Most of my football books have tended to be about Saints but I have been surprised of late just how the standard of writing about the sport in recent years has become increasingly more sophisticated and thought-provoking. There was a time when footballer's autobiographies were a bit of a joke and this definately tainted my interest in acquiring anything other than the latest Hagiography publication. Several books stand out as being really good and I list my own favourites below but I wondered if anyone else had any good recommendations now that there is little football to look forward to after Saturday's FA Cup. 1. "Beastly Fury" ~ Richard Sanders. This delves back to look at the history of the game up until the outbreak of the First World War. I love anything to do with Victorian football and this is a lively and amusing account of the evolution of the sport which demonstrates how different the game was back then whilst still being very familiar in many respects. It deals with the origins of the rules, the manufacture of kits, women's football, the rise of professionalism and the development of football tactics as well as some notorious scandals concerning Preston North End and the player Billy Meredith. Prior to readng this, I wasn't aware of just how much more football was developed in Scotland at that time and how Scottish players were a "must have" acquisition for many Northern ClubsI couldn't put this book down. Shame he over-looked the creation of the Southern League but perhaps the author will address this in a second volume? Does anyone know if anyone else has written on the subject of the evolution of the Southern League? 2. "God is Brazilian" ~ Josh Lacey. The account of how ex-Saint Charlie Miller took football to Brazil albeit there are large elements of this book which also deal with how the British made this country more developed with the introduction of railways, commerce, etc. Fascinating but perhaps the title is a bit misleading as was the decision of putting Pele's photo on the cover- he only get mentiond in passing on a few occasions! Loved the section about Saints but the non-football chapters are also very interesting too if you enjoy history. 3. "When the whistle blows" ~ Andrew Riddoch. The tale of the battalion of footballers who served in the First World War. Interesting for the military aspect as well as putting football in a wider social context. This book is very poignant as well as dealing with the financial impact on the clubs (some of whom never recovered) and the political aspect of how football was perceived by the Establishment. Very sad in places but a compelling read about a little known aspect of both WW1 and football. 4. "Why Engand lose." ~ Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski. This book uses statistical analysis to explode some of the popular misconceptions about football ranging from whether England under-perform at World Cups, the effect of managers, which fans are the most passionate about football, whether spending money on a star striker is beneficial and even whether suicides increase during World Cups! The chapter about building stadia is quite interesting too. I would say that this book is the most thought-provoking one I have read on the current game but the results of some of their "regression analysis" has been criticised elsewhere on the Internet as being biased. The books is nowhere as dry as you would imagine and written in a slightly cynical tone which made me smile on more than a few occasions. Some of the topics make great subjects for discussion and the authors' sense of humour makes this an essential read for any football fan. I've also enjoyed David Winner's "Those feet" which examines the English love for the game and is more of a light read than the others even if I thoroughly enjoyed them and thought they were better and more original books. Winner's book covers some familiar ground whilst also looking at some of the more bizaare traits that single British football fans out. Curious to read about the origins of TOFFS as I find their website pretty addictive and already have snapped up several of their tops. Currently awaiting the receipt of "My father and other working class football heroes" which similarly enjoys a reputation as a good read by football fans. I would be very curious to hear any more suggestions. Cheers Ian
"Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics" by Jonathan Wilson is an excellent read in by opinion. As the title suggests, it is a history of football tactics - and pretty much therefore, a history of football in general. It looks at how football, and specifically tactics, have developed over time - and principally the coaches and regions of the world involved (for example, Austria, Hungary, Holland, Russia and Brazil all feature in some depth). If you are interested in football history, or you just ever wondered where 4-4-2 came from, then this is the book for you.
I recently read "Floodlit Dreams: How to Save a Football Club" by Ian Ridley. About his time as Chairman of Weymouth Football Club with Steve Clarridge as manager. Pretty good insight into the politics which can effect a club even at that level. Picked it up on Amazon for a couple of pounds.
please log in to view this image http://www.amazon.co.uk/Father-Othe...2684/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305018254&sr=8-1 My Father & other Working class heroes - by Gary Imlach. Brilliant book. Very touching in places as Gary Imlach tells the story of his father, who was a scottish international in the 1960's and then assistant manager at Everton in the 70's. Very interesting to see how in those days, players had almost no power and the chairman treated many of them like dirt. Also how it's not just these days that back handers and bungs went on, it was rife back then as well. Very moving chapter about how his father was treated disgracefully by the Scottish FA over a technicality about him getting his Scottish cap. And lots of other interesting glimpses into how football was... and still is. Thoroughly recommend this book.
The Miracle of Castel di Sangro - Joe McGinniss Follows the story of this small Italian club's journey through their debut season in Serie B (1996/97). Although the author is American, and therefore goes into the more basic details of the game than is perhaps required for the knowledgable football fan, in my opinion this does not spoil a cracking read.
Just finished "My father and other working class football heroes." Thought that this was an excellent book and, ultimately, a pretty sad story. One of the best books I've read about football and fascinating to learn how poorly football players were treated. Scotland's preparations for the 1958 World Cup reads like an Ealing comedy.
'Provided you don't kiss me' by Duncan Hamilton was a most enjoyable read. There are also some excellent cricket books out there.
Have read the Tony Adams one as well which was a good read and Fever Pitch is a classic and always worth a re-read in my opinion. I'm def not an Arsenal fan but my third rec would be the Perry Groves bio which does have parts about Saints.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Live-Pe...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306772863&sr=8-1-spell Another great read and a really interesting story is the following which is about an amatuer german gkeeper who finds himself playing for Barnsley when they were in the PL - i thought it was excellent! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keeper-Drea...4436/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306773062&sr=8-2
Charles Buchan's football monthly compilation. It has Stanley Matthews on the cover and is filled with articles from this wonderful publication, from about the 2nd world war, until the magazines ultimate demise in the 70's. I personally vouchsafe, that you will read this right through, from start to finish. It includes adverts too, from the days when, for example, players promoted cigarettes "I simply couldn't afford to smoke a cigarette, that irritates my throat" and Charles Atlas style comic strips, "grow a body like an Adonis in just three weeks". Marvellous.
"Tales From The Boot Camps" by Steve Claridge and Ian Ridley is an interesting read, especially where he takes the mickey out of Kevin Bond when he was Pompey's coach, and struggled to understand the offside rule ! "The Damned United" by David Peace is a superb book about Brian Clough.
I read "The Damned United" and enjoyed the book but I think it is one of the rare examples where the film was actually far better and probably a more accurate representation of what Brian Clough was like.
i would thoroughly recommend "Fathers, sons and football" by Colin Schindler. It charts the story of three generations of the Summerbee family over 70 years, George, Mike (famous in 60's and 70's at man City) and nicky. It is a mix of football stories and social history from the 30's omwards, but most of all its a cracking read.
For something a bit lighter, Danny Baker & Danny Kelly's book "Classic Football Debates Settled Once and For All - Vol. 1" is a good read - very entertaining.
