Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisMoments That Could Have Changed Football Forever is a detailed study of the 'what-if' moments that have shaped football and what the alternative could have been. The bounce of a ball, an ill-timed injury or a contentious decision are just some of the moments that could have changed football forever. Every fan of every club or country has a 'what if' moment that they know could have brought their team glory had things turned out differently. Some of these moments have proved unforgettable, some have become iconic and others have changed the very nature of the game itself. The knock-on effect of a shot at goal scored or missed can have resounding consequences that are only realised later. This book explores those effects impartially and objectively, through research, context and coaching insight. Each moment has been chosen to guarantee discussion and debate among fans, who will of course have their own opinions about what would have happened. There are even fantasy match-ups between the great teams of different eras in this fascinating book.Trade Review"Like a selection of FM saves brought to life. Enjoyed the cultural impact as well, the secondary level of influence. Hats off - no easy feat!" -- Jonathan Harding * author of Mensch *"Really good fun. I loved it!" -- Jon MacKenzie * Tifo *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Safe Hands: Rangers' Goalkeeping Greats chronicles the careers of the players who have kept goal for Scotland's most successful football club. From as far back as the days of the founding fathers, Rangers have been blessed with some of the finest goalkeepers in the game. The likes of David Reid, Matthew Dickie, Harry Rennie, Willie Robb, Jerry Dawson, Bobby Brown, George Niven, Billy Ritchie, Peter McCloy, Chris Woods, Andy Goram, Stefan Klos and Allan McGregor have all served the club with distinction. But this book isn't just about the leading lights. Meticulously researched, it explores the Rangers careers of every player to have played in goal for the Gers. The stories are brought to life by personal insights and reflections from past and present Rangers keepers such as Peter McCloy, Jim Stewart, Chris Woods, Lionel Charbonnier, Andy Dibble, Neil Alexander and Allan McGregor. There is also a poignant tribute to the late Andy Goram, arguably the greatest Rangers goalkeeper of all time.Trade Review"In Safe Hands has covered a subject that I don’t remember any previous Rangers book in the past tried to do. It is an excellent tribute to the recent goalkeeping giants of the club, and contains many great anecdotes and stories from the players themselves. It also is a great reference book for the earlier years of the club, any question on Rangers goalkeepers has its answer in these pages somewhere." * Follow Follow *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Sprinkle of Magic tells the fascinating stories of non-league clubs who defied the odds and dared to dream big in the world's oldest cup competition. When August rolls in, so do the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup as non-league sides from across the land bid to make the first round proper and pick up a potential dream tie. Stretching back to the 2009/10 season, the stories include FA Cup runs from Bath City, Redbridge, AFC Totton, Stourbridge, Hendon and of course history-makers Lincoln City, who became the first non-league side to reach the quarter-finals in more than a century in 2017. Featuring colourful tales galore, A Sprinkle of Magic brings the magic of the FA Cup alive with some of the biggest upsets of recent years.Trade Review"We all love a cup shock, don't we? Well, apart from those on the receiving end. In A Sprinkle of Magic, author Aaron Moore tells the tale of a number of Non-League clubs who battled through various qualifying rounds to reach the first round proper and beyond... it is a solid offering with plenty of depth and content. It will bring back plenty of good memories for those from the clubs covered - and for general football fans as well." -- John Lyons * Late Tackle *"Moore's enthusiasm shines through in each chapter... by focusing on the modern day Moore is able to get first-hand accounts, rather than rely on archive testimonies, and that’s the element that works best about his book... The game at grassroots levels feels more important than ever these days, as the mega-rich clubs become more and more detached from the average fan, and it’s great that books like this exist to tell stories of how things really are, and what a cup run can mean to the people involved." -- Karl Hornsey * On: Yorkshire Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMatch Fit takes an in-depth look at mental health in football, from the Premier League down to five-a-side, in the hope of destigmatising this much-neglected topic, with candid contributions from the likes of Chris Kirkland, Paul Lambert and Marcus Bent. Subjects such as the issues facing footballers after retirement and the rise of social media are placed under the microscope, and we discover how being a football fan can benefit your mental health. Seasoned pros discuss the challenges they’ve faced in football, speaking openly about personal experiences most of us wouldn’t associate with the glamour of the beautiful game. From a grassroots perspective, there are uplifting stories of how people have learnt to manage their mental health, with football as a key tool to help them get through their day-to-day lives. If the interviewees – involved in a sport that has traditionally lauded masculinity and the absence of so-called weakness – can open up about their mental health, then so can anyone.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDoes your life revolve around your football team? Does your team's result on a Saturday make or break your weekend? Would you leave your wife on the day she's due to give birth to go to a cup final 140 miles away? Or miss your daughter's fourth birthday because you're in Madrid for a UEFA Cup tie? If so, this book is for you. The Team For Me is a personal reflection of the joy and heartache of football from a fan's perspective. Written by a Hearts supporter of 50 years' standing (and occasionally falling over), its tales will hit home among fans of any and every club - from the Saturday-morning feeling of anticipation to regaling your children with what it means to follow your club; from pre-match rituals to hammering your arch-rivals in a cup final. Fans who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s will also revel in memories of half-time scoreboards, dashing to the local newsagent at 5:30pm on a Saturday for a copy of the ink-stained Football Special edition, and of collecting football cards to swap with your pals.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBurnley, Champions Again! tells the story of the incredible promotion season that Vincent Kompany inspired and organised at Burnley FC. At the end of season 2021/22 the club found themselves relegated and managerless. With players wanting to leave, the club needing to sell them and fans worried the owners might decide to desert a sinking ship, the future looked bleak.But the worries were unfounded. Vincent Kompany was brought in as manager. He spoke of promotion being a three- or four-year project. As existing players left in droves, their replacements were drafted in from the continent – some bought, others joining on loan. But doubts lingered. The newcomers were unknowns, and some of the departing players were big names.The change in playing style was immediate – a transformation – and Burnley fans were wide-eyed with awe at the stunning possession-based football. The start was slow, but as the wins and points stacked up Burnley clinched an inconceivable top-flight return at the end of a magical season.

Read more less

Book SynopsisO Jogo Bonito! is the magical story of Brazil at the 1970 World Cup, and a team that featured the incomparable skills of Pelé, Rivellino, Gérson, Jairzinho and Tostão.The 1970 World Cup was the first tournament televised live and in colour. It was also the occasion when the Brazilian Seleção Canarinho declared themselves to be the best team ever to lift the Jules Rimet trophy - bringing their own life and colour to the tournament. Yellow shirts as bright as the Mexican sun, blue shorts as vivid as the bright sky, and dancing feet, beating out a hypnotising rhythm that rendered opponents flat-footed by comparison.Their third success in four tournaments meant that the 12-inch-high trophy would for evermore be the property of Brazil. It was a more than fitting accolade. All teams crowned as world champions before and since, are measured against, and fall short of, the bewitching beauty of that team. It was Brazil's football in that World Cup that truly defined the phrase the beautiful game ('o jogo bonito').

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnything Is Possible is the inside story of Bournemouth''s remarkable Championship winning season and tells how the smallest club in the division defied bookmakers, pundits and the Football League to emerge triumphant from a fiercely fought promotion contest and gate-crashed the richest league in the world.But that is just the end of the story! Only six years earlier, the club was on the brink of liquidation following a series of financial crises and points deductions. The club took a last-ditch gamble on former player Eddie Howe, a 31-year-old former player with zero management experience. It paid dividends and some, as Howe sowed the seeds for an astonishing rise up the leagues.The club rose from League Two to the Championship in four seasons, successes made all the more remarkable as Howe spent 20 months of that period managing Burnley.In 2014/15, Howe eclipsed his previous successes as he led a squad described as ''misfits'' by capta

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhether it was a swashbuckling footballer whose style earned him the nickname Crazy Horse, or as a television quiz show captain who rubbed shoulders with royalty, Emlyn Hughes never did things by half. This book looks at the life of the legend who carved out a career for himself in the media.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThree Goalkeepers and Seven Goals is the remarkable story of an incredible 5-2 comeback, using three goalkeepers, for Leicester City in their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Shrewsbury, in March 1982. Told through the eyes of fictional football reporter Bob Johnson, the story resurrects that extraordinary game in all its glory.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book reveals the tactical concepts behind the most successful women's team in European football - a club that has won six of the last ten UEFA Champions League titles. From match tactics to in-depth player analysis, it lifts the lid on what makes the team tick to discover how they became such a dominant force in Europe.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGrowing Up With the Trinity brings to life that unique period in 60s football when Manchester United had three European Players of the Year - Charlton, Best and Law - in their team. As the Manchester football scene blended with music and fashion, a young boy found inspiration watching these legends.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"There Is A Bonny Fitba Team" is the story of one fan's journey as he follows Hibernian FC through the highs and lows of fifty years on the Hibee highway. The story starts in April 1958 when eleven-year-old Ted Brack left Hampden in tears after Hibs had lost the Scottish Cup Final. Between that day and watching Hibs win the CIS Cup nearly fifty years later, Ted Brack has been to over 1,000 games and has dedicated a major part of his life to the club. During that time he got to know many of the club's legendary players, its officials and supporters and was a regular contributor to the Hibs fanzine. "There Is A Bonny Fitba Team" is a funny, affectionate and honest account of the trials and tribulations of a devoted Hibs fan as well as a history of the club over the last fifty years and a must-read book for all the fans who have lived through good times and bad with Hibernian FC.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor four decades Archie Macpherson has been one of Britain's finest football commentators. Instantly recognisable, he's never been short of an opinion or far from controversy. After joining the BBC full-time in 1969, he established himself not only as one of our foremost commentators but also as a cult figure in our national life. In A Game of Two Halves, Archie Macpherson gives us his unique perspective on his life and career. As well as brilliant anecdotes including his battles with Jock Stein, friendship and a spectacular falling out with Alex Ferguson, interviewing Terry Wogan in LA in a Jacuzzi in an open- top limousine and the Scotland football manager who took delivery of a plain white envelope, Archie Macpherson also tackles tough issues like sectarianism, the sad decline of commercial television and the future of the beautiful game. A Game of Two Halves is a candid, entertaining and thought provoking autobiography which brings Archie Macpherson's story and his passion for football to life with all his characteristic insight, humour and honesty.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNacho Novo is the most revered foreign player Rangers have had since iconic figures like Brian Laudrup and Jorg Albertz. He became an instant favourite with the Ibrox faithful in the summer of 2004 when he famously rejected overtures from arch-rivals Celtic and signed for Rangers. Now, as he closes in on six years at Rangers, "I Said No Thanks" tells Nacho Novo's story in an explosive and controversial book that pulls no punches. Novo charts his journey from his upbringing in Spain to the streets of Kirkcaldy and Dundee as he made his name in Scottish football. There's the family tragedy that changed his life. He reveals the real reasons he said 'No Thanks' to Celtic - a decision that defined his life. And he tells the full inside story of the managers he has worked with, the glory goals that have clinched SPL titles and UEFA Cup glory, the fall-outs and the controversy as well as revealing for the first time the shocking stories behind life in Glasgow as one of the few players to have split the football-mad city in two. "I Said No Thanks" is a no-holds-barred insight into life as an Old Firm star.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLawrie Reilly is one of Hibernian and Scotland's greatest ever players. A member of Hibs' legendary Famous Five forward line, he played a key part in the most successful period in the club's history. Lawrie's career was a real success story. He won the Scottish League title three times with Hibs and was the club's leading goal scorer for seven successive seasons - a record that remains unmatched. In Last Minute Reilly, Lawrie now reveals for the first time what it was like to be a member of the Famous Five, what made him the incredible player he was, his views on why his Hibs team never won the Scottish Cup and his thoughts on the characters in the game. He also tells the full story of why he decided to go on strike, who brokered the deal to get him back on the field doing what he did best and how he sustained the injury that ended his career before the age of thirty. In his international career, Lawrie Reilly achieved a goals per game record for Scotland that has never been bettered - 22 goals in 38 games. He was always at his very best against England and his knack of scoring late equalisers against the Auld Enemy earned him his nickname of 'Last Minute Reilly' along with everlasting popularity amongst Scotland fans. Last Minute Reilly is the story of a genuine footballing great, a legend of the game and one of football's true gentlemen.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWillie Miller is an Aberdeen legend. In a glittering career he won every domestic honour, played in two World Cup Finals for Scotland and led Aberdeen to victory in the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup. He played with and against some of the greatest footballers of all time and now selects his Aberdeen Dream Team of the greatest players ever to pull on the famous red jersey. In Willie Miller's Aberdeen Dream Team there's serious competition for every position and Willie's choices are sure to spark debate. Willie has also invited some well-known Dons fans - Ally Begg, Chris Cusiter, Richard Gordon, Buff Hardie, Paul Lawrie, James Naughtie and Jack Webster - to contribute their own dream teams to see if they take issue with his own selections. Packed full of facts and anecdotes about the club's greatest heroes, Willie Miller's Aberdeen Dream Team is a fascinating and entertaining read for Dons fans of all ages. But will you agree with Willie's selections and the reasons he chose them?

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Gordon Smith: Prince of Wingers" is a biographical story recounting the life of legendary footballer Gordon Smith written by his son Tony. One of the 'Famous Five', Gordon Smith won the league with Hibernian on three separate occasions during an eighteen-year-long glittering career with the club. With Heart of Midlothian he won another league medal as well as a League Cup medal, followed by yet another championship medal with Dundee. He represented his country on thirty-nine separate occasions, captaining them three times. His mesmeric skills and grace gave joy to many football fans, not only during his time with the Leith club, but also whilst playing for Heart of Midlothian, Dundee and Scotland. The book itself describes Gordon's life from humble beginnings in backstreet alleys kicking stones in place of a football to the stature of becoming one of the most naturally gifted players in the history of British football - whilst giving readers a unique insight into the life of this very private man.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPat Stanton is a Hibs legend. With his silky skills and natural leadership, Pat captained Hibs to three trophies and later went on to manage the team. Now he chooses his ultimate Hibernian dream team. In Pat Stanton's "Hibernian Dream Team" Pat devotes a chapter to each position and evaluates the many outstanding players who have worn the green and white during his lifetime. He looks at their strengths and weaknesses, reveals their character and tells personal anecdotes about many of the players he has known over the years. He also debates the merits of Hibs' post-war managers and chooses his top team boss. Written with humour, honesty and insight, Pat Stanton's "Hibernian Dream Team" will be one of the most talked about books on the club for many years.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the autobiography of a Rangers legend. Alex MacDonald's compelling memoirs cover his formative years as a player with St Johnstone, his rise to fame with Rangers, his transfer to Hearts where he became player-manager, and his time in charge at Airdrie. But Doddie is quintessentially a Rangers man, having grown up in Glasgow supporting them and then going on to play a key role in the club's 1972 Cup Winners' Cup triumph. Doddie won 12 medals in a glittering career, including a highly-prized European one during his time with Rangers, yet as he reveals, a chance meeting with Celtic manager Jock Stein might have resulted in him signing for the Old Firm's other half. Etched indelibly in his memory, too, is the dejection he suffered when Hearts lost the League Championship and Scottish Cup within the space of a week in the mid-1980s and his subsequent delight at leading Airdrie into Europe. Doddie is a fascinating story, both for his lifelong love affair with football and his more personal story of growing up in Glasgow, his love of animals and his midlife crisis when he put the car in the garage and headed out on the highway on a brand new Harley Davidson.It has been a life full of adventures and characters and the highs and lows of his life and career are entertainingly and engagingly told.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJim Baxter - the legendary 'Slim Jim' - was arguably Scotland's greatest-ever footballer, a left-footed genius who became a Rangers icon and helped Scotland humiliate world champions England at Wembley in 1967 - with some famous keepie-uppie along the way. And although much has been written about Slim Jim over the years, the real story behind his life is now revealed for the first time. When Jim Baxter joined Rangers in 1960 for a record fee of £17,500, he quickly proved his worth, helping the team to ten trophies over the next five years. It was the start of a glittering career and a hard-drinking, hard-living lifestyle in the big city, where he fully enjoyed the fruits of his success. But behind the glamour on and off the park, Jim Baxter hid a secret that would torment him for most of his life, a secret he only discovered the full truth about when he was fifty years old. What is beyond doubt is that Slim Jim Baxter will forever be revered for his unbelievable footballing talent. He will also be remembered for his ability to live life to the full and beyond. But had he uncovered the truth earlier about the family secret that left him shattered, the life of this footballing genius might have been very different both on and off the pitch.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJock Wallace wasn't just one of Scotland's outstanding football managers - he was a legend. A larger-than-life character, a giant of a man and a real-life hero, Wallace lived an extraordinary life. Though only an average goalkeeper who never made it as a player, he lived the football dream when he went on to manage Rangers twice, winning a whole host of trophies, including two Trebles in three seasons in the mid-seventies. But the road to the top was a tough one for big Jock, including a spell as a jungle fighter with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in war-torn Malaya, and in his fifties he was struck down by Parkinson's disease. In the end, the strain proved too much even for Wallace and he died of a heart attack aged only sixty-two. In this fascinating biography, David Leggat, one of the few journalists who was close to Big Jock, tells his incredible story.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCharlie Miller was the best young Scottish footballer of his generation. He made his Rangers debut under Walter Smith aged just seventeen and became a vital part of the lbrox club's legendary nine-in-a-row squad. Miller won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup with Rangers, as well as being named the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year in 1995. Yet many believe he was a wasted talent. Here, Miller reveals how he's spent his entire life not knowing who his father is and relives his colourful upbringing in Castlemilk - one of Glasgow's toughest housing estates. He explains how the gang culture he was involved in almost ended his Rangers career before it had started and speaks openly about the impact drugs, alcohol and gambling has had on his life. Miller takes you inside the lbrox dressing-room, where he mixed with iconic figures like Ally McCoist, Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne and explains how he went from Rangers hero to rock bottom.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe dugout can be a fearsome place. When the action heats up on the pitch, emotions in the dugout boil over. Grown men lose control. The normally sane turn into irrational agitators. And every decision, no matter how minor, is hotly contested.Tales From The Dugout is a fantastically entertaining collection of incidents and memories gathered from managers, players, referees, linesmen and broadcasters, which encapsulates the unique environment of the technical area and reveals how even limited exposure to it can transform people unrecognisably. And when the red mist descends, the consequences can be almost unbelievable - and frequently hilarious. With contributions from a host of those who have been at the sharp end and lived to tell the tale, Tales From The Dugout is a unique insight into life in the technical area.There are tales from Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, Craig Brown, Pat Nevin, Kenny Clark, Pat Bonner, Scott Booth, Terry Butcher, Jimmy Calderwood, Billy Dodds, Jim Duffy, Alex McLeish, Alex Smith, Willie Young and Chick Young - amongst many others.And brilliant stories about legends of the game like Tommy Burns, Walter Smith, Martin O'Neill, Ally McCoist, Jim McLean and, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson. And it explains why that small area by the side of the pitch is no place for the faint-hearted.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJames Yuill McLean is the architect of one of the greatest achievements in Scottish football history. Winning the League with Dundee United should not have been possible. Taking United to a European Cup (now the Champions' League) Semi-Final was incredible. Steering a club from Scotland's fourth-largest city to the UEFA Cup Final (beating Barcelona twice along the way) should have been the stuff of comic fiction. But Jim did it.His achievements deserve recognition.This book is a picture-led record of a man with a gift for recognising talented players, improving them, and playing them in a system that made the name of Dundee United famous around the world. It contains interviews with his players and managerial peers, as well as never-before-seen photos from newspaper and magazine archives.It also contains the thoughts and family photos of Jim's wife, Doris, who gives her insights on the unseen, private side of the man every Dundee United supporter regards as almost a deity, but who she knew as a husband.The book also looks at Jim's playing career, his stints with Clyde, Kilmarnock and Dundee, and pictures him in the same teams as his brothers Willie and Tommy. It also has a chapter on the campaign to erect a statue to Jim, with the thoughts of the fund-raising committee, and the various stages in the creation of the statue by sculptor Alan Herriot.Perhaps most importantly, the book contains tributes from ordinary Dundee United supporters. A media campaign was launched asking supporters to email in their tributes to Jim, and these warm and often funny tributes are carried in the book.It is a celebration of a great man.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of hundreds of previouslyunseen photos of classic Scotlandinternational football games that havelain in newspaper and magazine archives for50, 60 or 70 years.Aimed at the sports nostalgia and giftmarket, the Black & White Era seriesguarantees high-quality production valuesand never-before seen vintage photos, alongwith well researched anecdotalaccompanying text of the eventsfrom original sources.With a foreword by Denis Law (Scotland'sall-time joint-top goal scorer).

Read more less

Book SynopsisRangers FC Cult Heroes is devoted to 20 players who, over the years, have won a special place in the hearts of the Ibrox faithful - not necessarily the greatest footballers, but a unique brotherhood of mavericks and stalwarts, local lads and big signings. The cast list alone is enough to stir up the memories and tug at the heartstrings of any Gers fan - McMinn, Laudrup and Baxter, Johnston, McPhail and McCoist - recalling how these charismatic personalities used to ignite passion on the terraces. Find out which Light Blue icon Pele wished had hailed from Rio instead of Fife. Who warned young players against becoming 'the most underpaid of all public entertainers'. And which hero refused to play for Scotland on the day of Princess Diana's funeral. Discover and delight in the magical qualities of these 20 mere mortals elevated to cult status by the blue half of Glasgow.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the thousands of matches ever played by Stoke City, stretching from the club's Victorian foundation across more than 150 years to the Premier League era, here are 50 of the Potters' most glorious, epochal and thrilling games of all! Expertly presented in evocative historical context, and described incident-by-incident in atmospheric detail, Stoke City Greatest Games offers a terrace ticket back in time, taking in Wembley victories, promotion parties and famous triumphs, as well as a wealth of fantastic stories from less 'glamorous' victories down the leagues. An irresistible cast list of club legends - Stanley Matthews, Tom Slaney and Jimmy Greenhoff, Mark Stein, Gordon Banks and Jimmy Broad - springs to life in these thrilling tales of goalscoring feats, great comebacks, last-ditch survival efforts and the odd glorious yet crushing disappointment. In all, a journey through the highlights of Potters history which is guaranteed to make any fan's heart swell with pride.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrazil has done much to shape football, but how has football shaped Brazil? Despite the political and social importance of the beautiful game to the country, the subject has hitherto received little attention. This book presents groundbreaking work by historians and researchers from Brazil, the United States, Britain and France, who examine the political significance, in the broadest sense, of the sport in which Brazil has long been a world leader. The authors consider questions such as the relationship between football, the workplace and working class culture; the formation of Brazilian national identity; race relations; political and social movements; and the impact of the sport on social mobility. Contributions to the book range in time from the late nineteenth century, when the British first introduced the sport to Brazil, to the present day, as the 'country of football' prepares itself to host the 2014 World Cup, painting a vivid picture of the many ways in which football exists and functions in Brazil, both on and off the pitch.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCardiff City Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Bluebirds. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the striker who bought a round of drinks for the City directors, and cheekily put it on the club's bill? How about the time the first team worked as labourers on a Ninian Park stand? Or the three brothers who appeared in the same City squad? Do you know which City keeper let in 32 goals in a month? When a fan walked to away matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle? Or how a Cup tie came against Bristol City lasted 202 minutes? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any fan who holds the riches of Bluebirds history close to their heart.Table of ContentsFull of facts, figures, trivia, stats, stories and anecdotes all relating to the long and colourful history of Cardiff City Football Club. From the club's most memorable matches and the men who matter; to the more gruesome games and the unsung heroes. Written by respected club historian Richard Shepherd, this book tells the tales which have shaped the football club into the force it is today.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWest Ham United On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's distinguished past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of claret-and-blue history - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's Victorian formation through to the Premier League era, the Upton Park faithful have witnessed championships and and relegations, hard-fought derbies, Cup triumphs and unforgettable European nights - all featured here. All-time greats including Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking, Paolo di Canio, Tony Cottee and Billy Bonds all loom larger than life. Revisit 19th May 1965, when West Ham beat TSV Munich 2-0 in the European Cup Winners' Cup Final. 3rd May 1975, when Alan Taylor won the 'Cockney Cup Final' against Fulham, starring Bobby Moore. Or 4th August 1963: The Iron win the American Soccer League, despite an hour-long pitch invasion!

Read more less

Book SynopsisAberdeen FC On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the Dons' distinguished past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of Reds history - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's Edwardian formation through to the SPL era, the Pittodrie faithful have witnessed Scottish League, Cup and League Cup triumphs, unforgettable European nights and American summers - all featured here. All-time greats including Willie Miller and Jim Leighton, Joe Harper, Gordon Strachan and Lachlan McMillan(!) all loom larger than life. Revisit 11 April 1970: The Dons claim their second Scottish Cup with a shock 3-1 win over Celtic. 18 November 1931: 'The Great Mystery' betting scandal sees five first-teamers axed. Or 11 May 1983: The European Cup Winners' Cup is won in rainy Gothenburg with a sensational 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPlymouth Argyle 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 Pilgrims diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's Victorian foundation as Argyle FC through to the 21st century, the green-and-white faithful have witnessed League Cup and FA Cup semi-finals, Second and Third Division titles, play-off thrills and relegation battles - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Paul Mariner, Kevin Hodges and Sammy Black, Jack Chisholm, Tommy Tynan and Mickey Evans all loom larger than life. Revisit 16th May 1963, when a record crowd of 100,000 watched Argyle play Legia Warsaw in Poland. 14th April 1984: the Pilgrims take on Watford looking to book a date at Wembley. Or 3rd May 1930, when Third Division (South) title celebrations involved a giant pasty!

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Arsenal Companion collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about Arsenal FC. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the glam rock single, 'A Love Song For My Lady', recorded by Charlie George as 'Charlie Gorgeous'? How about the linesman's injury that led to commentator Jimmy Hill running the line at Highbury? Do you know which former full-back managed the club for the shortest ever spell? Which 80s star advertised fitted kitchens and a white leather suit for Top Man? Or which 60s stopper was known as 'Sponge' due to his ability to soak up pressure? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia, essential for any fan who holds the riches of red-and-white history close to their heart. Featuring a foreword by Frank McLintock.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIpswich Town Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Tractor Boys. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the Town striker whose shot cleared the stand and hit a horse ploughing a field, creating the fastest furrow on record? How about the Cubs pack who made tea in the Portman Road centre circle? Or the World Cup where six Town players starred? Do you know which legendary Town manager is statistically the club's most successful? Who only comes third on the list? Or when the club's first ever programme was produced, for a game that only drew 2,000 fans? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any fan who holds the riches of blue-and-white history close to their heart.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Albion On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from West Brom's illustrious history, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Baggies diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's formation in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers to the Premier League era, Albion fans have witnessed League and Cup triumphs, promotions and relegations, hard times and hard-fought local derbies - all featured here. Timeless greats such as John Wile and Bob Taylor, Cyrille Regis, Jeff Astle and Bryan Robson all loom larger than life. Revisit 25th April 1931, when the Throstles won Division Two to take a unique FA Cup and promotion Double. 18th April 1952: the appointment of manager Jesse Carver, architect of the 'Team of the Century'. Or 6th March 1977: the signing of Laurie Cunningham, first of the 'Three Degrees'!

Read more less

Book SynopsisOxford United 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 U's diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's formation as Headington in 1893 through to more recent flirtations with the First Division and the Conference, the United faithful have witnessed promotions and relegations, breathtaking Cup runs and Wembley triumph - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Ron and Graham Atkinson, John Aldridge, Maurice Kyle and Dean Saunders all loom larger than life. Revisit 20th April 1986, when Oxford won the Milk Cup final. 2nd June 1962, when the Yellows were elected into the Football League. Or 8th February 1975, when the U's beat Man U in front of 16,000 fans, plus thousands more on that evening's Match of the Day.

Read more less