Description
Book SynopsisThis is a book celebrating all that is great with the game of football, as seen through the eyes of clubs and fans rarely bothered by satellite television cameras and the riches of the elite game, a vibrant world of humour, warmth and friendship worth far more than all the wealth of the Premier League.
Why do people head out on windswept Saturday afternoons and wet Wednesday evenings watch lower and non-league teams play when they could watch Premier League football from the comfort of their living rooms?
Does an international match between two countries that technically don’t exist have any meaning?
Why do some people go to so much trouble volunteering to support clubs which run on a shoestring budget and are lucky to get even a glimpse of the limelight?
Over the course of a season, Mat Guy set out to explore the less glamorous side of the beautiful game, travelling the backwaters of football across the length and breadth of the country – and beyond. He watched Bangor as they were cheerfully thrashed by Reykjavik’s UMF Stjarnan, was absolutely won over by the women’s game, and found a new team to love in Accrington Stanley.
From Glasgow to Northern Cyprus, Bhutan to the Faroe Islands, Mat discovered the same hope, sense of community, and love of the game that first led him to a life in the stands at Salisbury FC’s Victoria Park, where his own passion for football was formed.
Trade ReviewThe amazing story is a must read for any walk of life not just football fans. You could say we have adopted each other in a short space of time, its a great portrait of Accrington Stanley Football club and hopefully when this publication hits the world our club can gain more support like Mat. - Nick Westwell, Chairman, Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Club
Table of ContentsContents
Acknowledgements 7
Introduction 9
1 Bangor City v UMF Stjarnan 13
2 Swindon Town v Southampton 20
3 HB Tórshavn v Skála 28
4 Wales Women v England Women 47
5 Cowes Sports v Yate Town 54
6 Accrington Stanley v Tranmere Rovers 61
7 Northampton Town v Accrington Stanley 71
8 Aldershot Town v Bristol Rovers 77
9 Manchester City Ladies v Arsenal Ladies 83
10 Partick Thistle v St Johnstone 89
11 Tibet v North Cyprus 96
12 Wimbledon v Dagenham & Redbridge 121
13 England Women v Germany Women 128
14 Portsmouth v Accrington Stanley 134
15 Yeovil Town v Accrington Stanley 141
16 Lymington Town v Brockenhurst 146
17 Downton v Amesbury Town 152
18 Corinthian v Beckenham Town 158
19 Eastleigh v Torquay United 163
20 Plymouth Argyle v Bury 169
21 Sri Lanka v Bhutan 176
22 Accrington Stanley v York City 187
23 Lydd Town v Lewisham Borough 195
24 Accrington Stanley v Carlisle United 201
25 Dagenham & Redbridge v Accrington Stanley 208
26 The End of the Road 214
