Football Books
Um the Mike owen one is realy good all about making his way through
academy with stevie g and co
The Damned United is superb - see comments in the Off Topic thread
(page 6). Also recommend Tony Cascarino's autobiography which
is exceptionally honest and open account of his life and
career. Not your usual footballer story. Also enjoyed
recently How Green Was Mole Valley - A History of Leatherhead
FC. Not available at Whitcoulls for some strange
reason. 
Jose's Dog2007-12-30 15:53:56
Jose's Dog2007-12-30 15:53:56
My top ten football books are as follows; (not in any order)
The Beautiful Team by Garry Jenkins, in which the author tracks
down and talks to the surviving members (Everaldo died about six
months after the win) of the Brazil 1970 side, all except
Jairzinho, who wouldn't talk unless he was paid, the w**ker.
Arrivederci Swansea by Mario Risoli, a biography of Georgio
Chinaglia.
Passovotchka by David Downing, the story of Moscow Dynamo's tour of
Britain in 1945.
The Beautiful Game? by David Conn, in which the author lays into
the soulessness of the modern game and at the same time searches
for where its heart might have gone.
Brilliant Orange by David Winner, a series of chapters about-
rather than the story of - Dutch football
The Unforgiven by Rob Bagchi and Paul Rogerson, the story of
how Don Revie turned around Leeds United.
Garrincha by Ruy Castro, a warts and all biography of
football's most tragic character. Very moving.
The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw by Paul McGuigan and
Paolo Hewitt. The story of Robin Friday, told by people who knew
him. Apparently it is going to be a movie.
Once In A Lifetime by Gavin Newsham, about the rise and fall
of New York Cosmos.
The Game Of Their Lives by Geoffrey Douglas, about the USA's
1-0 win vs England in 1950. This has been made into a movie, but
the book is far better.
Others? Tony Cascarino's autobiograhy is one of very few worth
reading (Peter Shilton's is another), and I still love Kevin Fallon
and John Adshead's book about Spain 1982. I'm currently reading a
book called Behind The Curtain by Jonathan Wilson, subtitled
Travels In Eastern European Football which has started very
promisingly. Also, Len Shakleton's famous autobiog is another worth
getting hold of, it was recently reprinted.
I can highly recommend Stephen Foster's, 'She stood there laughing,
a man, his son and their football club'.
I think any Phoenix supporter can relate to the following
extract from it.
"......Clarkey simply has to miss, this being
his thrid spot-kick of the game, given the retake. He slots it
home, bottom corner, 3-2. We spend the last quarter of an hour
trying to assist the ball into the net by shouting. Five minutes
added time are announced. In the fourth of these Commons
runs at them again, scarifying the Preston defence into
condeding a corner which Commons takes himself. It flies into
the box and Cookie, in a diving-and-heading comic-strip-hero
last-minute-of-extra-time-equalizer-type-scenario, scores and
rescues a point.3-3! The time has come to fly into the arms of
your fellow man, woman or child in a deranged manner. We
know this activity as 'a Mental'. Superb. By far the greatest team
the world has ever seen. The ref will blow full-time
immediately after the restart. It's a formality. But he doesn't.
Still, from their kick-off, we win the ball back. Now we lose it,
in midfield. A Preston playeer is running through our defence.
We've tried to play offside, and failed. He has run through our
defence. This cannot happen. The whistle must sound, the ref
must blow. The Preston player rounds Cutler. Now, blow it NOW.
The Preston player slots the ball behind Cutler. 4-3. The ref
blows full-time.
his thrid spot-kick of the game, given the retake. He slots it
home, bottom corner, 3-2. We spend the last quarter of an hour
trying to assist the ball into the net by shouting. Five minutes
added time are announced. In the fourth of these Commons
runs at them again, scarifying the Preston defence into
condeding a corner which Commons takes himself. It flies into
the box and Cookie, in a diving-and-heading comic-strip-hero
last-minute-of-extra-time-equalizer-type-scenario, scores and
rescues a point.3-3! The time has come to fly into the arms of
your fellow man, woman or child in a deranged manner. We
know this activity as 'a Mental'. Superb. By far the greatest team
the world has ever seen. The ref will blow full-time
immediately after the restart. It's a formality. But he doesn't.
Still, from their kick-off, we win the ball back. Now we lose it,
in midfield. A Preston playeer is running through our defence.
We've tried to play offside, and failed. He has run through our
defence. This cannot happen. The whistle must sound, the ref
must blow. The Preston player rounds Cutler. Now, blow it NOW.
The Preston player slots the ball behind Cutler. 4-3. The ref
blows full-time.
In the coming weeks I might be able to consider that this
game
was a classic, a thriller, one of the best I've ever been to,
and that, rather impressively, and against expectation, the
match of the day actually did turn out to be the one I made the
500-mile round-trip to see. But several hours and several pints
of anaesthetic later, the best I am able to say is that, when you
equalize in the last-minute-but-one, for f**k's sake, your
responsibility as a professional football player, for f**k's sake,
for which you are paid a nice fat wad, is to hoof the f**king ball
out of the ground until the ref blows full-time. Your
responsibility as a professional football player, for which you are
paid a nice fat wad, for f**k's sake, is not to f**king fanny about
in midfield allowing the opposition to nick the ball and score a
ninety-fifth f**king-minute winner you f**king cnuts.
For f**k' f**king sake."
was a classic, a thriller, one of the best I've ever been to,
and that, rather impressively, and against expectation, the
match of the day actually did turn out to be the one I made the
500-mile round-trip to see. But several hours and several pints
of anaesthetic later, the best I am able to say is that, when you
equalize in the last-minute-but-one, for f**k's sake, your
responsibility as a professional football player, for f**k's sake,
for which you are paid a nice fat wad, is to hoof the f**king ball
out of the ground until the ref blows full-time. Your
responsibility as a professional football player, for which you are
paid a nice fat wad, for f**k's sake, is not to f**king fanny about
in midfield allowing the opposition to nick the ball and score a
ninety-fifth f**king-minute winner you f**king cnuts.
For f**k' f**king sake."
Giles Smith- "We need to talk about Kevin ...Keegan"
absolutely hilarious 
laugh out loud on the bus everyday, it's in little 'articles' so perfect bus book and just genius 
There are a few recommendations on here I'll have to check out.
I would agree with these already mentioned:
"A Season With Verona" - Tim Parks
"The World Cup Baby" - Euan McCabe
"My Favourite Year" - Edited by Nick Hornsby
"New Zealand's World Cup" - Adshead & Fallon
The first 3 typify what being a football fan is all about. The 4th is just a great memory.
To that I would add any of the 7 volumes of
"Survival Of The Fattest" Season reviews from a fans perspective of the 92 English Football League clubs from seasons 1994-95 to 2000-01. Full of passion, humour, frustration, elation and despair.
"The Perfect 10" - Richard Williams. Chapters on the great playmakers from Puskas and Pele through to Maradona and Zidane.
this thread has been going since 2007
Read peles and Beckenbauers biographies, their good
Also read goal and goal 2 there good too
this thread has been going since 2007
were you even born then Wynners?
Football in sun and shadow-Eduardo Galeano (sometimes called soccer in sun and shadow)
thats my fave football book- vignettes about Sth American football culture
and what about Glanville's World Cup- he updates it after every WC-its like the bible dudes..........
Wgtn Cental Library has a fantastic Football section
Salmon072008-11-03 20:14:44
this thread has been going since 2007
Lol, though i'm not surprised. El Diego (Maradona) is fantastic, as is Football Against the Enemy. Fever Pitch should be mentioned again and I also really lile 1001 Football moments (it's in Champs, take a look)
Read peles and Beckenbauers biographies, their good
Also read goal and goal 2 there good too
Much as it sickens me.
Johnny Warren's Poofters, Wogs and Sheilas really does offer an excellent insight on where the A-League has come from. If you can get past the Jingoistic moments, it is actually quite a good read.
Johnny Warren's Poofters, Wogs and Sheilas really does offer an excellent insight on where the A-League has come from. If you can get past the Jingoistic moments, it is actually quite a good read.
Picked up a copy of these at Arty Bees on the weekend, plan on reading it up in Tauranga (I'm not coming back from Waitakere straight away...)
Of course, being a convict means I'll probably enjoy it a bit more
Only The Goalkeeper To Beat by Francis Hodgson. Basically a history of the goalkeeper in football and a goalkeeper's perspective on the Beautiful Game.
I've mentioned this before on another thread, but Paul Canoville's book Black and Blue is a great read. I usually only read Chelsea books (avoid Lampards), but this would appeal to most people and has recently been nominated for the top sports book prize in the UK.
Basically details his experience as the first black player at Chelsea, and the abuse he had from his own supporters (which is covered in 2 paragraphs in the official Chelsea biography), drug use and later illness.
The Glory Game. Hunter Davis.
Follows Spurs from pre-season training to final game of 1972 season incl UEFA Cup win, gets into all areas of club from star players to youth and manager to hooligan fans. Great insight into football of that era, highest signing Martin Peters 200,000 pounds and 15 yr olds earning 10 pound a week!
There are a few recommendations on here I'll have to check out.
I would agree with these already mentioned:
"A Season With Verona" - Tim Parks
"The World Cup Baby" - Euan McCabe
"My Favourite Year" - Edited by Nick Hornsby
"New Zealand's World Cup" - Adshead & Fallon
The first 3 typify what being a football fan is all about. The 4th is just a great memory.
My Favourite Year and NZ's World Cup Story are two of my all time favourite books. I'm not much of a reader but i loved reading those books from cover to cover.
What are your favourite stories in My Favourite Year? Mine would have to be Ireland's 1990 WC campaign and Raith Rovers promotion season.
The Glory Game. Hunter Davis.
Follows Spurs from pre-season training to final game of 1972 season incl UEFA Cup win, gets into all areas of club from star players to youth and manager to hooligan fans. Great insight into football of that era, highest signing Martin Peters 200,000 pounds and 15 yr olds earning 10 pound a week!
he's the guy who in the 70's wrote, "They used to play on grass" - it was a novel set in the future and Hull City were in the top division. (people thought it was a fantasy novel 
)
)but the future has arrived and so have the Tigers!!
Recently read "We all live in a Perry Groves world" Brilliant hilarious read that even non Arsenal supporters would probably enjoy.
Also read "Vieira" and Robert Pires autobiography "Footballeur"
The Damned United is superb - see comments in the Off Topic thread (page 6). Also recommend Tony Cascarino's autobiography which is exceptionally honest and open account of his life and career. Not your usual footballer story. Also enjoyed recently How Green Was Mole Valley - A History of Leatherhead FC. Not available at Whitcoulls for some strange reason.
+1 for the Damned Utd, ok it's fiction but it is ace! You can get it at Borders. Read it pretty much in one sitting when I couldn't sleep one night.
There are a few recommendations on here I'll have to check out.
I would agree with these already mentioned:
"A Season With Verona" - Tim Parks
"The World Cup Baby" - Euan McCabe
"My Favourite Year" - Edited by Nick Hornsby
"New Zealand's World Cup" - Adshead & Fallon
The first 3 typify what being a football fan is all about. The 4th is just a great memory.
My Favourite Year and NZ's World Cup Story are two of my all time favourite books. I'm not much of a reader but i loved reading those books from cover to cover.
What are your favourite stories in My Favourite Year? Mine would have to be Ireland's 1990 WC campaign and Raith Rovers promotion season.
Watford finally "getting out" of the old Third Division.
My new copy of The Inside Story off trademe arrived today, time to read it again...
[QUOTE=bringbackwyners]this thread has been going since 2007
Fever Pitch should be mentioned again and I also really lile 1001 Football moments (it's in Champs, take a look)
I bought that at whitcoulls for $10 I was in there buying other stuff and saw it was marked down from $60 to $20 thought thats a good buy took it to the counter and it was only $10...
should of picked the whole pile up and sold them in Champs
f**k I spent $70 on my copy
No more Buddha, only Football (Chris England)- English fan at the 2002 WC in South Korea & Japan
Chris England spent five weeks covering the 2002 World Cup, when football became Japan's newest religion, constantly on the lookout for the odd, the offbeat and the downright strange. He ended up not only seeing plenty of football by also getting buried up to the neck in hot black volcanic sand, serenading Lawrie McMenemy with a bunch of drunk British MPs, performing stand-up comedy to an audience who spoke no English and visiting a railway station under the sea.
Football Against the Enemy - Simon Kuper
Throughout the world, football is a potent force in the lives of billions of people. Focusing national, political and cultural identities, football is the medium through which the world's hopes and fears, passions and hatreds are expressed. Simon Kuper travelled to 22 countries from South Africa to Italy, from Russia to the USA, to examine the way football has shaped them. At the same time he tried to find out what lies behind each nation's distinctive style of play, from the carefree self-expression of the Brazilians to the anxious calculation of the Italians. During his journeys he met an extraordinary range of players, politicians and - of course - the fans themselves, all of whom revealed in their different ways the unique place football has in the life of the planet.
How football explains the world - Franklin Foer
From Publishers Weekly
Foer, a New Republic editor, scores a game-winning goal with this analysis of the interchange between soccer and the new global economy. The subtitle is a bit misleading, though: he doesn't really use soccer to develop a theory; instead, he focuses on how examining soccer in different countries allows us to understand how international forces affect politics and life around the globe. The book is full of colorful reporting, strong characters and insightful analysis: In one of the most compelling chapters, Foer shows how a soccer thug in Serbia helped to organize troops who committed atrocities in the Balkan War�by the end of the war, the thug's men, with the acquiescence of Serbian leaders, had killed at least 2,000 Croats and Bosnians. Then he bought his own soccer club and, before he was gunned down in 2000, intimidated other teams into losing. Most of the stories aren't as gruesome, but they're equally fascinating. The crude hatred, racism and anti-Semitism on display in many soccer stadiums is simply amazing, and Foer offers context for them, including how current economic conditions are affecting these manifestations. In Scotland, the management of some teams have kept religious hatreds alive in order to sell tickets and team merchandise. But Foer, a diehard soccer enthusiast, is no anti-globalist. In Iran, for example, he depicts how soccer works as a modernizing force: thousands of women forced police to allow them into a men's-only stadium to celebrate the national team's triumph in an international match. One doesn't have to be a soccer fan to truly appreciate this absorbing book.
The Referee's survival guide - Jeffrey Caminsky
The Referee's Survival Guide, a new book on soccer officiating by veteran soccer referee Jeff Caminsky, has the answers to many of a referee's typical problems on the pitch. Clearly written and easy to understand, The Referee's Survival Guide explains many of the "what's," "how's," "who's," and "why's" of life on the soccer field...as well as many of the things for a soccer official to avoid. Whether you're interested in training or getting better as an official, learning where to be on the field, how to handle crowds and players, or applying the rules in a common-sense manner, The Referee's Survival Guide offers something for every soccer referee.
ginger_eejit2008-11-27 09:48:17
Chris England spent five weeks covering the 2002 World Cup, when football became Japan's newest religion, constantly on the lookout for the odd, the offbeat and the downright strange. He ended up not only seeing plenty of football by also getting buried up to the neck in hot black volcanic sand, serenading Lawrie McMenemy with a bunch of drunk British MPs, performing stand-up comedy to an audience who spoke no English and visiting a railway station under the sea.
Football Against the Enemy - Simon Kuper
Throughout the world, football is a potent force in the lives of billions of people. Focusing national, political and cultural identities, football is the medium through which the world's hopes and fears, passions and hatreds are expressed. Simon Kuper travelled to 22 countries from South Africa to Italy, from Russia to the USA, to examine the way football has shaped them. At the same time he tried to find out what lies behind each nation's distinctive style of play, from the carefree self-expression of the Brazilians to the anxious calculation of the Italians. During his journeys he met an extraordinary range of players, politicians and - of course - the fans themselves, all of whom revealed in their different ways the unique place football has in the life of the planet.
How football explains the world - Franklin Foer
From Publishers Weekly
Foer, a New Republic editor, scores a game-winning goal with this analysis of the interchange between soccer and the new global economy. The subtitle is a bit misleading, though: he doesn't really use soccer to develop a theory; instead, he focuses on how examining soccer in different countries allows us to understand how international forces affect politics and life around the globe. The book is full of colorful reporting, strong characters and insightful analysis: In one of the most compelling chapters, Foer shows how a soccer thug in Serbia helped to organize troops who committed atrocities in the Balkan War�by the end of the war, the thug's men, with the acquiescence of Serbian leaders, had killed at least 2,000 Croats and Bosnians. Then he bought his own soccer club and, before he was gunned down in 2000, intimidated other teams into losing. Most of the stories aren't as gruesome, but they're equally fascinating. The crude hatred, racism and anti-Semitism on display in many soccer stadiums is simply amazing, and Foer offers context for them, including how current economic conditions are affecting these manifestations. In Scotland, the management of some teams have kept religious hatreds alive in order to sell tickets and team merchandise. But Foer, a diehard soccer enthusiast, is no anti-globalist. In Iran, for example, he depicts how soccer works as a modernizing force: thousands of women forced police to allow them into a men's-only stadium to celebrate the national team's triumph in an international match. One doesn't have to be a soccer fan to truly appreciate this absorbing book.
The Referee's survival guide - Jeffrey Caminsky
The Referee's Survival Guide, a new book on soccer officiating by veteran soccer referee Jeff Caminsky, has the answers to many of a referee's typical problems on the pitch. Clearly written and easy to understand, The Referee's Survival Guide explains many of the "what's," "how's," "who's," and "why's" of life on the soccer field...as well as many of the things for a soccer official to avoid. Whether you're interested in training or getting better as an official, learning where to be on the field, how to handle crowds and players, or applying the rules in a common-sense manner, The Referee's Survival Guide offers something for every soccer referee.
ginger_eejit2008-11-27 09:48:17
This morning i bought a copy of New Zealand's world cup the inside story for a dollar from the op shop. As i already have a copy anyone interested in it?
I live in Jafaland so maybe pay postage or pick up if you can.
I live in Jafaland so maybe pay postage or pick up if you can.
There's this thread for recommendations as well
http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2798
I suggest A Season With Verona by Tim Parks. You can hear me yarn about it on the aforementioned thread
http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2798
I suggest A Season With Verona by Tim Parks. You can hear me yarn about it on the aforementioned thread
^ Best football book hands down
Anyone read The Bromley Boys? New release by local pom about his favourite team back in England when growing up, reviewed in Dompost last weekend.
Hi,
a bit late addition to the topic, but I have just come across some football books on sella (which is sort of like Trade me), it's got Fever Pitch, News of the World Football Annuals, Sky Sport Football Annuals, Playfair, Beckham books etc etc. Good Prices too.
Might pick up a bargain or two!
I have bought a few, they are new and second hand.
Thanks for that post, some neat suggestions there, I've read/own plenty of the ones you mention, loved them all.
I hope I didn't bore you too much! yellownow2009-12-02 18:26:13
I will merely draw your attention to my avatar. That one's lined up for my Xmas stocking this year.
Seeing Red: The Chic Charnley Story
Chic Charnley is one of the most controversial, colorful characters in Scottish football history. Blessed with awesome talent, incredible ability and spectacular skills, he's the player who could - and should - have been one of the biggest names in sport. But, by his own admission, he blew it. Here he tells all in the most revealing, unputdownable book of the game. The maverick midfielder tells it like it is, including the real reason he did not sign for his boyhood idols Celtic; the genuine regrets of a stormy career that kept him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons; his bad boy image, crazy antics and why he was sent off a record amount of times; how he ruined Henrik Larsson's Celtic debut; the day he was attacked by thugs with a sword - during training! - and much more. Here, for the first time, Chic Charnley talks about the roller coaster career that saw him play for Partick Thistle, Hibs, St. Mirren, Dundee, Ayr, Clydebank, Hamilton and a few others in between. It's a journey through football with tales as outrageous as the character himself!
I've recently read "Kenny Sansom - To cap it all". Typical Arsenal story from the 80's of binge drinking and gambling. This guy had it all and lost it all due to alcohol. He also had an interesting insight into the Maradona Hand of God goal. Worth a read.
Hmm, haven't read the whole thread so maybe its been mentioned, but El Diego is fantastic. About Maradona, obviously. Pretty funny and a genuinely interesting read- unlike some autobiographies. Very opinionated, as I'm sure you could imagine...
That reminds me, I have to dig it out and find that quote he made about Shaq.
Terrific book.
The Crazy Gang: The Inside Story of Vinnie, Harry, Fash and Wimbledon FC
The Spirit of Wimbledon: Footballing Memories of the Dons 1922-2003
I'd love to read either of these. Such a fantastic footballing fairytale that is unlikely to ever be repeated.
The Spirit of Wimbledon: Footballing Memories of the Dons 1922-2003
I'd love to read either of these. Such a fantastic footballing fairytale that is unlikely to ever be repeated.
read "Deep in the Forest" - a collection of pieces on players from Ian Storey-Moore through to Roy Keane via Larry Loydd, Archie Gemmill, John Roberston etc
didn't finish "Fathers, Sons and Football" as we had to leave it at place we were staying - but will get it from library (if possible)it's the story of 3 Generations of footballing Summerbees - by Colin Schiller (sp?) -who wrote another Man city book a while back
also read a novel with a strong football focus - Heartland - Anthony Cartwright
all 3 were good reads
The Damned United is superb - see comments in the Off Topic thread (page 6). Also recommend Tony Cascarino's autobiography which is exceptionally honest and open account of his life and career. Not your usual footballer story. Also enjoyed recently How Green Was Mole Valley - A History of Leatherhead FC. Not available at Whitcoulls for some strange reason.
+1 for the Damned Utd, ok it's fiction but it is ace! You can get it at Borders. Read it pretty much in one sitting when I couldn't sleep one night.
+ 1 more for T D U
read it in december - excellent stuff
The Damned United? Brilliant.
Hi again,
Just bought THE FIRST 100 YEARS: THE OFFICIAL CENTENARY HISTORY OF THE AUCKLAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION 1887-1987 by Terry Maddaford. Forget it's the Auckland FA, it is a great book on the history of Football in New Zealand. As we are lacking books on the history of the game in this country, this one goes a long way to help fill the gap. The good news is that sella has got another copy for sell at $12.00 (trademe has got one for sell at $20.00!). Just go to http://www.sella.co.nz/general/books/non-fiction/sport/other/5qh2rw/ for the book or go to http://www.sella.co.nz/general/books/non-fiction/sport/other/waikato/waipa/cambridge/ to view the other football books.
Just read a review of a new autobiography out called Steve Hodge - The man with Maradona's shirt. Sounds like a good read. The title comes from the fact that Steve Hodge swapped shirts with Maradona after the famous Hand of God game in 1986. Its understandably priceless now. He also has one of Roberto Baggio's shirts from Italia 90.
Might have to mug that fellow, lucky bugger.
Whitcoulls in queensgate had a few world cup related books on sale. Including Ryan Nelsens for $25 big ones. Can't remember the other ones but if you're looking for some, head out there.