Search results for ""Author Aidan Williams""

The Nearly Men tells the fascinating stories of some of the most revered international football teams of all time. Through the history of the World Cup there are many sides who thrilled us all with their elegance and style, or who revolutionised the game, only to fail when it mattered most. They are the teams that could, and in some cases perhaps should, have won the World Cup, yet remain memorable for what they did achieve as well as what they didn't. They all left a lasting legacy, be that of unfulfilled potential, crushed dreams or the artistry they produced that could have seen them prevail. Their exploits and accomplishments are frequently hailed more than those of the winners. The Nearly Men celebrates these teams: what made them great, what saw them fail, the legacy they left and why onlookers remember them so fondly. It is a tale of frustration and disappointment, but also of footballing beauty and lasting legacy, in homage to the kind of greatness that isn't defined by victory.

Read more less

Euro 1984 tells the fascinating story of perhaps the greatest of all European Championships: one that was barely covered on UK television, after none of the home nations qualified. It was a footballing summer that thrilled so many with wonderful displays of attacking football and iconic matches, featuring majestic players.The story begins with a wealth of captivating stories which emerged through the qualifying stage: dramatic tales of success, failure and controversy which all combine to add to the allure of this greatest of tournaments.The finals played out in France, at a time when the European Championship was still in its infancy as an eight-team tournament. It proved a watershed for the competition, as great games in wonderful stadiums captured the imagination across the continent; at a time when idealism still prevailed over pragmatism, when adventurous football was rewarded.Euro 1984 r

Read more less