spectator "This is brilliant - I've been telling everyone about this book." Simon Critchley, author of What We Think About When We Think About Football "There's nobody better to write this book - which doesn't aim to explain Messi but to enjoy him... A joyous read." Simon Kuper, co-author of Soccernomics "An eloquent celebration that can remind us of the thrill of a close encounter with a player whose skills have often led him to be described as 'alien'." David Horspool, Times Literary Supplement "Punti is one of the greatest Catalan writers and with this book he is at the height of his talents." El Pais "A portrait of Messi that captures his greatness." Revista Detour "A spellbinding, joyous, intoxicating ode to Lionel Messi." Ray Hudson, La Liga commentator

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