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This section is devoted to book reviews. Are you a publisher or author with a football book you wish to promote, get in touch...
Those
Feet: An Sensual History of English Football David
Winner
David Winner, a freelance journalist, has written eight books including, Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football. In Those Feet, he attempts to place the way that the English play football in the context of the society that produced it. It takes a highly original approach to the birth and development of the sport showing how Victorian sexual anxiety is responsible for England’s many World Cup failures. He reveals the connection between Roy Keane and a soldier who died in the Charge of the Light Brigade. It is full of surprising twists and turns and the author manages to produce a great deal of though-provoking material and can often be very funny.
Fathers,
Sons and Football Colin Shindler
This is the story of the Summerbee family which has produced three successive generations have played professional football - George, the unsuccessful journeyman at Preston North End; Mike, who was one of the stars of the glorious Manchester City of the 1960s and 1970s; and, more recently Nicky, who has played at the top level for City and Sunderland. In this updated edition, the author, a leading TV writer and producer, has given us a moving and funny account of the ups and downs of live in professional footballer and how it impacts on the lives of their families. Both frank and amusing, it throws a bit of light on the dysfunctional nature of many involved in the competitive world of professional football.
The Lost Trophy: The Complete History of the First F.A. Cup Tony Onslow
The Lost Trophy by Tony Onslow, a must for anyone interested in the early development of the F.A.Cup. This book covers the formative years of the world's oldest football competition, from the early domination of the amateur public school teams to the emergence of professional clubs from the midlands and the north. It is impossible not to be impressed by the depth of research as the author takes the reader through every round of the cup between 1871 and 1895. We learn, for example, that The Wanderers, the most successful team in the early years of the competition, began their existence as Forest FC in 1865. The team met to play their football near the Eagle Tavern at Snaresbrook, Essex, which was sited 'on the main stagecoach route between the centre of London and the University town of Cambridge. The location was well known to many of the former public schoolboys from London, who would stop there on their way "Up to Cambridge". It became a focal point for several of the early clubs who would meet up there, play football matches and later entertain their visitors at the tavern'. Making good use of contemporary newspaper accounts and illustrations, the author finishes with an account of the theft of the old trophy, The Little Tin Idol as it was known at the time, from the window of the football outfitters William Shillcock in Newton Row, Birmingham, in 1895. Despite intensive investigations an a £10 reward it was never recovered. Various suspects were identified, although the truth will probably never been known. It seems likely, however, that the cup was melted it down to make counterfeit half-crowns! A riveting read, it is a must for anyone who takes their football history seriously. The Lost Trophy was published by the author and can be purchased by contacting www.soccerhistory.org.uk at ian.maxwell7@btinternet.com
The Forgotten Rivals: A History of Bottle Football Club, 1880-1893 Tony Onslow
In the early days of football, local derby games in Liverpool were not Everton v Liverpool, but Everton v Bootle. Bootle, based at the Hawthorne Road ground in Liverpool, were founded by the Reverend Alfred Keely, who had developed a passion for the new game at Cambridge University. The first derby game against Everton took place in 1880 with Bootle running out convincing winners. Tony Onslow has reconstructed this fascinating period of football history through extensive research into the archives and long forgotten newspaper accounts. It brings to life an earlier, more innocent era of football. On 5 March 1881, for example, Bootle, arrived for a game at Stanley Park against Everton with only eight men. Three of the spectators kindly agreed to play for the visitors. Everton won by a single goal. Bootle would struggle financially to survive and finally succumbed to the inevitable in 1893 when its gates were closed for the last time - they were replaced in the League by Liverpool. Anyone interested in the early days of the Football League will enjoy this well written and entertaining book. And just think how different the history of football would have been had Bootle found a rich sponsor in 1893! The Forgotten Rivals can be purchased by contacting www.soccerhistory.org.uk at ian.maxwell7@btinternet.com
F A Cup Giant Killers Paul Harrison
From the victories of Boston Town and Spennymoor United in the 1920s, through to the Twenty-First Century exploits of Tamworth and Burscough, Paul Harrison's book is a must for any football fan interested in FA Cup giant killers. Lavishly illustrated, it takes an affectionate look at the amateur players who secured famous victories against Football League Clubs. Some, like Tottenham, who were the first non-league side to win the FA Cup, went on to be rich and successful clubs. The exploits of others, like Spennymoor United and Chilton Colliery, are now largely forgotten. Paul Harrison's book deservedly recalls their achievements, making good use of contemporary photographs, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia. One of my favourite characters is Charles Burgess Fry, who played in eight aches series for the England cricket team and full-back for non-league Southampton at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. A world record long-jumper at the time of the first Olympics in 1896, when asked why he wasn't among the finalists in Athens replied 'I didn't go as I was unaware they were taking places'. Highly recommended, this book is available from Paul direct at Paulharrison38@aol.com
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