Books about Football

Review

With Christmas coming up you will find many books such as this flooding the marketplace - not that this is a bad thing. The WBA Miscellany is jam-packed with facts, figures, trivia and obscure tales that will appeal to all football enthusiasts, historians and fans of the Baggies in particular. All football fans should be knowledgeable about the history of their club and Clayton presents everything you need to know about the Albion - and much you didn't - in short bursts that educate without weighing the reader down with reams of dry and mundane facts. For example, the fact that the Baggies love playing Manchester City (they recorded their first home League win at The Hawthorns against City in 1900, their record home win was 9-2 over the Sky Blues in 1957 and the Manchester Blues heaviest home defeat was a 7-2 reversal versus the West Midlands finest) is offset with a light-hearted look at Baggies songs and chants. In addition, this tome is bursting with statistics such as WBA's complete League and Cup record and a brief analysis of all the different managers that have taken the hot-seat at The Hawthorns. All this is topped off with four separate chapters of Big Ronisms in tribute to one of their most successful managers who later mangled the English language as a television commentator on the beautiful game. Whatever your opinions on Ron Atkinson, it is hard not to giggle when reading his classic confusions. I particularly like his assertion that Chelsea are the team who could break the Arsenal and Manchester United monopoly. A few pictures would have been nice but for less than 10 pounds, you can't go wrong with this volume, unless you support Wolves…

Review

Product description: This is a true 'rags to riches' football story of a miner's son who fulfilled his dream to play for his country. This is a book with a message - rewards are earned from hard work and determination. The foreword written by Jimmy Greaves and contributions from Sir Bobby Charlton. This book follows the life of a young miner who was plucked from the mineshaft to find himself playing football in the Italian League a few years later. It is surely something that dreams were made of? However, this is exactly what happened to one such talented, working class lad from a small mining village in Shropshire in the late 1950's. With contributions from some legendary footballers such as Jimmy Greaves, Sir Bobby Charlton and Peter McParland, this biography illustrates the path taken by lad who rose from 'rags to riches' and which saw many twists and turns.

Review

Product Description: The story of Peter Knowles is unique. The gifted Wolves and England under-23 midfielder seemed to have the world at his talented feet. He was tipped to be the English George Best but sensationally quit football after becoming a Jehovah's Witness. He was just a few days short of his 24th birthday. Despite the pleas of his club, the players, friends, fans and family, Knowles would not change his mind and has always said it was the best thing he ever did. In "God's Footballer", Steve Gordos, recalls the shock waves created by Knowles' decision and traces the rise to fame of this son of a Yorkshire miner, who became an idol to fans, old and young, male and female. The book details all the matches that Knowles played for Wolves and includes tributes and recollections from his team-mates and from fans. There are also team line-ups for each match of his first-team career. In September 2009, it will be the 40th anniversary of Knowles' final match for Wolves. Those who remember him as a gifted player whose best years were lost to the game and those who have only heard the story second hand will be fascinated to read about the young man who turned his back on football fame and fortune.

Review

Product Description: "Plymouth Argyle: The Complete Record" is the official record of the Pilgrims since their formation in the 1880s. Written by Ryan Danes, this book is the definitive guide to Plymouth Argyle and will be on the wish list of every Pilgrims fan. The story of Plymouth Argyle FC, from its beginnings in the 19th century to the present day, is covered in fascinating detail. This is followed by profiles of the club's great players, the managers, matches to remember and a history of the grounds played on. In addition, the full season-by-season record of every first team League and cup game Plymouth Argyle have contested is documented, while summaries, records and statistics complete the picture. The result is a volume that is an essential addition to the bookshelves of any Pilgrims fan. Put simply, this is a book that provides everything any Argyle fan, and indeed any football fan would want to know about Plymouth Argyle Football Club.

Review

Product Description: "We are Leeds" focuses on Leeds United supporters scattered around the world and their own personal stories of their experiences following the West Yorkshire club. The stories are completely varied and range from comical, unusual, interesting, scary and fascinating. All the supporters feature in the book speak with equal passion about the club they all clearly adore. The book is a virtual tour around the world, tracking down Leeds followers along the way. It starts with supporters' tales in Leeds itself and then goes around the west side of England, into Wales, across to Southern and Northern Ireland, over to America and Canada, down to the Caribbean, further south to Brazil and Argentina, and continues around the globe to places such as South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan, Russia, Norway, Iceland and many more. It ends up going up the east side of England and back into Leeds again where more home grown supporters tell their stories. Throughout the book there are tales of the author's experiences following the club and there are three chapters where 'super-fan' Gary Edwards, who has missed one Leeds match, including all pre-season friendlies anywhere in the world since 1968, gives his views on various aspects of the club throughout its history. The book is a very passionate read that every Leeds fan will relate to.

Review

Product Description: A sporting Hall of Fame is a rather American institution but Rangers became one of the first football clubs (if not the first one) in Britain to set up its own Hall of Fame to honour the greatest figures from its past. The club's owner, Sir David Murray, established the Hall of Fame in 2000 as a way of commemorating the achievements of the most celebrated players in the history of Rangers. Since 1873, world-class footballers and great characters have been a hallmark of the club and have helped to make it the world's most successful club with a record 51 League championships. Despite the fact that great players come and go, the club goes on. The Hall of Fame currently has 71 members ranging from one of the club's founders, Moses McNeil (1873-82) to captain Barry Ferguson (1996 - the present). Their names are picked out in gold on a panel given pride of place above the famed marble staircase inside the entrance to Ibrox Stadium. The initial list that contained players from the earliest days of the club was compiled by a committee but in recent years the Rangers fans themselves get a chance to vote new players into the Hall of Fame, choosing from nominees submitted by the original committee of Sir David Murray, Gers' legends and current employees, John Greig and Sandy Jardine, present Assistant Manager and record Rangers goal-scorer, Ally McCoist and Club historian, David Mason. Three players, from decades spanning the 1950s until the present day, are elected every March and presented with their award at a star-studded ceremony where former players team up once more and reminisce about what it was like to play for the greatest club in the world. This book gives a pen portrait of every player elected to the Rangers' Hall of Fame but also gives an overview of the era in which they played as well as a description of the career of the Gers manager who signed them for the club. Hopefully, this book will remind fans of truly great Rangers who gave such pleasure to millions by their skill, courage, determination and loyalty to the club. As former legend Sammy Cox said, after flying in specially from Canada where he has lived for over 50 years, when he was presented with his award, 'Once a bluenose, always a bluenose'.

Review

Product Description: Manchester United: The Football Facts is the ultimate guide to the world's biggest and best-known football club. * Manchester United have played in the top flight since 1938 (with the exception of the 1974-75 season) and have never dropped below the second tier of English football. * United have been league champions 17 times and have notched up three European Cup victories, in 1968, 1999 (as part of an unprecedented domestic and European Treble) and 2008. * Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in English football, with 10 Premier League titles, 11 FA Cup wins, two League Cups and three historic English doubles.

Review

Product Description: Macclesfield Town won promotion to the Football League in 1997 on the second attempt and have enjoyed continuous membership at this level for the past 12 years. Their trials, tribulations and triumphs are narrated with emphasis on events on the field of play, although the more dramatic off the field happenings have been included. Competing as one of the smallest clubs has not always been easy, but there have been many inspired moments with a single season in the former Nationwide Second Division, victories over higher league opposition in Cup competitions, Play-off semi-finalists one season and as losing Northern Area Finalists in the Football League Trophy. Over the years there have been brilliant individual performances. Many younger players have developed their skills at the club with some moving on to play in a higher level whilst more experienced players have become legends in their own time. This book has been written by a fan for the fans as a record of Macclesfield Town's progress and to act as a memory jogger. For anyone who has not been able to witness the Silkmen's progress first hand, you will be left with the feeling that you could very well have been present. This book is written by a supporter who has drawn on his first-hand experience and records. Club league records have been included throughout the book together with appendices covering every match result, compiled in alphabetical order of opponents.

Review

Product Description: "Blackburn Rovers: The Complete Record" is the official record of Rovers since their formation in 1875. Written by well-known Blackburn Rovers author Mike Jackman, this book is the definitive guide to Blackburn Rovers and will be on the wish list of every Rovers fan. The story of Blackburn Rovers FC, from its beginnings in the 19th century to the present day, is covered in fascinating detail. It is followed by profiles of the club's great players, the managers, matches to remember and a history of the grounds. In addition, the full season-by-season record of every first-team League and Cup game Rovers have contested is documented. Summaries, records and statistics complete the picture. The result is a volume that is an essential addition to the bookshelves of any Rovers fan. Put simply, this is a book that provides everything any Blackburn Rovers fan, and indeed any football fan, would want to know about Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

Review

Product Description: "Queen's Park Rangers: The Complete Record" is the official record of Rangers since their formation in 1882. Written by Gordon Macey, this book is the definitive guide to Queen's Park Rangers and will be on the wish list of every fan. The story of Queen's Park Rangers FC, from its beginnings in the 19th century to the present day, is covered in fascinating detail. Followed by profiles of the club's great players, the managers, matches to remember and a history of the grounds played on. In addition, the full season-by-season record of every first-team League and Cup game Queen's Park Rangers have contested as a professional club is documented. Also includes full career details of all players that have appeared in the first team, together with a summary of the results against every club. Other interesting summaries, records and statistics complete the picture. The result is a volume that is an essential addition to the bookshelves of any QPR fan. Put simply, this is a book that provides everything any QPR fan and indeed any football fan would want to know about Queen's Park Rangers Football Club.