Search results for ""Author Tony Rickson""

Football stadiums are supposed to be packed with cheering fans. It was that way for more than 100 years until the coronavirus pandemic changed all our lives. Football managed to struggle on at some levels but without crowds - just cardboard cut-outs and fake noise instead. There was even a half measure for a while with a couple of thousand spectators allowed in. A banner at Old Trafford read, 'Football is nothing without fans', but what we discovered is that it isn't nothing, it's just better with fans there. Filled with fascinating stories, anecdotes, opinions and social media comments, Football is Better with Fans explores what it means to be a supporter. It's a light-hearted and highly dippable look at the lives of loyal fans, the fun and games they've enjoyed, their songs, banter, commitment, tattoos and traditions. The book doesn't shy away from tragedies, hooliganism or racism, but mainly it's a joyful celebration of football fandom and how we all survived when we couldn't go to games.

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Kicking On! How Footballers Win the Post-Retirement Game of Life takes an upbeat look at players who have retired from the game to forge successful, positive and interesting second careers.Retirement can be a traumatic time of life – particularly if you’re in your mid-30s and football’s all you’ve ever known. Many retired players struggle to cope with that pivotal moment when they have to leave the game for good. There’s a heartbreaking trail of tales of those whose post-footballing lives have been sad or even tragic. But this book looks at the other side of the coin – the players who have flourished after hanging up their boots. Whether it’s setting up charities, helping others cope with the challenges of life, creating multi-million-pound businesses, going into the media, politics, or back into football itself, there are more than 200 former players here with inspiring feel-good stories to share. Kicking On! is solid proof that a successful footballing career can be just the first chapter in a fulfilling life.

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Football celebrations are a vital part of the beautiful game. Gooaal! The Joy of Football Celebrations is all about what happens in the exhilarating moments after a goal. Where once a firm handshake was the norm - with a brief head nod if it had been a really good goal - today we see backflips, finger-pointing, ear-cuffing, badge-bashing, knee-sliding, camera-mugging, thumb-sucking - and sometimes something entirely original and funny. Often, the celebration is instinctive and all the better for it, but others are carefully planned and designed to make a point. Some are controversial or political, and an unfortunate few have resulted in injuries. Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney, Paul Gascoigne, Jurgen Klinsmann, Jamie Vardy, Raheem Sterling, Alex Morgan, Bebeto, finger-wagging Jimmy Bullard, golf club-waving Craig Bellamy, line-sniffing Robbie Fowler - all of them are among the 200-plus celebrations featured in this book. You'll discover exactly what went on - and why.

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