Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisGeoff Shreeves is a giant of football. From reporting pitchside on the biggest matches to his iconic appearances in EA's FIFA series, Geoff's warmth, humour and expertise have made him a constant fixture of the sport. In Cheers Geoff! he shares hilarious, bizarre and moving stories from across his incredible career.With a foreward from Alan Shearer.A The Times Sports Books of the Year'Cracking read . . . loved it' - Piers Morgan'Packed with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names' - The MirrorThere 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 Trade 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 -- José 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 Synopsis*** SHORTLISTED IN THE SPORTS WRITING CATEGORY AT THE 2024 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS ****** LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ****** ONE OF THE DAILY TELEGRAPH''S SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 ****** ONE OF THE TIMES'' SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 ***The remarkable inside story of how two Hollywood A-listers, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, stunned the football world by buying a non-league club in North Wales.''astute, lovingly detailed ... so entertaining ... so charming'' Victoria Segal, the Sunday Times''A superb account of a modern-day success story, told beautifully by one of the best writers in the business. This is one of the great football stories of recent years. No matter who you support, if you love football, you will love the story of Tinseltown.'' Daniel Taylor, The Athletic''This is a compelling, multi-layered, page t

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Book Synopsis''SPLENDID'' Daily Telegraph''THOUGHT-PROVOKING'' Independent on Sunday''INSATIABLE'' David Goldblatt''METICULOUS'' When Saturday Comes''SUPERB'' Readers DigestIn this first-ever cultural history of the ''loner'' between the posts, Jonathan Wilson traces the sometimes dangerous intellectual and literary preoccupations of the keeper, and looks at how the position has secured a certain existential cool. He travels to the Bassa region of Cameroon, which has produced two of Africa''s greatest keepers, and also to Romania to talk to Helmuth Duckadam, who saved four penalties for Steaua Bucharest in the 1986 European Cup final. His absorbing tactical and technical insights into football history even take us back to the days when matches were contested without a man between the sticks.THE OUTSIDER is the definitive account of the most mysterious of footballing personalities - thTrade ReviewA splendid history of football's complicated scapegoats * DAILY TELEGRAPH *In THE OUTSIDER, Jonathan Wilson offers an ebullient history of the goalkeeper and tries to work out what it is that attracts the spiritual, the quizzical, the odd and the reflective to the position ... Wilson offers a picture of the goalkeeper as an outsider, but also more of an everyman than you might think * INDEPENDENT *A splendid history of the goalkeeper, whose lot has tended to be a thankless one (just ask Joe Hart). Wilson tells tales of violence against goalies, both verbal and physical, along with the burden of psychic stress carried by these singular players * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *The ever-readable Wilson explores the psychological pressures of being cast in the role of the scapegoat ... Thought-provoking and full of interesting detail ... this book scores on every level * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *From the obese to the heroic and the corrupt, goalkeepers provide endless anecdotal material. Wilson weaves it together skilfully, from Victorian times to the present, from Charterhouse to Cameroon. The case for the position provoking a kind of existential unease is elegantly made * LITERARY REVIEW *From Albert Camus to John Paul II, and all points in between - a superb account of the men who wear different shirts and play be different rules from everybody else. * READERS DIGEST *From Albert Camus to John Paul II, and all points in between - a superb account of the men who wear different shirts and play be different rules from everybody else. * READERS DIGEST *A splendid history of the goalkeeper, whose lot has tended to be a thankless one (just ask Joe Hart). Wilson tells tales of violence against goalies, both verbal and physical, along with the burden of psychic stress carried by these singular players * THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisTHE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR The Sunday Times bestseller is 'brilliant, gripping, beautifully written, real,' says Jonathan Northcroft. So, you think you know Joey Barton. Think again. No Nonsense is a game-changing autobiography which will redefine the most fascinating figure in British football. It is the raw yet redemptive story of a man shaped by rejection and the consequences of his mistakes. He has represented England, and been a pivotal player for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Marseille, Burnley and Glasgow Rangers, but his career has featured recurring controversy. The low point of being sent to prison for assault in 2008 proved to be the catalyst for the re-evaluation of his life.   No Nonsense reflects Barton’s character – it is candid, challenging, entertaining and intelligent. He does not spareTrade Review'Barton's compelling autobiography...probes the dark undertow of his past' -- Donald McRae * Guardian *'The book is brilliant and in many ways as No Nonsense as the title claims' -- Matt Lawton * Daily Mail *'Frequently jaw-dropping' -- Matt Dickinson * The Times *'Brilliant, gripping, beautifully written, real' -- Jonathan Northcroft'Powerful story...It is superbly written...What makes Barton's book engaging is the candour with which he describes his personal crusade against the demons of violence in his nature and the revelation of inside track details' * Daily Express *‘…this tale of a council estate “scally” (his word) made good through grit, determination and the learning from setbacks is far more than a football book’ * The i *‘Book of revelations: No Nonsense is, to all intents and purposes, Joey Barton: The Director’s Cut. Unshackled from the limitations of Twitter’s 140 characters, expanded and coloured in with the help of an articulate ghost writer, Michael Calvin. Together they lay waste to the “superficial bollocks” of the modern game’ * When Saturday Comes *‘This is a terrific book, one of the best I’ve read. There aren’t many I’ve read and finished and thought damn I’ve finished. This is one of them’ * Sportnetwork.net *‘One of the most remarkable and candid sports books of the year’ -- Terry Staunton * When Saturday Comes *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE ‘The greatest story in English sport told beautifully by one of its greatest writers’ Gary Lineker 'A spellbinding piece of work' Oliver Holt 'Absolute tour de force' Henry WinterAward-winning writer Paul Hayward delivers a compelling and unmissable account of the story of the England men's football team, now updated in paperback.  On 30 November 1872, England took on Scotland at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow, a match that is regarded as the first international fixture. More than 5,000 fans watched the two sides play out a 0-0 draw. It was the first of more than a thousand games played by the side, and the beginning of a national love affair that unites the country in a way that few other events can match. In HaywardTrade Review‘The greatest story in English sport told beautifully by one of its greatest writers’ -- Gary Lineker'Going far beyond the familiar tales of triumph and turbulence, Paul Hayward brings wisdom, perspective, a refusal to settle for the conventional wisdom and an elegant pen to a story that tells us a great deal about football but even more about ourselves. England Football: The Biography is an instant classic that will be read for generations to come.' -- Richard Williams'Every bit as good as expected. Paul Hayward's definitive biography, critique - and search for answers - over 150 years of England. Woe, joy, misadventure, rebirth, more woe, but ultimately … hope. A great tale of Englishness and the team’s place in the national psyche.' -- Sam Wallace'Absolute tour de force by ?Paul Hayward on England's history: 150 years in 600 pages. Great insight and revealing interviews.' -- Henry Winter'This is, predictably, a spellbinding piece of work by ?Paul Hayward. I’ve seen someone else describe it as an instant classic and they’re right. It’s out soon and absolutely brilliantly written.' -- Oliver Holt'An incredible book, charting the history of the England national team down the years. My great pal and inspiration ??Paul Hayward has? written the definitive book England Football: The Biography. Can’t recommend it highly enough.' -- John Cross'This impeccably researched, superbly written book by Paul Hayward places the England team in the instructive context of 150 years of intermittent achievement. An outstanding piece of work.' -- Michael Calvin'A compelling, brilliantly researched history of the national side. Although the early sections are obviously distant in terms of time, they are nonetheless engrossing... Hayward offers a riveting analysis of the taciturn coach Alf Ramsey... Hayward’s superb book is a must for any true football fan.' -- Martin Chilton * Independent *

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Book Synopsis''A gripping account'' 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 SrnaShakhtar 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. In a time of chaos and conflict, they have become emblems of hope and unity. They are winning on the pitch, and winning hearts and minds across the world.FollTrade ReviewA gripping account * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisLIVERPOOL: THE STORY OF A FOOTBALL CLUB IN 101 LIVES tells the history of the Anfield club through the biographies of key individuals associated with the Merseysiders from their formation in the gas-lit days of Victorian Britain through to the present day. From John Houlding, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool who was the founder of the club in controversial circumstances, to their greatest manager Bill Shankly, and the great players who have worn the famous red shirt throughout its history, the in-depth stories of the characters - players and managers - here paint a fascinating picture of how the club - indeed, the game of football itself - has developed from workers playing for fun to today's multi-million-pound business.

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Book SynopsisFrom Pascal Gross's fantastic brace at Old Trafford and an unbelievable 5-2 victory over Leicester City, to a 6-0 demolition of Wolves, the 2022-23 campaign is quite possibly Brighton's best ever season. After a fantastic start to the Premier League campaign, Graham Potter left the Seagulls to join Chelsea leaving fans concerned. Enter Roberto De Zerbi. De Zerbi's first win came in a 4-1 thrashing of . . . that's right, Chelsea! Anyone who was at the AMEX that day will never forgot the incredible atmosphere produced by the Brighton faithful. Fast forward a few months and the Seagulls were walking out at Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final. A month later, Brighton had qualified for Europe for the first time in their 122-year history. Tony Noble, a lifelong Brighton fan and season ticket holder, has written The Seagulls Greatest Ever Season, a match-by match account of this amazing campaign. Written with passion, honesty and humour, Tony recalls Alexis Mac Allister's stellar performances during a year in which he became a World champion; Lewis Dunk's inspirational on-pitch leadership; Kauro Mitoma's wizardry down the left-hand side; the emergence of exciting young talent Evan Ferguson, and much more. The Seagulls Greatest Ever Season allows the reader to relive the games, the goals and the glory in what was - the greatest ever season.

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Book Synopsis‘I was never as proud to be part of a team as I was being part of that team.’ PAT JENNINGS By the end of the 1970s, the Northern Ireland football team was in the doldrums. Against a background of civil unrest, the team had endured long periods of playing all their games away from home and had just finished bottom of the British Championship for the fourth successive year. Two years later they walked onto the pitch against France to play for a place in the 1982 World Cup semi-finals. In Fields of Wonder, Evan Marshall charts Northern Ireland’s incredible World Cup journey in thrilling detail, from the appointment of Billy Bingham as manager and the winning of the British Home Championship in 1980 through the ups and downs of the qualifying stages, and that night of pulsating drama against Spain in Valencia. Based on interviews with manager Billy Bingham and with many of the players, including Pat Jennings, Martin O’Neill, Gerry Armstrong and Norman Whiteside, and told against the backdrop of the Troubles, this book vividly captures the struggles, spirit and magic of Northern Ireland’s 1982 World Cup campaign.Trade Review'Evan Marshall's new book captures the remarkable spirit of Billy Bingham’s fabled team of the early-80s' -- Darren Fullerton * BelfastLive *'I am old enough to remember names from the early days of the (GAWA) ‘Green and White Army’ through my childhood 1050’s and teenage 1060/70s and early adult life in the 1980s and beyond - Danny Blanchflower, Harry Gregg, George Best, Gerry Armstrong, Norman Whiteside, Sammy McIlroy, Pat Jennings to name just a few and of course manager Billy Bingham. Those nostalgic names and bygone days are captured perfectly in this detailed but easy to read book. It is a fitting testament to a team and outstanding players who shone and gave hope and entertainment on the pitch to many against the background of the dark days of our casually referred to ‘Troubles’. Players who showed that the sectarian divide could be forgotten and the spirit of believing that they could achieve success was all that mattered. And were proved right in that memorable wonderful world cup field of dreams in Spain in 1982. Even if you are not a seasoned football fan this is an enjoyable read complete with a series of photographs that I certainly enjoyed.' -- George Larmour * Amazon *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the British Sports Book Awards 2018“What’s your dream, son?”A six year-old boy, head bowed, mumbles the eternal answer: “Be a footballer….” Steadman Scott, football’s most unlikely talent scout, smiles indulgently, and takes him in from the street. He knows the odds. Only 180 of the 1.5 million boys who play organised youth football in England will become a Premier League pro. That’s a success rate of 0.012 per cent.How and why do the favoured few make it? What separates the good from the great? Who should they trust – the coach, the agent or their parents?Michael Calvin provides the answers on a journey from non-league grounds to hermetically sealed Premier League palaces, via gang-controlled sink estates and the England team’s inner sanctum. He interviews decision makers, behavioural specialists, football agents and leading coaches. He shares the hopes and fears of players and their parents. He exposes bullying and a black economy in which children are commodities, but remains true to the dream.Trade ReviewAnother landmark work from Mike Calvin, who has taken us beyond the surface of football to show its true workings. Ground-breaking reportage with a heart and a conscience. A service to the game. -- Paul Hayward * Telegraph *Extraordinary writing, a vital subject, a brilliant read -- Jonathan Northcroft * Sunday Times *If you’re in any way interested in what lies beneath the water of the Premier League Iceberg, read Mike Calvin’s latest book No Hunger in Paradise -- Owen Gibson * Guardian *A fascinating insight which gets to the heart of the matter – and problems – chasing every kid’s dream. A compelling read for anyone who likes football and the stories surrounding the stars of tomorrow. I couldn't put it down. -- John Cross * Daily Mirror *Another exceptional piece of work -- Jason Burt * Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Bestseller and Number 1 Sport Book of 2016'A tale that's truly inspirational' The SunAn ordinary lad from Sheffield, Jamie Vardy has become known as an against-the-odds footballing hero the world over. Yet a few years ago, things couldn’t have been any more different. Rejected as a teenager by his boyhood club, Jamie thought his chance was gone. But from playing pub football and earning £30 a week at Stocksbridge Park Steels, while still working in a factory, his off-the-cuff performances saw him rise.Jamie had a wild and turbulent youth, but football became his saving grace and, once he filled his boots with goals at FC Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town, he moved to Leicester City. After the miracle of surviving relegation, the team of unlikely outsiders bonded together to achieve the unthinkable: Jamie set the record as the first player to score in 11 consecutive Premier League matches and Leicester beat odds of 5000-1 to become champions.Jamie has now been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, firmly establishing himself as one of England’s leading goal scoring footballers. Not forgetting his roots, however, he has set up the V9 Academy in a bid to find the next big talent from non-league football. Defying all expectations, this is the story of the boy from nowhere who reached the top in his own unflinching, honest words.Trade ReviewJamie Vardy’s searingly honest warts and all account of his rise from football’s lowest foothills to the Premier League summit has been the talk of football. -- Sean Hamilton * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisBlue was the Colour is a witty, wise and charming assessment of modern football by Chelsea FC fan Andy Hamilton, one of the country’s leading comedy writers and stand-ups, and a novelist to boot.Andy grew up in the streets surrounding Stamford Bridge and fell in love with Chelsea and football as a six-year-old taken to his first match by his older brother. That love endured as an obsession until the modern game’s money and machinations took over and left him questioning its, and his, priorities. Taking as a starting point his first game against Newcastle United and comparing it with a match now between two teams owned by an American – via a Russian – and a Saudi Arabian government arm, the inimitable Hamilton relates how he came to question his passion for his club and football itself. Blue was the Colour will have fans and readers laughing out loud and nodding in agreement.Trade Review"It's brilliant." -- Adrian Chiles * BBC Radio 5 Live *"Loved the book and just about every single sentiment within." -- Pat Nevin * former Chelsea player *"Andy Hamilton's recollections and grasp of the vagaries of supporting Chelsea (or any club) and the game over the last six decades are poignant, evocative, sharply assessed and often hilarious." -- Jon Morris * Backpass magazine *"As you'd expect from someone of his writing talents, Hamilton's reflections here are witty, thought provoking yet balanced - filled with joy and at times sadness, as well as disappointment and regret - a bit like watching your team really." * footballbookreviews.com *

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Book SynopsisOnly the Real Thing is the story of how Aston Villa adapted and thrived in the changing world of early 1990s English football. The book dissects the cup-winning campaigns of 1994 and 1996 with a deep dive into the matches, players and management teams, while telling a wider story of the transitionary shift towards modern football.

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Book SynopsisCup Finals weaves together tales of past and present heroes and villains, glory and tragedy, outrage and joy, thrills and scapegoats, plus David and Goliath' battles. Whether it's the World Cup or the Scottish Junior Cup, a final is a special spectacle that creates legends. But in today's corporate world, whose cup is it?

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Book SynopsisTiny Keeper is the extraordinary story of Steve Death, once the shortest goalkeeper in the Football League. He was good enough to keep Peter Shilton out of the England Schoolboys side, yet spent his career in Divisions Three and Four and became a lower-league legend. His league record of 12 consecutive clean sheets still stands.

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Book SynopsisForgotten Football Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland is a nostalgic journey through the histories of clubs that left an indelible mark on the sport, yet no longer exist.Philip O''Rourke delves into the narratives of 50 defunct teams from around England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, uncovering their origins, achievements and the circumstances that led to their extinction. Along the way, we learn about their key players and managers and any controversies surrounding them.Inside you'll discover: Interviews with fans and journalists that help bring the story of each club to life How George Best ended up playing for a League of Ireland side The History of Wanderers FC and how they won the first FA Cup How the first ever Welsh Cup finalist, Druids FC, became a forgotten club The story of Renton FC, the Scottish club who were once world champions but are now just a memory How one English club, Corinthians, influenced some of the world's top sides despite staying at amateur level for so long How Drumcondra AFC took on Europe, but now just play in the local football league This engrossing book is a heartfelt tribute to the teams that once brought joy to their supporters, but now survive only in memory or archival record.

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Book SynopsisA Fistful of Doldrums is the engaging and richly researched story of a turbulent period in the intense world of Sunderland AFC and North East football. Set amid a fascinating late-1970s backdrop, the story features first-hand accounts and authentic dialogue. This book will appeal to anyone interested in this fascinating era.

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Book SynopsisThe quintessential book for Newcastle United fans everywhere, Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves tells the inside story of the Magpies today, using exclusive interviews with Eddie Howe and other club legends.Welcome to Newcastle United, the most exciting football club in the world right now.Since joining the team in 2021, Eddie Howe has been determined to transform Newcastle United from a perennial underachiever into one of the biggest teams in not just the Premier League, but Europe as well. With the players, fans and decision-makers finally all working together, and with the pain of the past behind them, the Magpies are ready for a new era to begin...Telling the story of Newcastle through some of its most competitive moments, including Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson's stewardships, as well as touching on some of its trickier times, television presenter and diehard fan Pete Graves recaps the team's history and goes inside the club to show what is so exciting about this team today.Featuring interviews with key figures past and present, including Eddie Howe himself, Graves builds a picture of what's happening with Newcastle, both on and off the pitch, as they climb the league and set their sights on silverware.With extensive research and unparalleled access, Here to Compete is the incredible story of a team reborn and the man who is on course to build an empire.

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Book SynopsisEndorsed by the club, written by Eagles aficionado Neil McSteen, and with a foreword by club legend Geoff Thomas, Crystal Palace On This Day chronicles, in diary form, the major events in the club's history: such as the heady days of the epic FA Cup run in 1990, masterminded by Steve Coppell and spearheaded by Ian Wright and Mark Bright; or the dramas of various promotions to the top flight of English football. With individual entries for every day, and multiple listings for more historic and busier days, the book is a dip-in, dip-out offering and includes all the club's big matches, promotions, cup runs, significant events, and sensational signings. Packed with Palace history, it is a must for all Selhurst Park goers.

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Book SynopsisLiverpool FC On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's glorious 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 acrimonious Victorian foundation of the club to the 21st century's heady European and FA Cup victories, the Anfield faithful have witnessed the First Division triumphs of the '20s and '40s turn into an avalanche of silverware in the '60s, '70s and '80s - and they have also witnessed tragedies. Pivotal days in history which saw the airing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', the completion of multifarious Doubles and Trebles and the shock retirement of Bill Shankly all form a backdrop against which Liverpool greats - Kevin Keegan, Ian Rush and Billy Liddell, Steven Gerrard, Tommy Smith and Kenny Dalglish - loom larger than life.

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Book SynopsisFootball fans love nothing more than to read about their favourite teams. Although this books 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'Very funny on almost every page, wonderfully self-deprecating and very sharp on the ludicrous behaviour of the modern player' - Sunday Times'The funniest man in British sport' - Metro**A Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year****Shortlisted for the National Book Awards****Longlisted for the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Autobiography of the Year**You become a footballer because you love football. And then you are a footballer, and you're suddenly in the strangest, most baffling world of all. A world where one team-mate comes to training in a bright red suit with matching top-hat, cane and glasses, without any actual glass in them, and another has so many sports cars they forget they have left a Porsche at the train station. Even when their surname is incorporated in the registration plate.So walk with me into the dressing-room, to find out which players refuse to touch a football before a game, to discover why a load of millionaires never have any shower-gel, and to hear what Cristiano Ronaldo says when he looks at himself in the mirror.We will go into post-match interviews, make fools of ourselves on social media and try to ensure that we never again pay £250 for a haircut that should have cost a tenner. We'll be coached and cajoled by Harry Redknapp, upset Rafa Benitez and be soothed by the sound of an accordion played by Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant Tord Grip. There will be some very bad music and some very bad decisions.I am Peter Crouch. This is How To Be A Footballer. Shall we?Trade ReviewHowever overpaid and preening you might assume Premier League footballers to be, think again. They're worse, according to this amusing insider's account * Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year *Who knew that a footballer could be funny? ... What you realise, as you laugh out loud, is that football has been taken too seriously by too many people for too long... Most other football books wither by comparison * Daily Mail Sports Book of the Year *As someone who's been there, done it and got the ill-fitting T-shirt, Crouch is well placed to shed light on the bizarre world of the modern player in a funny, down-to-earth way... He made his name on the pitch ... but with this book, Crouch proves he is a good sport off it, too. -- Jade Craddock * Sun *On his way to being a national treasure... most enjoyable * Daily Telegraph *The funniest man in British sport * Metro *

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Book SynopsisStanding Free is the funny, emotional, at times downright bizarre but always enthralling autobiography of 1980s and 90s Aberdeen FC hero Theo ten Caat. Theo's time at Aberdeen was certainly eventful. All is revealed in this no-punches-pulled chronicle of his career, both in Scotland and Holland, told in Theo's own words.

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Book SynopsisStunningly illustrated by David Squires (as featured in the Guardian), The Illustrated History of Football is a wry look at the highs and lows of the beautiful game. Laugh-out- loud and occasionally moving, it's the perfect gift for anyone who loves football.'Squires is the master of the football comic strip and this collection is recommended reading for enlightened football fans everywhere' -- Late Tackle'No one captures the absurdities and ugliness of football better than him ... hilarious' -- Coach Magazine'[Illustrated History of Football] is the funniest football tome since Viz's Billy the Fish Football Yearbook, published 26 years earlier' -- Esquire'Simply brilliant - my favourite football book' -- ***** Reader review'Completely amazing cartoons with beautiful insight as to the how, why, when & wow' -- ***** Reader review'Simply wonderful' -- ***** Reader review'One of the funniest books I've read in a very long time. A must for anyone who loves football' -- ***** Reader review*********************************************************************************************Football and comics. Once a hearty Saturday combination to match cartoons and cereal, in recent years they've drifted apart. Thankfully for us, illustrator Squires is here to change all that.In The Illustrated History of Football, his first book, Squires relives some of football's most glorious moments and meets its greatest figures. In a sport full of handsome paycheques and corporate sponsors, he also casts a critical eye over corrupt backroom workings and helps pierce football's overblown balloon.Funny, good-looking and preternaturally astute, this book is everything Sepp Blatter wishes he could be.More than the archetypal loo book, this is a satirical look at the highs and lows of football and the perfect gift for all fans...Trade ReviewA ruddy good artist * The Telegraph *Squires exhibits his personal knowledge of the game in a way that is thoughtful and, as with all comic satirists, really very funny . . . On the face of it this may look like a perfect lavatory book for dad for Christmas. But it is a lot more than that and well worth the read. * Daily Express *David is unparalleled in his ability to highlight how ridiculous modern football can often be with his unique brand of caustic satire. -- Mike Hytner * The Guardian *You will really want to buy it * Football365 *Squires is the master of the football comic strip and this collection is recommended reading for enlightened football fans everywhere. * Late Tackle *Brilliant * The Set Pieces *If you’re not familiar with the work of David Squires, then you really have been deprived up to now * The Final Third *No one captures the absurdities and ugliness of football better than him … hilarious * Coach Magazine *A bloody funny read * Adam Peacock, Fox Sports *Squires’ opening lines sets the tone for a lively, tongue-in-cheek history of the beautiful game, accompanied by some excellent illustrations. * Dorset Echo *This is an absolute landmark of football literature – worthy of the same status as Football Grounds of Europe , Inverting the Pyramid and All Played Out . This is not least because of the mind boggling amount of work involved – all the more prodigious given that Squires is a regular provider of comic strips for The Guardian . . . this is a genuinely funny book * The Two Unfortunates *[Illustrated History of Football] is the funniest football tome since Viz's Billy the Fish Football Yearbook, published 26 years earlier. * Esquire *

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Book SynopsisGermany did not have professional players or a national league until the 1960s, yet it became one of the most successful football nations in the world. Tor! (Goal!) traces the extraordinary story of Germany’s club and international football, from the days when it was regarded as a dangerously foreign pastime, through the horrors of the Nazi years to postwar triumphs and the crisis of the new century. Tor! challenges the myth that German football is ‘predictable’ or ‘efficient’ and brings to life the fascinating array of characters who shaped it: the betrayed pioneer Walther Bensemann; the enigmatic genius Sepp Herberger; the all-conquering Franz Beckenbauer; the modern misfit Lothar Matthäus. And even the radio commentator Herbert Zimmermann, whose ecstatic cries of ‘Tor!’ greeted the winning goal in the 1954 World Cup final and helped change a whole nation’s view of itself. Fully revised and updated ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Tor! is the definitive history of German football.

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Book Synopsis**A REVISED AND SIGNIFICANTLY UPDATED EDITION OF ROB TANNER'S 5000-1- NOW COVERING THE FIVE YEARS SINCE LEICESTER CITY'S INCREDIBLE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE WIN.**On 2 May 2016, English football was spectacularly altered as 5000-1 longshots Leicester City were crowned Premier League champions. Their victory broke a long-standing monopoly at the top of the table, and propelled the club into the Champions League for the first time.In The Leicester City Story: Five Years On, acclaimed Athletic Leicester City correspondent Rob Tanner relives City's title win, their summer of celebration and the highs and lows of the next five years that led to their first FA Cup win in 2021.Detailing the dramatic changes in the club's management since 2016, and reflecting on the great legacy of the club's much-loved owner, Khun Vichai, Tanner tells the inside story of a remarkable team still on the rise.

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Book Synopsis‘The definitive work on Diego Maradona’ The 42 'One of football’s greatest stories ... this is the best football book in ages' Goal 'A modern footballing classic' FHM _________________________ Anyone doubting that Diego Maradona was more than just a football player had only to witness the outpourings after his death on November 25th 2020. During his tempestuous life and career, he played for top clubs in South America and Europe, notably Napoli where he became an adored hero and adopted son, and grew to be a legend in his homeland of Argentina after leading them to victory in the 1986 World Cup. Having gained access to his inner circle, Jimmy Burns traces Maradona’s life from the slums of Buenos Aires, where he was born, through his great years of triumph, to the United States from where, in 1994, he was ignobly expelled after undergoing a positive drugs test. He also tells of his failed attempt to bring further glory to Argentina as coach in the 2010 World Cup, and ultimately, his tragic decline and recent death. Widely regarded as the best and most revealing account of the highs, lows, genius and flaws of arguably the greatest footballer of all time, this biography inspired Asif Kapadia’s award-winning 2019 film Diego Maradona. _________________________ 'Excellent and well-researched' Sunday Times ‘I finished it thinking how great it would be to make something on Diego Maradona one day’ Asif Kapadia, director of Diego MaradonaTrade ReviewIf [those interviewed in this book] are my friends, I prefer to have enemies -- Diego MaradonaBurns’ forensic skills are to the fore in this deft, perceptive study of politics, corruption, exploitation and the occasional dash of genuine sporting genius * Time Out *An excellent book … The seamy backstairs politics of international soccer have never been more tellingly exposed * Financial Times *The Hand of God is illuminating and atmospheric as it cuts through the web of myth, mystery and full-blooded hypocrisy * Irish Times *Maradona’s life is one of grotesque farce ... Gazza’s career compared with this looks like Emmerdale sat next to the Borgias * Peter Davies, author of All Played Out *A compelling cocktail of celebration and cheating * Daily Mail *Excellent and well-researched * Sunday Times *Jaw-on-the-floor fascinating. A modern footballing classic * FHM *I finished it thinking how great it would be to make something on Diego Maradona -- Asif Kapadia, director of the award-winning film Diego MaradonaLove or hate the man, his is one of football’s greatest stories and so this is the best football book in ages * Goal *The definitive work on Diego Maradona * The 42 *A violent mix of sporting brilliance and personal disgrace * Daily Mirror *Shows that Maradona has got a lot of soul -- Noal Gallagher, Oasis

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Book Synopsis An epic tale of tragedy and resilience in a far, far-away land... An amazing book to read. There is no other sports story like it.' Leigh Montville, author and former writer for The Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated.The definitive account of one of the saddest chapters in sports history: the 1993 plane crash that killed Zambia''s national soccer team, and the inspiring story of the nation's remarkable comeback. The book details the tragedy, its aftermath and the incredible resilience and determination of a nation to rebuild and honour the memories of its fallen heroes, including: How Zambia was on the cusp of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the US before the tragedy How rebuilt Zambia defeated Morocco in its first game ten weeks after the crash, before storming into the final of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations 11 months later In-depth research and interviews with key figures on Zambia's rise as an African footballing power before the horrific plane crash that claimed the lives of most of its top players of that generation Insightful interviews with sources that spent time with the team in its final hours and minutes including the one person to board the doomed plane with the players and disembark before take-off How, before it crashed, the DHC-5D Buffalo military plane carrying Zambia's national team had been parked for four months at an air force base with AOG' status (i.e. with a serious technical fault) The lack of accountability: more than 30 years on, no official report on the crash has been released by Zambia according to former Zambian president Rupiah Banda, none was written or exists Meticulously researched, gripping and emotive, this book is a must-read for football and sports fans everywhere.

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Book SynopsisThe game isn't what it seems from the outside. The game isn't quite what I was expecting. The game doesn't always work like the people on television think it does. The game is better, worse and stranger than you can imagine, and that is coming from someone who saw it all with their own eyes.'Ever wondered what really goes on inside a Premier League dressing room, what it's like to train under Roy Hodgson, Roberto Mancini and Fabio Capello and what happens when you kick a sandwich at one of them?When it comes to football, former Manchester City and England star Micah Richards has seen it all and laughed about most of it. In The Game, Micah shares his funniest and frankest stories from on and off the pitch, be it arriving at his first England training session with two left boots, attempting to supervise the infamous Mario Balotelli or winding up Roy Keane on Super Sunday. From how he spent his first Premier League paycheque and how he prepared financially and mentally for the day theTrade Review“[A]n immensely readable book that takes us deep inside the strange and often unhinged hidden life of a Premier League footballer” Donald McRae, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisGary Imlach started out writing for national newspapers at the age of 18. He has worked for the BBC, ITN, CNN & Channel 4, and currently presents ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and American Football. He is also the producer of several documentaries, and in 2000 was nominated for a BAFTA as Editor-in-Chief of the BBC's Paralympics coverage in Sydney. This is his first book.Trade ReviewThe most emotionally charged and moving sports book I think I've ever read - Harry Ritchie, Daily Mail -- Daily Mail * Harry Ritchie *One of the most deserving William Hill winners in the award's history ... The book of the year -- Christopher Maume * Independent *A remarkable book... Imlach is a gifted writer, pungently aware, admirably combative, knowledgeable and compassionate -- Brian Glanville * Sunday Times *My Father and Other Working-Class Heroes immediately joins the Football Classic Club - whose members are bonded by using football as a backdrop for something entirely different... A beautiful personal history -- Rick Broadbent * Times *If I could have my memories of Stewart Imlach surgically extracted, I would wrap them carefully, put them in a box, and send them to his son. Unlike me, Gary Imlach never saw his father play football... But that has not prevented the son from producing one of the best sports books of recent years. A book to treasure -- Richard Williams * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2015In the last two decades football in Britain has made the transition from a peripheral dying sport to the very centre of our popular culture, from an economic basket-case to a booming entertainment industry. What does it mean when football becomes so central to our private and political lives? Has it enriched us or impoverished us?In this sparkling book David Goldblatt argues that no social phenomenon tracks the momentous economic, social and political changes of the post-Thatcherite era in a more illuminating manner than football, and no cultural practice sheds more light on the aspirations and attitudes of our long boom and now calamitous bust. A must-read for the thinking football fan, The Game of Our Lives will appeal to readers of Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby and Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson. It will also be relished by readers of British social history such as Austerity Britain by David Kynaston. ''Brilliantly incisive. Goldblatt is not merely the best football historian writing today, he is possibly the best there has ever been. Goldblatt''s book could hardly be more impressive'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewBrilliantly incisive. Goldblatt is not merely the best football historian writing today, he is possibly the best there has ever been. Goldblatt's book could hardly be more impressive -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *Offers an enlightening, enriching experience. It is based on a formidable range of sources, personal observation and a pleasingly sardonic turn of phrase. Not all football writers know their stuff, let alone the socio-economic context, but Goldblatt does. Altogether this is an exceptional book -- David Kynaston * Guardian *Not just the best soccer book in many years but an exemplary account of the changing character of British society in the post-Thatcher era -- David Runciman * Wall Street Journal *David Goldblatt examines [English football] peerlessly ... A superb history of a sport and of a nation * Evening Standard *Goldblatt is a trusted guide ... Rich with statistics, this is an admirably balanced account of the beautiful game * Daily Mail *Prodigious research and a fluent writing style ... this is a fine book which should have an appeal much beyond the game -- Mihir Bose * Independent *An encyclopaedic portrait of English football stripped of all the non-stop hype. The beautiful game is, after all, a dirty business * Financial Times (Life & Arts) *An intensely readable socioeconomic study of English football in the age of globalisation * New Statesman *A book that informs and inspires, a truly great piece of writing * Philosophy Football *The best pub talker of a book for years * Sunday Sport *Goldblatt has a gift for exploring the way the game holds a mirror up to our lives ... His deconstruction of the modern game could hardly be bettered * Observer *[A] bold analysis of Britain's economic and social change refracted through football * The Times *A salient overview of the past quarter-century * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisNo player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.Trade ReviewRich in detail and insight... fascinating stuff -- Sam Wallace * Independent *Nevastating -- Steven Howard * The Sun *The English generally like their professional footballers to be either thick or humble, preferably both. Gary Neville is neither and has taken plenty of flak about daring to have opinions. If he was Dutch or Italian, rather than from Bury, he'd be considered an intellectual and his views sought on world affairs * When Saturday Comes *Refreshing honesty... Although he's generally disliked by non-United fans and even derided as one of the least talented in a remarkable generation, you have to admire his staying power. His memoir presents a rounded footballer aware of the importance of work and the dedication needed to stay at the pinnacle of the game -- Rob Greig * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisThe prize-winning RAISED A WARRIOR is Susie Petruccelli's honest, human and cathartic story of how she, as player and mother, rediscovered herself and the love of a game that almost broke her. Alongside, she examines the growth of the women's game and the issues still confronting the sport as it fights for the equalities it deserves.Trade Review"Susie's inspirational story, full of hard truths, shows the strength we have within when we harness the power of sport to seek equality and live authentic lives." BILLIE JEAN KING. "Susie's powerful and inspiring story is a worthy winner of the Vikki Orvice Prize and a true testament to what it means to be a woman in football." JANE PURDON, CEO WOMEN IN FOOTBALL.

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Book SynopsisThe story of Leeds United in the 1970s when the club reached its peak under Manager Don Revie as arguably the best team in Europe although dogged by controversy, before its decline under a sequence of managers following Revie.

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Book SynopsisHarry and Jamie Redknapp's affectionate homage to football's most influential and intriguing characters.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most loved - and loving - father-and-son duos in the land, Harry and Jamie Redknapp are football royalty. Football runs through their veins. Both have enjoyed stellar careers on the pitch, in managerial dug-outs and in our television studios. But how did it all start, and what drove them on to be the football fanatics that they so passionately are today?A Family Obsession is the fascinating result of Harry and Jamie sitting round the kitchen table, where they discuss, debate, select and celebrate all aspects of the game that have inspired them. Who are the men who impacted their careers and fired that all-consuming passion for football? This is a deep dive into the matches, the players, the managers and the changes that have spanned their two generations. With amusing anecdotes, Harry and Jamie reveal the individuals who have set their pulses racing, opened their minds, enriched their football lives and stimulated their respective love affairs with the sport. From childhood idols to role models in young adulthood, from beloved team-mates to bitter rivals, from genius managers to the game's great mavericks - from Pele and Maradona to Bobby Moore and Lionel Messi via Steven Gerrad and Pep Guardiola - all are brought to life by two of the country's most knowledgeable, animated and beloved football obsessives.

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Book SynopsisRespected collector of United memorabilia, and editor of Manchester United Review Collectors Club for more than twenty years, Iain McCartney looks at some of the most iconic and interesting pieces of Manchester United history.

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE ‘The greatest story in English sport told beautifully by one of its greatest writers’ Gary Lineker 'A spellbinding piece of work' Oliver Holt; 'Absolute tour de force' Henry WinterAward-winning writer Paul Hayward delivers a compelling and unmissable account of the story of the England men's football team, published as they prepare for the World Cup in Qatar.  On 30 November 1872, England took on Scotland at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow, a match that is regarded as the first international fixture. More than 5,000 fans watched the two sides play out a 0-0 draw. It was the first of more than a thousand games played by the side, and the beginning of a national love affair that unites the country in a way that few other events can match. In Hayward's brilliant new biography of the team, based on interviews with doze

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2022 Sports Book Awards''brave ... visceral ... a brilliant, brilliant read ... I would recommend this book to everyone.'' Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 Live''so honest ... everybody should read Hooked to understand what anybody in this situation has been through.'' Susanna Reid, Good Morning Britain''a fantastic book ... a remarkable read.'' Richard Madeley, Good Morning Britain''Brave, poignant and very moving. This book will change lives.'' Jamie Redknapp''A courageous, emotional and vitally important book.'' Jeff StellingPaul Merson''s wonderfully moving and brutally honest memoir of battling addiction for three decades.For twenty-one years Paul Merson played professional football. He won two First Division titles with Arsenal and was one of the finest players of his generation. But for thirty years Paul Merson has also been an addict. Alcohol, drugs, gambling: a desperately unenviable cocktail of addictions and depression which has plagued his entire adult life and driven him to the verge of suicide. ''I''ve come to realise that I''m powerless over alcohol ... I''m an alcoholic. My drinking and gambling have left a lot of wreckage.'' Until recently the drinking and gambling were still raging. ''I wanted to kill myself. I couldn''t go on anymore. I just couldn''t see a way out.'' Then something clicked. ''One day, I was walking home from the pub late on a Sunday evening, and I thought to myself: I''ve had enough of feeling like this, every day of my life. I rang up Alcoholics Anonymous the next day, and since then I haven''t had a drink.''Hooked is Merson''s wonderfully moving and brutally honest memoir of battling addiction, searingly charting his journey over three decades. It is absolutely unflinching in detailing his emotional and psychological troughs and in raking over the painful embers of an adult life blighted by such debilitating issues. Hooked will kick-start a crucial national conversation about addiction, depression and the damage they wreak. ''Addiction is the loneliest of places. You''re a slave to insecurity and ego. But it has to be you that wants things to change. Never be afraid to talk: the more you talk about the addictions the more it takes the power out of them. You''re never alone.''Trade ReviewBrave, poignant and very moving. This book will change lives. -- Jamie RedknappA courageous, emotional and vitally important book. -- Jeff StellingEven when baring his soul, Paul Merson is entertainingly fluent in the language of football. The Merse's new book, Hooked, is frank, sometimes funny, often horrifying. * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017 SHORTLISTED FOR THE FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR, SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2018The full story of the man who brought unprecedented and since unmatched success to Liverpool FC. Bob Paisley was the quiet man in the flat cap who swept all domestic and European opposition aside and produced arguably the greatest club team that Britain has ever known. The man whose Liverpool team won trophies at a rate-per-season that dwarfs Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements at Manchester United and who remains the only Briton to lead a team to three European Cups. From Wembley to Rome, Manchester to Madrid, Paisley's team was the one no one could touch. Working in a city which was on its knees, in deep post-industrial decline, still tainted by the 1981 Toxteth riots and in a state of open warfare with Margaret Thatcher, he delivered a golden era never re-attained since which made the city of Liverpool synonymous with success and won them supporteTrade ReviewAn evocative, intimate portrait -- Rory Smith * New York Times *Quiet Genius is like its subject, a winner and surely a candidate already for the best football books of the year, whether you are of a Liverpool FC persuasion or not. * Blackpool Gazette *Terrific * Scotland on Sunday *Herbert has written perhaps the best Paisley biography, emphasising how hard work, an uncanny eye for a player and a belief that football is, at its heart, a simple game, worked wonders. * Bristol Post *This brilliant new book chronicles how Bob Paisley the player reinvented himself as Bob the builder, Bob the physio, and ultimately Bob the all-conquering manager * LFC Magazine *This biography puts Paisley on the map once again and brings him into the discussion of being one of the world’s best football managers ever. Herbert deserves loads of credit for this as no other author could deliver a text as great as this. Kudos to Bloomsbury for yet another great football title and perhaps the top title of 2017 * International Soccer Network *A cut above many formulaic sports books. * Daily Telegraph *A beautifully constructed tribute to the virtues of the quiet approach, and all the more stirring for arriving in an age of constant noise. * The Times (Saturday review) *The depth of research is outstanding with the input of former players and coaches providing authoritative insights into a great man. * Daily Express *Herbert will leave you with no doubt regarding Paisley’s exalted position in football’s pantheon. * Coach *Herbert’s biography of Bob Paisley, the great Liverpool manager, is also a vivid - and often unflattering – portrait of Seventies football. * The TImes Saturday Review *An eloquent portrait of the introvert who became Liverpool’s greatest manager of all time. * Daily Express *Herbert reveals the paradoxes of the most unassuming boss to find footballing immortality and bring Anfield unparalleled glory. * Sunday Mirror *Ian Herbert’s book is a beautifully constructed tribute to the virtues of the quiet approach, and all the more stirring for arriving in an age of constant noise. * The Times *Table of ContentsPrologue 1 On Bank 2 Isn't That So, Bob? 3 Not Me 4 Hello, Boss 5 Room with No Windows 6 We Need to Talk about Kevin 7 Munching Gladback 8 Transfer Committee 9 Red Tree Challenge 10 Frank's Lonely Spirit 11 Hetton Spirit 12 Trouble 13 End of the Road 14 Afterwards Epilogue Bibliography Acknowledgements Index

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Book Synopsis'I loved every page, and ended up admiring David Kynaston, our greatest social historian, even more than I already did' Nick Hornby Brimming with wisdom and humour, David Kynaston’s diaries written over one football season offer up his most personal take on social history to date. David Kynaston was seven and a half years old when he attended his first Aldershot match in the early months of 1959. So began a deep attachment to the game and a lifelong loyalty to an obscure, small-town football club. Though as he sits down to write his diaries almost sixty years on, he reflects that life might have been simpler if his father had never taken him to that first match at the Rec… Shots in the Dark is the diary David Kynaston kept in the football season of 2016/17, detailing the ups and downs of the ‘Shots’ in the year that saw a divisive referendum in the UK and the impending ascension of Donald Trump. Here Kynaston presents a social history of modern Britain with a difference – all through the prism of the beautiful game. A testament to the ways in which fandom gives solidity and security to our lives, particularly in these bewildering and rapidly changing times, Shots in the Dark gets to the heart of what it means to be a devoted follower of a sports team. This is a diary of the macro and the micro, as questions of loyalty, of identity, of liberalism and of nationalism all rub uncomfortably up against each other during nine charged months. ____________________ 'A master socioeconomic craftsman' Guardian '[A] delightful book … This is a book about football but, like all the best books, it is about a thousand other things as well … This thrilling, intimate, sometimes poignant, often wonderfully funny book shows the workings in real time of a deeply civilised, humane and tolerant mind in an age when those virtues are in short supply. Here is a man with whom you would want to go to a match, and even share a beer afterwards. David Kynaston is one of the good guys, and this is one of the very good books' Daily Mail 'A charming diary ... He’s the sort of fan I want to sit next to: partisan yet civil, eyes on the match but aware there are bigger things to worry about' Financial TimesTrade Review[A] delightful book … This is a book about football but, like all the best books, it is about a thousand other things as well … This thrilling, intimate, sometimes poignant, often wonderfully funny book shows the workings in real time of a deeply civilised, humane and tolerant mind in an age when those virtues are in short supply. Here is a man with whom you would want to go to a match, and even share a beer afterwards. David Kynaston is one of the good guys, and this is one of the very good books -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *Kynaston strikes a distinctive voice that is in turns warm and sharp and heavy-hearted and dismayed … The pages are filled with entries like this: easily absorbed and entertaining but deceptively thought-provoking … This fascinating book of opinion and reflection offers a wistful snapshot of the rewards of staying the course with the team -- Keith Duggan * Irish Times *A charming diary ... He’s the sort of fan I want to sit next to: partisan yet civil, eyes on the match but aware there are bigger things to worry about -- Murad Ahmed * Financial Times *David Kynaston is one of the great chroniclers of our modern story * Sunday Times *A master socioeconomic craftsman * Guardian *A historian of peerless sensitivity and curiosity about the lives of individuals * Financial Times *A surprising book about life as a fan of a non-league club – surprising in that it finds room for HG Wells’ argument with Henry James and the calamitous state of liberal democracy, as well as the 2016/17 National League playoffs. I loved every page, and ended up admiring David Kynaston, our greatest social historian, even more than I already did -- Nick Hornby

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Book SynopsisBehind the Curtain of the Beautiful Game is a collection of short stories and interviews that take you on a journey through the game we love. Enjoy stories from iconic players, managers, and referees, each sharing unique insights from their time in the game as well as executives, pundits, writers broadcasters taking you beyond the pitch. Written by debut author Callum McFadden and featuring never-before-told stories from the likes of Martin O'Neill, Ron Atkinson, Les Ferdinand, Jeff Stelling, Martin Tyler, Norman Whiteside and others, Behind the Curtain of the Beautiful Game is a reminder of why we love football. All profits from this book will be donated to mental health charity 'Man On Inverclyde'.Trade Review"An outstanding insight into mad world of football." - Willie Morgan

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Book SynopsisCeltic Football Club’s story is laced with drama and excitement, featuring a host of colourful individuals and a social history matched by few, if any, football clubs.In Celtic: Pride and Passion, Lisbon Lion Jim Craig and Pat Woods, a historian of the club, take a fresh look at several lesser-known episodes in Celtic’s history, including: the fascinating link between Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and a dramatic Ne’erday match at Celtic Park; the unforgettable night the ‘playboy of the Eastern world’ lit up Parkhead with a performance that helped to sow the seeds for a revolution at the club; the remarkable story of a trophy that was such a source of friction that the club kept it locked in a safe; and the pivotal year in which the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers took on a darker hue. They also recount the revealing story, told through the eyes of the European press, of how Celtic captivated a continent in the annus mirabilis of 1967.Celtic: Pride and Passion is a book that no discerning fan of Celtic Football Club will want to be without.

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Book Synopsis

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