Association football (Soccer) Books

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERThe Trophies … The Tuesday Club … The Prawn Crackers … Marc Overmars may have given him the nickname, but the Romford Pele is a legend in his own right. Over 16 action-packed years, from a trainee scrubbing the boots of the first XI, to a record-breaking 333 Premier League appearances, Ray Parlour’s never-say-die performances, curly locks and mischievous sense of humour have gone down in Arsenal history.Battling tirelessly on the pitch, often in the shadows of his star-name teammates, Parlour won three premier league titles and four FA Cup trophies with the Gunners. But he was also the heart and soul of the dressing room, the training ground and the after work drink. From nights out with Tony Adams, to teaching Thierry Henry cockney rhyming slang, from playing golf with Dennis Bergkamp to trading Inspector Clouseau jokes with Arsène Wenger, this wonderfully funny and candid autobiography looks back on a golden age of the beautiful game, reliving the banter, the stories and the success.Ray Parlour is an Arsenal legend. During his 16-year career he won 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and the UEFA Cup. One of the most underrated players of his generation, he was also part of Arsenal’s famous Invincible team of 2003/4, which went the entire Premier League season unbeaten. He is now a regular pundit for TalkSport and Sky Sports. He enjoys a short back and sides.Trade ReviewBrilliant, hilarious . . . Bound to have you in stitches * Sun *A riot of anecdotes and escapades * Sunday Times *Hilarious * Soccer AM *Nobody ever wore the Arsenal shirt with more pride than Ray Parlour * Piers Morgan *Parlour emerges as somebody who is open and generous, always up for a laugh, rarely thinking of the consequences * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisThey think it’s all over…it is now, with this comprehensive guide to football shirts through the years. From the obscure to the ubiquitous, The Football Shirts Book is packed with over 150 original and super rare shirts from the greatest game on earth. Covering everything from the iconic to the unusual, even the most hard-core fans will find out something new about the kit of their favourite team.Including full-colour photography, as well as interviews with football shirt design teams, musicians, and fashion designers, this guide offers a full exploration of the brands, design, and sponsorship history behind the world’s best-loved football shirts. It is a must-have for those crazy about football shirts, as well as those whose interest is piqued by history, design, and pop-culture.

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Book SynopsisLiverpool FC: Minute by Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Reds' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From the Reds' early successes to the glory years of domestic and European dominance, the book covers everything from the Bill Shankly era to the heavy-metal swashbuckling football of Jurgen Klopp's thrilling side. Revisit Liverpool's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's glorious past. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Anfield and around the world, Liverpool FC: Minute by Minute is packed with memorable moments. From Keegan to Salah, from Neal to Robertson, from European and Champions League finals to bruising Merseyside derbies, battles with the Manchester giants and incredible goals - the book is filled with thrilling memories from kick-off through to the final whistle.

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Book SynopsisAlthough well-known as the birthplace of Charles Darwin and for its idyllic location on the River Severn, in footballing terms Shrewsbury was still a backwater in the late 1970s. But Town's promotion for the first time in their history to Football League Division Two in 1979 changed all that. The 'Spirit of 79' propelled them into the limelight with a famous FA Cup run and an unlikely Third Division title triumph. Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham would now be heading to Gay Meadow, and predictably Shrewsbury were the pundits' favourites for relegation. Come On You Blues is a vivid, first-hand account of Town's inaugural campaign in Division Two in 1979/80, as seen through the eyes of a 15-year-old fan and proud owner of a GBP12 junior season ticket. The book recalls the thrills and anguish of following a small team from Shropshire battling for survival in the second tier, and defying the odds by trouncing footballing giants, upstaging local rivals and scrubbing up well against exciting, up-and-coming sides.

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Book SynopsisLeeds United Minute By Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Whites' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From United's early years and successes to the days of domestic dominance in the late 1960s and early 70s, the book covers everything from the Don Revie and David O'Leary eras through to the days of Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa. Revisit United's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's proud history. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Elland Road and around the world, Leeds United Minute By Minute is packed with memorable moments. From Clarke to Lorimer and from Viduka to Becchio - all the club legends are here, with thrilling memories from kick-off to the final whistle.

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Book SynopsisCELEBRATE THE MANAGER OF ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP FINALISTS!Is there anyone with a track record like Sarina Wiegman? Undefeated at any finals, she is the epitome of success, so shouldn't you... be more Sarina?Here are 80 scenarios in which Sarina would operate with flawless efficiency, such as:· Sarina would never wear a half-and-half scarf.· Sarina could design a VAR system that everyone was happy with.· Sarina could make cyclists and taxi drivers get along.· Sarina always believed it would take women to bring it home.Perfect for the footy fan in your life, Be More Sarina is the fun way to celebrate England's most successful football manager.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR, SPORTS BOOK AWARDS'Beautifully written and immaculately researched. Jonathan Wilson is the finest sports writer of his generation' Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk RoadsIn 1953, the Mighty Magyars beat England 6-3 at Wembley, a result that echoes through the history of football. A year earlier, this Hungarian team had won Olympic gold. A year later, they lost agonisingly in the final of a World Cup that they dominated. This is the beginning, middle and end of Hungarian football in the popular imagination.Only, how come the ideas from this team spread around the world? Why do Hungarian managers spring up in Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, across Europe and the Americas, bringing their secrets with them? And what are the incredible stories they have to tell, of escaping the Nazis and the Soviet communists?How did the history of modern football come to be born in the Budapest coffeehouses of the early twentieth century?Fifteen years in the making, this new book from bestselling football historian Jonathan Wilson is the missing piece of the jigsaw; the forgotten story in football's history, lost in war, in revolution, in death and tragedy.Trade ReviewOne hell of a story, with a teller to match * When Saturday Comes *Chaos, tragedy and doomed romance. A fascinating book -- Dominic Sandbrook * History Today *Beautifully written and immaculately researched, this brilliant and often moving book restores Hungary and Hungarian football to the heart of the story of modern game. The Names Heard Long Ago is not just a good football book; it's a wonderful history too of triumph and tragedy in Central Europe in the 20th century - set on a global stage. Jonathan Wilson is the finest sports writer of his generation. * Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads *Brilliant football historian Wilson has penned another fascinating book * Sunday Sport *

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Book SynopsisIn 2012, English football was rocked by the biggest match-fixing operation to hit these shores in recent times. An Asian syndicate had infiltrated the Conference South with players being offered vast sums of money to help rig games and net millions of pounds for the fixers. Loyal fans attending matches were oblivious to the fact that outcomes had been predetermined. The remarkable story of how this syndicate was able to take hold of the national sport is told to us by a man who not only played in many of these games, but went to jail for helping to fix them - Moses Swaibu. Fixed breaks new ground as Moses Swaibu becomes the first player ever to write openly about how he helped to fix games, revealing exactly what happens on the pitch when a match is being manipulated. He also exposes how the criminal gangs operate, how young professional players are targeted and groomed and the threats of violence that are used to keep them in check. Offering a fascinating insight into the ugly side of the beautiful game, it's a sporting autobiography like none ever written before.

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Book SynopsisAddicted to Football: A Journey from Anfield to Almost Everywhere is the autobiography of former professional footballer Jon Newby. His career took him from a single Premier League appearance with Liverpool to playing for clubs all over the country in the top eight tiers of the football pyramid. There was also a spell in Scottish football and a venture into non-league management. As a young player, Jon achieved his dream as he walked out in front of a packed Kop at Anfield. But ultimately his name was better known by Bury, Morecambe and Colwyn Bay fans, rather than by Liverpool fans. His story gives a fascinating insight into the unpredictable world of the journeyman footballer, covering battles with injuries, managers and even his own mind. Jon's biggest battle, however, came when he was diagnosed with an incurable heart condition and the game he was addicted to put his life in serious danger.

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Book SynopsisFeeling Blue is a football fan's memoir like no other. Spanning more than 35 years and set across three continents, it is a true story that encompasses love, race and identity - all interweaved with the chaotic fall and rise of Manchester City. Dickie Denton was born into a 1960s Manchester home with many siblings, one of whom was adopted and of Asian parentage. As he grew up, Dickie faced the twin challenges of racist bullying and academic underachievement. Football was his refuge and Manchester City became his obsession - through boyhood, coming of age and adulthood. By middle age he had the trappings of a successful international business career but still craved the thing that he most desired and continued to elude him: success for Manchester City. His story dramatically climaxes in 2012, on a sultry May night in Singapore. Feeling Blue is not just for Man City fans, or even just football fans. It is a deeply personal story told with humour and honesty that will appeal to all and bring forth tears and laughter in equal measure.

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Book SynopsisAs a young footballer, Clare Shine appeared to have it all. She won her first international call-up at age 13, and by 15 was part of the Republic of Ireland Women's under-17 squad. But the pressure of being a star striker weighed heavily on her young shoulders. By age 19, she had played in a UEFA European Championship and a FIFA World Cup, scored the winner in a Cup Final, won her first senior international cap and become a full-time professional player. But she had also become addicted to alcohol, experimented with drugs, suffered panic attacks and attempted suicide for the first time. This is the story of someone trapped in a world where the weight of expectancy and the battle with personal demons was all washed away, albeit temporarily, whenever she put the ball in the back of the net. It is the story of a girl struggling to find her true identity, a journey in search of confidence and self-belief from someone who seemingly had it in abundance, and a remarkable tale of recovery and achieving new goals.

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Book SynopsisThe Jimmy Greaves We Knew celebrates the life and career of a national treasure through the memories of friends, family, team-mates, the media and fans. They recall a goalscoring great, a TV celebrity - most notably as one half of the legendary Saint and Greavsie - a newspaper columnist, comedian and raconteur who battled alcohol addiction. The modern game also pays tribute to this charismatic, friendly, down-to-earth, witty individual who built a reputation for hitting the back of the net playing for Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and England. Greaves set a European record of 357 goals in 516 top-flight games and netted 44 in 57 full international appearances. Tragically, Greaves suffered a stroke in 2015 and died on 19 September 2021, when two of his former clubs, Spurs and Chelsea - plus 60,000 fans - gave him a minute's applause before they played each other at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The love and affection is as strong as ever.

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Book SynopsisIn the fourth book in the acclaimed Turf Wars series, veteran journalist and broadcaster Steve Tongue chronicles the competitive history of football in Yorkshire.Sports-mad Yorkshire is proud to be the home of football, the birthplace of the world''s oldest independent club as long ago as 1857. So the turf wars began earlier than anywhere else, often with bad blood spilt when Sheffield FC took on neighbouring Hallam. Fierce rivalries that remain to this day emerged among two new Sheffield clubs, Wednesday and United, plus Doncaster Rovers, Rotherham United and early FA Cup winners Barnsley; then in West Riding''s Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield.After a national Football League was founded, the county had at least one team in the top division from 1892 for the next 90 years, capable of winning the English game''s biggest honours.This book charts the ever-changing fortunes of one of the great football regions, with a colourful cast of famous play

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Book SynopsisJeff Goulding''s Red Odyssey, an epic chronicle of Liverpool FC''s history, continues with more tales of drama and joy, heroes and villains, victors and vanquished.In 2020, Klopp''s Reds captured the club''s first league title in 30 years, completing a remarkable treble of domestic, European and world honours. Jurgen''s Last Stand: Red Odyssey IV is the story of what came next, reliving how Jürgen came agonisingly close to a clean sweep of all available honours in 2022 before carrying off a domestic cup double.Goulding treats us to a supporter''s-eye view of the drama in Paris, which is emotively contrasted with a glorious homecoming that enveloped the team and the city of Liverpool in a blanket of solidarity and celebration.Finally, as a tired Klopp battles to build Liverpool 2.0, supporters are rocked by his decision to step down at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, before their passionate response propels him and the club through yet another hist

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Book SynopsisWinner Stays On journeys into the heart of English football using FA Cup fixtures to plan the route.This unique adventure takes us across the entire spectrum of the English game, from Tuffley Rovers to Burton Albion, Luton Town to Manchester City, revealing the people and places that make football tick. With original research and rich, thought-provoking prose, the book blends elements of travel writing with football culture and barstool sociology. It's also funny.A frank account of the state of modern football as well as a heartfelt celebration, the book uncovers where the game is going wrong. Amateur footballers are afforded the same curiosity as Premier League stars; faltering industrial towns are treated with the same respect as upmarket villages and prosperous, world-leading cities.Over 14 matches and 14 locations, Winner Stays On brings us a fascinating first-hand take on modern England and the sport its inhabitants turn to for escapism.Trade Review"[The book] takes the armchair reader on a journey across England by way of following teams, towns, and cities as balls are drawn out of the bag, round by round, for the FA Cup... R M Clark describes his emotions and experiences, the people he met and of course the main match action. An original idea made more interesting by all the pleasant, personal touches." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *

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Book Synopsis(Still) Ain't Got a Barrel of Money charts Sheffield United's astonishing rise from the brink of oblivion, after dropping to the Fourth Division for the first (and only) time in its history, to competing in the inaugural Premier League season. It tells the story of the managers and the players who gave Blades fans back their pride.

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Book SynopsisNamaste, Geezer is a revealing and trenchant memoir by one of England's top national newspaper reporters, who has seen and covered it all, from the Heysel disaster to World Cups, plus the death of Princess Diana.Most football fans who grew up loving the game in the hooliganism-blighted 1970s probably experienced running from opposition fans at some point. For Shekhar Bhatia, the menacing enemy was within the nastier, right-wing elements among fans of his own team. Taken to West Ham by his father, who arrived in Britain from India in the late 1950s, young Shekhar just could not understand the hate directed towards rare Asian-heritage fans back then, and has since spent a lifetime steering a path between his loyalty to the Hammers and racism in the game.Often shocking, ultimately joyous, this is a tale of rising above prejudice to fulfil ambitions, in both football and journalism.

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Book Synopsis'A brilliant insight into Liam's life in football' Kevin Moran'Insightful, often joyous, and hugely entertaining' Roddy Doyle'One of our country's great footballers, and definitely our most beautiful' - John GilesThe #2 Irish Bestseller"Being a footballer was my destiny." After being expelled from school for playing football for his country, fifteen-year-old Liam Brady travelled to London to join Arsenal, and soon became an indispensable part of their glorious 1970s team. Rightly considered one of the Republic of Ireland's best-ever footballers, he went on to enjoy successes with Juventus, Sampdoria and West Ham, as well as managing Celtic and Brighton and Hove, and becoming assistant manager of his national team. Today he is best known for his much-respected TV punditry and searingly intelligent insights into the game he adores. Full of honest insights, amusing anecdotes and recollections of extraordinary times, with Born to be a Footballer Brady delivers a compelling story of a fifty-year career that is unparalleled in Irish sport.Trade Review'Once in a generation you find a most gifted and talented player. In my generation of the 70s and 80s that player was Liam Brady. This book is a brilliant insight into Liam's life in football. He is honest about his ups and downs and will bring back great memories for all of us who grew up in this era' -- Kevin Moran'Any book about Liam Brady had better be good - and this one is very, very good. It is insightful, often joyous, and hugely entertaining. I loved it' -- Roddy Doyle'One of our country's great footballers, and definitely our most beautiful' -- John Giles'By any measure, an incredible life. And a book that more than does it justice' -- Malachy Clerkin

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Book SynopsisRelive Scotland's epic journey to and at the 1990 World Cup in Italy: the trials and tribulations, the dramatic games and goals that defined Scotland's fifth World Cup in a row. Just how did the unheralded Andy Roxburgh lead Scotland through a tough qualifying group? Featuring players' and fans' stories, this is the definitive account.

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Book SynopsisBill McCracken, the Offside King is the first biography of a football pioneer and Newcastle United legend who forced a change which altered how football was played. Known as the 'Offside King', Bill was a key figure in Newcastle's famous Edwardian line-up. Discover the colourful career and life of a hugely influential figure.

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Book SynopsisRobin Friday was an exceptional footballer who should have played for England. He never did. Robin Friday was a brilliant player who could have played in the top flight. He never did. Why? Because Robin Friday was a man who would not bow down to anyone, who refused to take life seriously and who lived every moment as if it were his last. For anyone lucky enough to have seen him play, Robin Friday was up there with the greats. Take it from one who knows: 'There is no doubt in my mind that if someone had taken a chance on him he would have set the top division alight,' says the legendary Stan Bowles. 'He could have gone right to the top, but he just went off the rails a bit.' Loved and admired by everyone who saw him, Friday also had a dark side: troubled, strong-minded, reckless, he would end up destroying himself. Tragically, after years of alcohol and drug abuse, he died at the age of 38 without ever having fulfilled his potential. The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw provides the first full appreciation of a man too long forgotten by the world of football, and, along with a forthcoming film based on Friday's life, with a screenplay by co-author Paolo Hewitt, this book will surely give him the cult status he deserves.Trade ReviewA story of shattered dreams, hedonism and a short life lived very much to the full . . . this is one of the essential modern football books * FourFourTwo *It has a magical atmosphere and is easily the most compulsive soccer biography you'll ever read * Melody Maker *A terrific read * Daily Mail *Poignant, funny and tragic * The Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisThis book contains as full a statistical record as archival data permits for games played by the England Women's National team from their first official match played against Scotland in 1972 to the final match played in 2022.

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Book SynopsisA statistical guide to football in Poland, covering the top division from inception to 2024 with home-and-away' charts showing results plus final tables for each season. Also includes tables for some regional leagues, 1919-1927 plus Polish Cup results for the final 3 rounds in every year and team line-ups and scorers for the Final itself.

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Book SynopsisArsenal 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 red-and-white history - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's Victorian roots playing in donated shirts right up to the Emirates era, Gunners fans have witnessed league, cup and Double triumphs, hard-fought derbies and unforgettable European nights - all featured here. All-time greats including Thierry Henry and George Armstrong, Liam Brady, Charlie George and Eddie Hapgood loom larger than life - while their team-mates bare their buttocks before the North Bank, score solo pop hits and win Olympic gold medals. Find out which legend debuted on the day George Graham was born; the day which links Bertie Mee and Arsene Wenger; and which Arsenal manager was sacked on Friday the 13th.

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Book SynopsisFollowing Leeds United is anything but easy. The ups and downs as the club has marched on together range from huge highs to near extinction. As the Whites celebrate 100 years since they came into existence in 1919, James Buttler chronicles a dramatic history through the eyes of the 36 managers that have taken their turn in the dugout. From Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson, who both took Leeds United to the pinnacle of the English game, to Brian Clough, Dave Hockaday and Darko Milanic, whose tenure came and went in a matter of days. The 36 managers of Leeds United have stepped up, excited, enjoyed and endured. Whether successful or not, they took on the challenge. Relaying their experiences through extensive research and exclusive interviews with Kevin Blackwell. Simon Grayson, Howard Wilkinson, George Graham and Eddie Gray, the tale of a great club is told. 100 years where dreams, careers and legends were forged. Where trophies and titles were won. Huge European evenings and stylish football, which made Leeds United the best team in the game. And relegations, financial calamities and strife, which tested them all. 100 years of Leeds United has often frustrated, sometimes delivered dreams, but has never been dull.

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

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2023 Sports Book Awards for Best Football Writing of the Year Discover the origins of the Lionesses that brought football home. England's Lionesses are on the front and back pages; their stars feature on prime-time television; they are named in the national honours lists for their contribution to their sport and to society. The names of Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and Ellen White are emblazoned across the backs of children’s replica jerseys. These women are top athletes – and top celebrities. But in 1921, the Football Association introduced a ban on women’s football, pronouncing the sport 'quite unsuitable for females'. That ban would last for half a century - but despite official prohibition the women’s game went underground. From the Dick, Kerr Ladies touring the world to the Lost Lionesses who played at the unsanctioned Women's World Cup in Mexico in 1971, generations of women defied the restrictions and laid the foundations for today's Lionesses - so much so that in 2018 England's Women’s Super League became the first fully professional league in Europe...when just a few decades previously women were forbidden to play the sport in England at all. This book tells the story of women’s football in England since its 19th-century inception through pen portraits of its trailblazers. The game might have once been banned because of its popularity – find out about the subversive women who kept organising their teams and matches despite the prohibition, who broke barriers and set records – the legends of the game who built the foundations of the stage upon which today’s stars flourish. 'At what feels like a pivotal moment, Carrie’s forensic research and depth of knowledge make her the perfect person to guide us through the constantly changing landscape of women’s football' - Kelly Cates, TV presenterTrade Review'At what feels like a pivotal moment, Carrie’s forensic research and depth of knowledge make her the perfect person to guide us through the constantly changing landscape of women’s football' -- Kelly Cates, TV presenter'One of the most talented and considered minds working in women’s football today' -- Carl Anka * The Athletic *'The name of this book is taken from the reason given by the Football Association when it banned women from playing football in 1921. Carrie Dunn gives you a detailed look at that era in time and paints portraits of the trailblazers who built the foundations for today’s game' * Goal.com - 12 best things to buy to celebrate the 2022 Women's European Championship *'When it comes to women’s football and the history of the Lionesses, Carrie always brings expertise at the back, amazing research in centre midfield and never misses up front when it comes to passion' -- Colin Murray, BBC Radio 5 Presenter and Writer'Her passion and erudition seep through every syllable' * The Guardian *'It now feels extraordinary how invisible women have been in the history of sport - gaps that are starting to fill like in the insightful work of Carrie Dunn's Unsuitable for Females. She does great job recreating the past, taking us to the present and raising questions. More of that please!' -- Guillem Balague, football broadcaster and expert'Carrie Dunn's passion for her subject is there on every page. A brilliantly researched and important book' -- Adrian Durham, football broadcaster and award-winning author'I've worked with Carrie and I know 'Unsuitable for Females' will be an insightful, enlightening, witty, and thought-provoking read' -- Ricky Hill, former England men's international'Carrie Dunn is an inspiration - she has been championing women in football for many years, through her research, teaching and journalism. Those recent converts to the joy of the women's game will find Carrie's work on the Lionesses' history gives rich context to this success' -- Jo Swinson, author of 'Equal Power' and former MP'Unsuitable for Females is far more than just a history book ... [it] is a triumph of storytelling and skilfully fills in some of those historical gaps from the sport that have remained unexplored for too long' -- Tim Stillman, football writer'This book shows how women's football had to fight for its presence. It's extremely well written' -- Stuart Cosgrove * Off the Ball *'Carrie is my go-to for anything concerning The Lionesses. She’s always got an anecdote or insight I’ve never heard or considered before. Impeccably researched, I implore you to read Unsuitable for Females from cover to cover' -- Lynsey Hooper, presenter and broadcaster'One of the leading voices in women's football' * Mirror Sport *'Just incredible ... it’s so interesting' -- Nicky Campbell * BBC Radio 5 *'A great book ... a remarkable story' * BBC CWR (Coventry and Warwickshire), Breakfast Show *'A fantastic, really interesting history' -- Trisha Goddard'Recounting the troubled, shocking but ultimately immensely inspirational story of the women's game in England, Dunn's riveting book tells of the courageous female players who defied the half-century ban on women's football and the glorious rise of the Lionesses' * Waterstones Online *

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Book SynopsisBryan Gibson grew up watching football, wishing he was on the pitch rather than in the crowd. After securing a trial at a well-known club, he was thrilled to be called into the manager’s office only to be asked ‘What would you do if you weren’t to play football?’ Part fact, part fiction and inspired by the author’s calamitous attempts to become a professional, Football’s Tallest Tales spans every aspect of The Beautiful Game and tells of the many fascinating characters he met along the way. The book includes a madcap reinvention of soccer that introduces readers to such fictional legends of football as Stanley Accrington, Betty Skyrocket and over-zealous supporter Hyam Keenbritches. Covering every aspect of the game, including the invention of Dragon Grease (an indispensable aid), the gestation of women’s football, the demise of the annual Goalkeepers’ Convention and other stories, Football’s Tallest Tales also homes in on such farcical real-life muses as the cricket teacher who morphed into the umpire Dickie Bird, Herman the German of Bayern Munich FC, and Sandy Soot, football angel turned chimney sweep who showed the author how to take the perfect penalty kick. Featuring many present-day football clubs, players and comical events as well as explaining such mysteries as why Barnsley FC supporters are all poets, playwrights and performers. A totally original super-spoof – the ideal gift for any football fan.Trade Review‘The runaway best-seller that upped and ran away’– Radio Water Bottle; ‘If you want to know how footballs came to be round not square this book contains all you need to know’– Anon; ‘Ground breaking’– Groundsman’s Weekly; ‘A perfect cure for football fever’– Society of the Wet Sponge.Table of ContentsKick Off; 10 minutes; Tall Tale No.1 - Stanley Accrington; 15 minutes; Tall Tale No.2 - Superfan; 30 minutes; Tall Tale No.3 - Old Soss; 43 minutes; Tall Tale No.4 - The Goalkeepers’ Convention; 45 minutes; Tall Tale No.5 - Pundit Wars; 65 minutes; 80 minutes — Cricket Break; Tall Tale No.6 - The Trip That Changed Football; 82 minutes 37 seconds; Tall Tale No.7 - Strange Games; 90 minutes; Tall Tale No.8 - Dragon Grease; Stoppage time; Tall Tale No.9 - Cup Finals; Extra time; Squeaky bum time.

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Book SynopsisSir David Murray's life story is a truly remarkable tale of never-say-die triumph over unimaginable adversity. For 50 years he has been a towering figure in Scottish business, sport and philanthropy. His family name is synonymous with steel but his rise to power owes as much to mettle as it does to metal.

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Book SynopsisFull colour and packed with action photos, this book profiles the best players in the world, telling the stories of their rise and success. Each player is profiled in a dedicated spread with key statistics and points of interest.

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

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Book Synopsis'Fantastic book written by a true LFC legend.' Jurgen Klopp'George Sephton is part of the brickwork of Liverpool Football Club and was witness to so many iconic moments. He has lived through a huge chunk of our history, from when Liverpool were in the Second Division, when he used to come to Anfield with his father, all the way to being crowned World Club and Premier League champions. It's been a rollercoaster ride, and George has been there for all the ups and downs - but mainly the ups.' Sir Kenny Dalglish'The voice of George Sephton has been heard at Anfield for so long that you could be forgiven for imagining him poised with a wind-up gramophone and a 78-rpm record of Gerry with his ukulele and a single Pacemaker, on a comb and tissue paper, piping Alan A'Court and Alf Arrowsmith onto the field.' Elvis CostelloGeorge Sephton's relationship with Liverpool Football Club began in 1971 when he wrote to the club secretary applying to be the stadium announcer. His first match also marked the debut of Kevin Keegan. For the past fifty years, Sephton has been at Anfield for all but a handful of home fixtures, as well as travelling with the team to major finals. From the highs of winning numerous league titles and European Cups, to the lows of Heysel and Hillsborough, Sephton has been with Liverpool through it all. From encounters with great managers and legendary players - from Bill Shankly to Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes to Jurgen Klopp, he tells his unique and entertaining story of the greatest club in the world.Table of Contentsi: Foreword ii: 'Sleeve Notes' iii: Prologue 1: Part One: The Fifties and Sixties 2: Part Two: The Seventies 3: Part Three: The Eighties 4: Part Four: The Nineties 5: Part Five: The 2000s 6: Part Six: The 2010s 7: Epilogue 8: Acknowledgements 9: Plate Section Photography Credits 10: Index

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of the renaissance of cash-strapped Worcester City, with a pitch-side view of a remarkable season as City claw their way back from bankruptcy to promotion and the cusp of Wembley. It's also the story of Stourbridge and Kidderminster Harriers, two clubs bonded with the Blues for 120 years.

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Book SynopsisGribble's unique mystery, featuring the actual Arsenal squad of 1939, sends Inspector Anthony Slade into the world of professional football to investigate a case of deadly foul play on and off the pitch.

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Book SynopsisGet ready for the Euros by journeying through the iconic and searingly honest story of one of the country''s best ever footballers''A truly world class career . . . This is a must read'' 5***** READER REVIEW''An astonishing tale of commitment, loyalty and determination'' 5***** READER REVIEW''A heart on sleeve account of success and failure'' 5***** READER REVIEW________Steven Gerrard is a phenomenon. He has played over 700 games for his beloved Liverpool and is the third most capped player in English football. He is one of the greatest sportsman of his generation.In My Story Gerrard speaks fully and frankly about his extraordinary playing career, opening up about the key matches and moments to give us the view from on the pitch. His exhilarating accounts of winning and losing while staying loyal to one club through good and bad tell us about his commitment both to the game and to Liverpool. It''s a story

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Book Synopsis'Terrific ... well-researched, well written' David Winner, author of Brilliant Orange 'Deeply researched...nicely written, and manages to get inside Cruyff's very bizarre head' Simon Kuper Argumentative, brilliant, arrogant, visionary. Johan Cruyff was one of the greatest footballers of all time, a worldwide phenomenon and arguably the most famous Dutchman of the twentieth century. Both on the pitch and from the sidelines as a coach, with his brand of Total Football he changed how the game was played and left a lasting legacy. Although Cruyff led a large part of his illustrious career and life in the spotlight, in many ways Cruyff the man and sportsman is still a complete mystery. Based on years of extensive research, this biography the first to cover all aspects of Cruyff’s life and work, from his key influence in the great Ajax and Netherlands sides of the 1970s to his role inTrade Review'Terrific' -- David Winner, author of Brilliant Orange'Deeply researched...nicely written, and manages to get inside Cruyff's very bizarre head' -- Simon Kuper

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Book SynopsisLiverpool FC is rarely out of the news and always is the subject of interest from inside and outside of the world of football. From Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness through Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp to Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, John Henry and coach Jurgen Klopp, few clubs can boast as many people with so much to say for themselves, especially in the case of Bill Shankly, football's most quoted man. Liverpool have a proud tradition and a very loyal support, and this book aims to capture the flavour of both. In 2019 the Reds came to within a point of their long-awaited 19th title, but ultimately avoided disappointment by finishing their season winning the UEAF Champions League. With the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup also won by the end of 2019, Klopp now knows what it takes to win and few will be surprised if Liverpool are front and centre when it comes to handing out trophies in 2020. The Little Book of Liverpool, brim-full with more than 170 quotes, celebrates the club's continued success at home and abroad. Table of ContentsThe Liverpool Way • Shankly's Sayings • Red Stars • The Kop on Top • Inside the Boot Room • Comings and Goings • Secrets of Success • Magic Moments • You'll Never Walk Alone.

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Book SynopsisThe story of Leeds United from 1980 to 2000 when the club crashed and burned and then rose from the ashes to become the last First Division champions, before approaching the Millennium full of expectations for their dynamic young team.Trade Review'This is an absorbing tale of Leeds’ helter-skelter existence over a couple of eventful decades.' -- Sports Journalists Association, October 2023

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Book SynopsisThe complete, official history of the England football team as you've never seen it before! England: The Official History is a fascinating account of the world's oldest and most iconic national football team.• Includes England's fantastic performance at EURO 2020. • A great gift for any England fan. • Features more than 250 exceptional photographs of England icons past and present including Alf Ramsey, Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Hope Powell, David Beckham, Steph Houghton and Harry Kane. • The complete story of the England men's and women's teams – from 1872 right up to the present day. • Written by award-winning journalist and author Daniel Storey in association with the FA and filled with incredible stories spanning 150 years of England football.The book charts the highs (and lows) of the England national teams and the men and women who've worn the Three Lions with pride. Each chapter delves into a specific era, covering key figures, famous and infamous matches, and the evolution of football over the course of more than a century and a half.This is the definitive visual history of English Football.Table of ContentsForeword • The dawn of a team (1870s-1890s) • Olympic success (1900s-1910s) • Intra-war years (1920s-1930s) • The full-time era (1940s) • Chastening defeats (1950s) • The march to greatness (1960s) • World Cup 1966 • The fallow years (1970s) • The re-rise of the women's game (1970s) • So near and yet so far (1982-1990) • The impossible job (1990-1994) • Reagan's time (1980s) • Golden generations (1996-2006) • Unfulfilled potential (2006-2016) • Hope springs eternal (1998-2013) • A brighter future (2016-2020) • Appendix: Lions & Lionesses. Plus features on key England figures including Alf Ramsey, Bobby Moore, Hope Powell, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and more.

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Book SynopsisA bestseller in both the UK and the USA on its first publication, this book was the first fully authorised life of world's greatest living footballer. With exclusive access to Pelé, award-winning sports writer Harry Harris charts his meteoric rise from humble beginnings in Brazil to his first international at the age of sixteen. Superb athleticism, speed of thought and execution, and astonishing ball control helped him become the only player to have appeared in three World Cup-winning sides, and to have scored more than 1,200 goals in his senior career, a feat that is now unlikely ever to be equalled, let alone surpassed.Pelé remains the best footballer of all time, despite the extraordinary exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and legends such as Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff. Now revised and updated to bring the story completely up to date, this is a tribute to a world-class sporting hero, a great sportsman and, to this day, an inspiration to millions.

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