Books about football - suggestions please

[Jerseybean]

Not sure if there is already a thread on this, I couldn’t find one, if there is please can the mods amalgamate this.

Have just finished reading ‘The footballer who could fly’ by Duncan Hamilton. 

Would be good to hear of other good reads on the subject of football books. 

[sticks 1969]

All played out the story about Italy 1990 brilliant read

 

[A Horse With No Name]

32 minutes ago, Jerseybean said:

Not sure if there is already a thread on this, I couldn’t find one, if there is please can the mods amalgamate this.

Have just finished reading ‘The footballer who could fly’ by Duncan Hamilton. 

Would be good to hear of other good reads on the subject of football books. 

Don't know if you like auto/biographies but currently reading Geoff Merrick's, but also Brian Clough's is a good one also Johan Cruyff.

[Davefevs]

David Conn - The Beautiful Game (lots of stuff re how teams cheated or overspent)

Simon Jordan - Autobiography (yes, I do recommend this)

 

[And Its Smith]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Castel-Sangro-Joe-McGinniss/dp/075152753X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3O8O1OY5K4Q1Z&keywords=castel+di+sangro+football&qid=1658143959&sprefix=castel+di+sangrio+football%2Caps%2C53&sr=8-1
 

Superb book 

[Richard Head]

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is brilliant, much better than the film. I also remember Only A Game? by Eamonn Dunphy from the 1970s which I thought was well written.

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Castel-Sangro-Joe-McGinniss/dp/075152753X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3O8O1OY5K4Q1Z&keywords=castel+di+sangro+football&qid=1658143959&sprefix=castel+di+sangrio+football%2Caps%2C53&sr=8-1
 

Superb book 

That’ll do for hollybobs.

[Jerseybean]

1 minute ago, Richard Head said:

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is brilliant, much better than the film. I also remember Only A Game? by Eamonn Dunphy from the 1970s which I thought was well written.

I need to re-read Fever Pitch remember it being excellent 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Richard Head said:

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is brilliant, much better than the film. I also remember Only A Game? by Eamonn Dunphy from the 1970s which I thought was well written.

I read Dunphy’s book in school, was the first of its kind.

The Garry Nelson diaries, Left Foot Forward and Left Foot in the Grave are excellent too.

[Bristol Oil Services]

Frank McAvennie's memoir: "Birds, Booze, Blondes, Bubbly, Breasts, Birds" or whatever it was called. 

[Leveller]

I’m just reading Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson. Fascinating, albeit hard going at times too. Football tactics from the nineteenth century onwards.

Edited July 18, 2022 by Leveller

[chinapig]

1 minute ago, Leveller said:

I’m just reading The Inverted Pyramid. Fascinating, albeit hard going at times too. Football tactics from the nineteenth century onwards.

Do you mean Inverting The Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson? In which case I agree.

[Sir Geoff]

Pep Confidential. A brilliant insight into Peps first year at Bayern. The author had unlimited access to Pep and recounts loads of technical and tactical insights. A fascinating read.

[chinapig]

Das Reboot: How German Football Reinvented Itself and Conquered the World by Raphael Honigstein.

 

[Sir Geoff]

Bobby Moore the man in full by Matt Dickinson. Extensively researched. Another great insight into Bobby's career on and off the pitch.

[BTRFTG]

Ronald Reng's - A life too short

Ghostwritten - Ossie, King of Stamford 

Stan Bowles (though ghostwritten) - Stan The Man

Paolo Hewitt - The greatest footballer you never saw

Kevin Beattie - The Beat

Pete Davies - All Played Out

For Fiction , the utterly brilliant David Peace's The Damned United

Edited July 18, 2022 by BTRFTG

[Marvin]

Where's Your Caravan?: My Life on Football's B-Roads

By Chris Hargreaves (now manager of Yeovil Town)

[In the Net]

Harry Dolman's Biography

The Working Man's Ballet - Alan Hudson (probably more interesting if you can remember that era of football)

Charity shops are a great place to pick up football books.

 

One of the very few books that I never finished was an early Gary Linekar autobiography, the most boring book ever. 

[ExiledAjax]

Echo the thoughts on "Inverting the Pyramid". It's heavy and dense, but as a history of tactics (and society) it's unmatched.

If you're interested in youth development then I recommend "No Hunger in Paradise" by Michael Calvin. Calvin's got a number of books out, including the classic "The Nowhere Men", but I enjoyed "No Hunger" the most.

Finally, Nedum Onuaha was a much needed fresh voice on the podcasts last season. I've not read his new book "Kicking Back" but if his written word is as good as his spoken it should be a good read. I'll be grabbing it once it's in paperback.

[In the Net]

Steaming In - Colin Ward - one of the early books about following football in the 1970's and 1980's.  It isn't one of those typical hooligan type books - "we ran everybody off our manor", blah, blah, blah.  An authentic account from somebody who was there at the time, not a main protaganist.  It's been years since I read it, but I felt that it painted a true picture of what it was like to be on the terraces. 

[mozo]

I once read the Garrincha biog by Ruy Castro and really enjoyed it.

I'd never heard of him at the time but what a guy.

[Davefevs]

3 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Echo the thoughts on "Inverting the Pyramid". It's heavy and dense, but as a history of tactics (and society) it's unmatched.

If you're interested in youth development then I recommend "No Hunger in Paradise" by Michael Calvin. Calvin's got a number of books out, including the classic "The Nowhere Men", but I enjoyed "No Hunger" the most.

Finally, Nedum Onuaha was a much needed fresh voice on the podcasts last season. I've not read his new book "Kicking Back" but if his written word is as good as his spoken it should be a good read. I'll be grabbing it once it's in paperback.

Probably my least fave…my fave is Living On The Volcano.

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

I really enjoyed David Peace’s book about Bill Shankly ‘Red or Dead’, but it’s not for the faint hearted.  I’d suggest having a look at it in a bookshop to check whether you think it’s for you, as it is a mind-boggling book, incredibly repetitive, but quite hypnotic if you can get into it.  You’ve been warned!

[GrahamC]

23 minutes ago, chinapig said:

Do you mean Inverting The Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson? In which case I agree.

Wilson has also written the history of football in Argentina which is brilliant & Behind the Curtain about Eastern European football, which is also very good.

[ExiledAjax]

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Probably my least fave…my fave is Living On The Volcano.

Don't think I have tried that one. I found Nowhere Men a struggle, but felt Hunger was good, especially now that we know how the careers of most of the youth prospects mentioned therein have turned out. Some that are being highly rated at the time the book was written have faded into obscurity, whilst others are Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden. I think that makes it a good time to read this particular Calvin effort.

One other that I wanted to mention is "The Hard Yards" by Nige Tassell. It follows the 2019/20 Championship season, and is coming out in paperback on 4 August. Tassell focuses on Wycombe, Bournemouth and Sheff Wed (who had the -12 points hit that season) but he says he covers the whole division so we should be mentioned regularly. Re-live the final days of Lee Johnson, from the heady heights of signing Kasey Palmer (again), Benik Afobe's cameo, and going unbeaten for 10 games in the early season through to an FA Cup exit to Shrewsbury, COVID sweeping the nation, and Rodri saving us all. Should be an absolute classic.

Edited July 18, 2022 by ExiledAjax

[Dave L]

Would add my recommendations for The Miracle of Castel Sangro and The Damned Utd.  And if you want to read more about Cloughie, then 'Provided you Don't Kiss Me', by Duncan Hamilton is excellent. Also 'Full Time - The Secret Life of Tony Cascarino' by Paul Kimmage - brilliant book.

[spudski]

13 minutes ago, Dave L said:

Would add my recommendations for The Miracle of Castel Sangro and The Damned Utd.  And if you want to read more about Cloughie, then 'Provided you Don't Kiss Me', by Duncan Hamilton is excellent. Also 'Full Time - The Secret Life of Tony Cascarino' by Paul Kimmage - brilliant book.

The Miracle of Castel Sangro is a great read.

As is...A Season with Verona by Tim Parks.

 

[Henry]

Wayne Rooney is good.

As in good, if you’re trying to get the kids to sleep.

[Mike Hunt-Hertz]

Pointless, by Jeff Connor. A season following East Stirlingshire, who were dubbed the worst team in Britain. Humorous and melancholy, all at the same time.

[Tinmans Love Child]

The Romford Pelé: It’s only Ray Parlour’s autobiography https://amzn.eu/d/8vxxglR
 

Ray Parlours autobiography is brilliant, so many funny stories, and crosses over from the old school culture to the Wenger years, I read it in a few days, could put it down!

 

Not football, but Shoe Dog is a brilliant read, all about the story of the guy who set up Nike to try and compete with Addidas, sounds boring but it was really good, one of the best sport related books I’ve read

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0182LF9SG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SJ0WH1VACV9GZ1Z8C4Z0

[sugarwray]

For something international ….

Futebol: the Brazilian Way of Life - Alex Bellos

Ajax, the Dutch, the War - Simon Kuper

both amazing insights

[sugarwray]

1 hour ago, Richard Head said:

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is brilliant, much better than the film. I also remember Only A Game? by Eamonn Dunphy from the 1970s which I thought was well written.

Nice chapter about Malcolm McDonalds debut for Arsenal against Bristol City, pre match he bragged about scoring five against the country bumpkins. Paul Cheesley’s goal secured us a 0-1 win in our first game in the top flight for ages, August 76, heatwave, Wurzels at number one, only green grass in the country was at the football grounds…. Happy Days

[MSN Red]

Robin Friday - The greatest footballer you never saw

[Davefevs]

35 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Don't think I have tried that one. I found Nowhere Men a struggle, but felt Hunger was good, especially now that we know how the careers of most of the youth prospects mentioned therein have turned out. Some that are being highly rated at the time the book was written have faded into obscurity, whilst others are Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden. I think that makes it a good time to read this particular Calvin effort.

One other that I wanted to mention is "The Hard Yards" by Nige Tassell. It follows the 2019/20 Championship season, and is coming out in paperback on 4 August. Tassell focuses on Wycombe, Bournemouth and Sheff Wed (who had the -12 points hit that season) but he says he covers the whole division so we should be mentioned regularly. Re-live the final days of Lee Johnson, from the heady heights of signing Kasey Palmer (again), Benik Afobe's cameo, and going unbeaten for 10 games in the early season through to an FA Cup exit to Shrewsbury, COVID sweeping the nation, and Rodri saving us all. Should be an absolute classic.

I liked his ‘the bottom corner’, following non-league teams around.  Got a feeling he might live in Bishop Sutton.

[Merrick's Marvels]

39 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

I really enjoyed David Peace’s book about Bill Shankly ‘Red or Dead’, but it’s not for the faint hearted.  I’d suggest having a look at it in a bookshop to check whether you think it’s for you, as it is a mind-boggling book, incredibly repetitive, but quite hypnotic if you can get into it.  You’ve been warned!

I'm led to believe this is his style in general. I've had his 'Red or Dead' on my wish list for ages.

Might give 'The Damned United' a go but am struggling to give a toss about Leeds Utd and therefore devote time to it ; the film was ok, a good impersonation by the welsh fella. Peace has also written acclaimed novels but, like you say, his style is "interesting".  Would rather just read a good biography of Cloughie, of which there's more than one.  

[Tinmans Love Child]

2 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

I'm led to believe this is his style in general. I've had his 'Red or Dead' on my wish list for ages.

Might give 'The Damned United' a go but am struggling to give a toss about Leeds Utd and therefore devote time to it ; the film was ok, a good impersonation by the welsh fella. Peace has also written acclaimed novels but, like you say, his style is "interesting".  Would rather just read a good biography of Cloughie, of which there's more than one.  

If you don’t like Leeds then the Damned Utd is for you!  The book is very good and much more like a novel really

[Bristol Oil Services]

42 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Wilson has also written the history of football in Argentina 

....picked it up again, after you mentioned it t'other day. Fast-forwarded, though, to the late 60s, fascinating on the 70s, and all the political shenanigans. What a country (but, you sure about actually going there?)

[BS15_RED]

Be Good Love Brian, by Craig Bromfield, maybe not strictly about Football, but a dam good read nonetheless.

[Oh Louie louie]

Quiet genius, about bob paisley.

He took no prisoners.

[Bristol Oil Services]

21 minutes ago, Tinmans Love Child said:

 

Not football, but 

.... crikey, if we go there/here, this thread might go on .... longer than the Dustbin one ....

[cidered abroad]

Whistle Blower by Mark Clattenburg

[Merrick's Marvels]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I liked his ‘the bottom corner’, following non-league teams around.  Got a feeling he might live in Bishop Sutton.

Think you're right - he was certainly a local journalist in Bristol and editor of Venue magazine for many years. 

[GrahamC]

4 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

....picked it up again, after you mentioned it t'other day. Fast-forwarded, though, to the late 60s, fascinating on the 70s, and all the political shenanigans. What a country (but, you sure about actually going there?)

More than anywhere.

Was due to go in 2002 but they had another financial crash & there was a lot of rioting, plus I realised that it was also the 20th anniversary of the Falklands war.

Always wanted to go & let’s face it I’ve been on holiday to Syria, to Russia under Yeltsin & Cuba under Fidel, so this will be a walk in the park..

[Will Rollason]

9 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

I'm led to believe this is his style in general. I've had his 'Red or Dead' on my wish list for ages.

Might give 'The Damned United' a go but am struggling to give a toss about Leeds Utd and therefore devote time to it ; the film was ok, a good impersonation by the welsh fella. Peace has also written acclaimed novels but, like you say, his style is "interesting".  Would rather just read a good biography of Cloughie, of which there's more than one.  

Stick with it, I happened to be a Leeds fan at that point in time as I was only 5/6 and they were the top team,  it's an unusual book in the way it's written. Bit of a stretch but elements of it are almost akin to Ulysses or even the Odyssey... the film doesn't capture it really even with Micheal sheen

[Curr Avon]

1 hour ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

I really enjoyed David Peace’s book about Bill Shankly ‘Red or Dead’, but it’s not for the faint hearted.  I’d suggest having a look at it in a bookshop to check whether you think it’s for you, as it is a mind-boggling book, incredibly repetitive, but quite hypnotic if you can get into it.  You’ve been warned!

Its The Damned United on steroids. Brilliant read.

[Selred]

Striker! by Steve Bruce. 

[Bristol Oil Services]

5 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

More than anywhere.

Was due to go in 2002 but they had another financial crash & there was a lot of rioting, plus I realised that it was also the 20th anniversary of the Falklands war.

Always wanted to go & let’s face it I’ve been on holiday to Syria, to Russia under Yeltsin & Cuba under Fidel, so this will be a walk in the park..

And "Twerton Park, under Francis" remember 

[ExiledAjax]

6 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

More than anywhere.

Was due to go in 2002 but they had another financial crash & there was a lot of rioting, plus I realised that it was also the 20th anniversary of the Falklands war.

Always wanted to go & let’s face it I’ve been on holiday to Syria, to Russia under Yeltsin & Cuba under Fidel, so this will be a walk in the park..

I had a bloody lovely time in Buenos Aires, the wetlands of Ibera, and on an overland trip up to the Iguazu waterfalls on the three-way border with Brasil and Paraguay.

I found Argentinians to be friendly, hospitable, and easygoing. BA has the usual issue of all big cities, but getting out and into the countryside was fantastic fun.

Highly recommended and ignore any Falklands worries.  

If you ever go then it's worth taking the boat across the River Plate and checking out Montevideo in Uruguay. Good lord the steaks.

[BTRFTG]

1 hour ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

I really enjoyed David Peace’s book about Bill Shankly ‘Red or Dead’, but it’s not for the faint hearted.  I’d suggest having a look at it in a bookshop to check whether you think it’s for you, as it is a mind-boggling book, incredibly repetitive, but quite hypnotic if you can get into it.  You’ve been warned!

That's the brilliance of Peace's writing (both football & non-football.) His rhythmic repetition as an accentuating device is mesmeric. It's personifies all adulation or hatred held. It recalls the form of Stewart Lee's comedy, how to take a single line or premise and turn it into an half hour routine yet remain funny throughout.

[BTRFTG]

34 minutes ago, MSN Red said:

Robin Friday - The greatest footballer you never saw

'...doing The Elephant.....' Once read, never forgotten

[awbb]

Both of Garry Nelson's books are excellent. Left Foot Forward and Left Back in the Grave.

Rick Gekoski's account of Coventry City's 97/98 season, Staying Up, is absolutely hilarious as well. I can't believe a Premier League (at the time) football club allowed some random American the access that he had.

 

 

[Zip Nolan]

When Footballers were Skint by Jon Henderson.

[Merrick's Marvels]

3 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

Not sure if there is already a thread on this, I couldn’t find one, if there is please can the mods amalgamate this.

Have just finished reading ‘The footballer who could fly’ by Duncan Hamilton. 

Would be good to hear of other good reads on the subject of football books. 

It's difficult to know what to recommend without knowing what you're interested in - are you after a ghost written biography about boozin' bettin' and shaggin' by a footballer who can barely speak, never mind write or something a bit more in depth?

Any book by Jonathan Wilson, some recommended here, will give you as much social history as it will football - the game is placed in a wider context, so you learn about all sorts. No idea if that's your thing, though.

If it is.... 

'A Brilliant Orange - The neurotic genius of Dutch football' by David Winner is the book that inspired this style of serious football writing. It's a history of Dutch football, mostly their Total Football of the 60s/70s, Cruyff et al. As a disciple of JC  - Johan Cruyff not Jesus Christ - I recommend it highly. But it's also a whole lot more, it's about how their football reflects their culture and history. The first line of the Introduction is:

"If this is a book about Dutch football, at some stage you'll probably wonder why it contains pages and pages about art and architects, cows and canals, anarchists, church painters, rabbis and airports but barely a word, for example, about PSV and Feyenoord"

And so a whole industry was born.  But as I say, it might not be what you're looking for. Football writing has certainly come a long way, though, that's for sure.

As a fan of all things Dutch, I'll also mention 'Stillness and Speed' which is Dennis Bergkamp's autobiography (co-written with Winner). This concentrates a whole lot more on football rather than social history and recent football at that (Cruyff and the 1970s may be ancient history to you, depending on your age). There's a lot of stuff about Arsenal, obviously. Can't say I'm fussed about them but Bergkamp - "the sober Dziekanowski" as he's known - was a particular favourite of mine.   

Edited July 18, 2022 by Merrick's Marvels

[Merrick's Marvels]

42 minutes ago, BTRFTG said:

That's the brilliance of Peace's writing (both football & non-football.) His rhythmic repetition as an accentuating device is mesmeric. It's personifies all adulation or hatred held. It recalls the form of Stewart Lee's comedy, how to take a single line or premise and turn it into an half hour routine yet remain funny throughout.

You're right! I hadn't made the connection before. Thanks. 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Merrick's Marvels

[Port Said Red]

I see someone has mentioned Harry Dolmans book, I really enjoyed that.

Also for a light hearted look at the life of the true journeyman footballer, take a look at Lutz Pfannenstiel's The Unstoppable Keeper. He is the only man to have played on all six continents that soccer is played on, it's hilarious at times.

[j1974]

Trautmann's Journey (from Hitler youth to fa cup legend) was a really good read if you also enjoy war history. 

[steveybadger]

‘Dynamo’ by ? Sorry bit hazy!

Man Utd ruined my life - Colin Schindler

Dirty Northern B****** by Tim Marshall (about origin of chants, by guy who wrote ‘Prisonners of Geography’ which is fab.)

soccernomics and Playing against the enemy, by Simon Kuper

[Merrick's Marvels]

14 minutes ago, j1974 said:

Trautmann's Journey (from Hitler youth to fa cup legend) was a really good read if you also enjoy war history. 

Yes I enjoyed that one. And to think he popped in to Ashton Gate after the war asking for a game but was told - no you're alright! 

[Ashtonboy]

There's only 2 David Beckhams by David Byrne.

"Keegan resigned after someone in the crowd tutted".

Very funny book.

[Leveller]

3 hours ago, chinapig said:

Do you mean Inverting The Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson? In which case I agree.

Ha! I put the book down long enough to get the title wrong, then edited it within 90 seconds. And you still beat me to it.  

[j1974]

15 minutes ago, Merrick's Marvels said:

Yes I enjoyed that one. And to think he popped in to Ashton Gate after the war asking for a game but was told - no you're alright! 

Another one we missed out on

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

6 minutes ago, Ashtonboy said:

There's only 2 David Beckhams by David Byrne.

"Keegan resigned after someone in the crowd tutted".

Very funny book.

By John O’Farrell, surely?

[readie14]

Not a book I would read, but found this on Amazon about Harry the dog, made me.laugh reading the description.

.

Description

Harry the Dog is a legend amongst British football hooligans. As leader of Millwall’s notorious F-Troop during the 1970s, he was at the forefront of many of the fist fights, pitch battles and gang warfare that broke out between rival firms in that era, including at Eastville Stadium in Bristol where he single-handedly tore into Bristol Rovers firm, the Gas Hit Squad and began headbutting, kicking, punching and gouging the eyes out of every member of that pathetic little outfit who got in his way. Famous for his Awooooooooo howl, which could be heard every time he went into battle, Harry is perhaps best known for his 1977 appearance on the British documentary Panorama, where a startled nation witnessed Harry’s hooligan activities at first hand, and because of his notorious brawl with neo-Nazi hardman Mickey Crane, which many regard as the most violent and bloody fist fight of the century.

[Jerseybean]

Thank you everyone for your excellent contributions and suggestions. 

[Ashtonboy]

1 hour ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

By John O’Farrell, surely?

Correct.

[Reigate Red]

A book I read a very long time ago is "The Glory Game" by Hunter Davies. It follows Spurs during the 1971-72 season when they won UEFA cup. The unusual thing for the time was that Hunter Davies was allowed almost unrestricted backroom access throughout the season. 

I re-read it a few years ago and it gives a taste for football in the early seventies that is a real contrast to today.  Little ol Bristol City also get a mention when Bill Nicholson visits Ashton Gate for a reserve match.

[Taz]

Anybody read the Christian Roberts book, and is it worth a read? Have been tempted for a while but price fluctuates quite a bit.

[Merrick's Marvels]

7 minutes ago, Taz said:

Anybody read the Christian Roberts book, and is it worth a read? Have been tempted for a while but price fluctuates quite a bit.

"I used to love football. I loved drinking even more. Shame you couldn't do them at the same time. I scored a goal once that caused an earthquake. The end."

There you go, that's saved a few quid.

Buy yourself a pint instead - how appropriate! 

[Midlands Robin]

They've already been mentioned but I will second Gary Nelson's "Left foot forward" and "Left foot in the Grave". City get a few mentions in both books. I'd say "Left foot in the Grave" looking at his time on the managment team at Torquay is the better read of the two but both books are fantastic.

I'd also highly recommend "Provided you don't kiss me - 20 Years with Brian Clough" by Duncan Hamilton.

 

[22A]

"The Glory Game" by Hunter Davies who spent a year embedded with Spurs in 71-72

As I'm nearly 70 I quite enjoy:-

.