The 2020/21 football calendar was like no other. The first full Premier League season played during a global pandemic saw the schedule shortened with games played seemingly every day between September and May. The stadiums were empty, revenues fell and coaches had to adapt as players tested positive for Covid-19, but the beautiful game carried on. Football in a Pandemic takes an in-depth look at the tactics and strategies used during this unique season, whether a side was competing at the very summit, clinging to survival or somewhere in between. From high pressing, to low-block defending, patient build-up play and quick-fire counter attacking, UEFA A-licensed coach Sam Hudson puts the game plans under the microscope, highlighting the many intricacies and micro-tactics used by some of football's finest coaching minds.

'Sunny' Jim Young is reckoned by some Celtic historians to be the greatest Celt of them all, winning nine League Championships (three as captain) and six Scottish Cups. Amazingly, he was only capped once for Scotland, and his tragic death aged only forty plunged the whole of Scottish football into sadness. This book profiles the life and career of a Parkhead legend.

This systematic historical and sociological study of the phenomenon of football hooliganism examines the history of crowd disorderliness at association football matches in Britain and assesses both popular and academic explanations of the problem. The authors' study starts in the 1880s, when professional football first emerged in its modern form, charting the pre and inter-war periods and revealing that England's World Cup triumph formed a watershed. The changing social composition of football crowds and the changing class structure of British society is discussed and the genesis of modern football hooliganism is explained by tracing it to the cultural conditions and circumstances which reproduce in young working-class males an interest in a publicly expressed aggressive masculine style.

When Peter Minto first discovered the name of F N S Creek, he began to unravel a forgotten legend of British football. He soon found that there was far more to this man than it seemed...When the First World War broke out, F N S Creek found himself battling in the squalid trenches of Flanders and soon transferred into the Royal Flying Corps performing dangerous aerial reconnaissance and bombing missions behind enemy lines, eventually earning a military cross for his contributions. Despite the short life expectancy of aircrew, Creek returned to England to study at Trinity College, Cambridge, and there he first discovered his talent for football. F N S Creek quickly grew to celebrity status with his spectacular scoring ability, earning caps for England and later going on to coach the Olympic team for sixteen years. Throughout his career he revolutionised the coaching of football throughout the nation whilst also becoming a successful cricketer, writer, journalist and broadcaster. In this extensively-researched biography of a forgotten legend of English football, Peter Minto presents the remarkable life of F N S Creek.

"Derby's Days" delves deep into the historic rivalry between Derby County and Nottingham Forest, to investigate just why it is so special to everyone involved - from players to managers to supporters. It offers legendary stories, looking back at the greatest clashes between the clubs. Derby County v Nottingham Forest is a rivalry steeped in history, drama, controversy, success, failure, and pretty much anything else football can throw at you. How about recovering from your goalkeeper being sent off after a couple of minutes to win on opposition turf, a double over your rivals on the way to winning your first title while they get relegated, or even beating them in European competition? Then again, it's not always been plain-sailing. Who can forget the two disallowed goals and a missed penalty in stoppage-time, or the publicly-paraded yet ultimately failed signing of the rivals' star player, and that's without even considering the FA Cup final between the two sides? "Derby's Days" delves deep into the rivalry to see just what makes it tick and why it is so special to everyone involved - from players to managers to supporters. And as the title suggests it's a look at all things great and good from a black and white perspective, celebrating the history of this most anticipated of fixtures and looking back in great detail over many of the Rams' greatest moments against their foes from along Brian Clough Way.

This is a humourous and touching account of an Everton fans unexpected move abroad. It is loaded with adventure and surprise, a true journey of self-discovery. Football fans passionate about their team will relate to the intense need to 'get the result' no matter where they are in the world. On Friday, 1 September 1989 Cliff Green boarded a plane from Heathrow to Nairobi to begin what he imagined to be a two year interlude to his teaching career in the UK. He was 27 and had never lived overseas before. In all respects he was very much a 'homeboy' being immensely attached to the British culture notably pop music, English pubs, Coronation Street and, most significantly, Everton Football Club. In all respects he was the last person on earth that anyone would have expected to live away from the shores of the UK. He even surprised himself with the decision. On 15 March 2011 he returned to England after more than two decades of teaching overseas in a journey that included Kenya, Bermuda and Uganda and a career path that led to his appointment in 2009 as Principal of one of the largest international schools in East Africa. There was also a personal journey of discovery and adventure loaded with humour and surprise and, while the pull of British culture diminished, the passion for Everton just grew and grew, no matter how difficult it may have been to 'get the result'.

This is a complete history of Norwich City, including facts, figures, highs and lows and a short biography on each personality. It is a must read for all Norwich supporters that appreciate those whose time at Norwich have done so much to shape a brilliant club. "Hall of Fame - Norwich's All Time Greats" looks at some fascinating facts and figures about the Hall of Fame in general before examining each personality in more detail though a short biography. The biographies look at each characters career, focusing specifically on their achievements, their records and their memorable moments with Norwich City illustrating just why Canary supporters hold them in such great esteem. Written in chronological order it takes you on a journey through the complete history of Norwich City, reliving the many successes and also the lows, through the 'Famers' involved in that era.

Containing 1,000 challenging questions, "The Blue Army Quiz Book" will test the memory of all Leicester City fans with sections covering every aspect of the club's history. It is all here, from the club's humble beginning at Fosse Road through to the magnificent King Power Stadium, from fixtures with Harborough Town through to Real Madrid, from Arthur Chandler to Gary Lineker, Johnny Duncan to Sven Goran Erikson, from a 6-6 draw with Arsenal to Wembley wins, and from relegation battles to promotion play-offs. Informative as it is entertaining, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of fun for Leicester's Blue Army of fans.

This is a book guaranteed to provide hours of fun for Leyton Orient's loyal fans. Containing over 1,300 challenging questions, "Leyton Orient The Official Quiz Book" will test the memory of all O's fans with sections covering every aspect of the club's history. Some of the questions being fairly easy, and some a little more difficult, but all done with the purpose of enlightening all O's and footballing fans around the world about our grand history and important events. It also covers many of the players and officials over the years right down to today when we all look to the Gaffer, Russell Slade and his boys taking O's up the League. As informative as it is entertaining, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of fun for Leyton Orient's loyal fans.

"Son of My Father" explores the changing relationship between father, son and their beloved football club - Derby County. Along with the changing faces of managers and players: the fads, news and music of the eighties and nineties are brought to life. To the backdrop of driving through clouds to Oldham, to driving rain in Bristol, "Son of My Father" explores the changing relationship between father, son and their football club. From the eyes of a hero-worshipping four-year-old, through to a relationship of mutual admiration and shared understanding, via the angst and traumatic misunderstandings of an adolescent, Matches from Leyton to Liverpool punctuate a story about growing up at the end of the second millennium. The novel includes the family life as well as the football and what it was like supporting Derby County in a house occupied by a brother whose allegiance stood steadfast towards rivals Nottingham Forest. It also covers the friendships that were made at school, just because we supported the same team. Along with the changing faces of managers and players: the fads, news and music of the eighties and nineties are brought to life, as well as the dawning of the new millennium where overnight we all realised that despite the Y2K Bug promising computer meltdown, 1 January 2000 was just the same as 31 December 1999. "Son of My Father" charts the relationship between the author, his Dad and Derby County Football Club, from their first visit together to the Baseball Ground in November 1979 and through two and a half decades spent watching their team.

The "Burnley FC Miscellany" offers a detailed history of Burnley FC, where you can read some of the odd, quaint and quirky things that have been part of the past 125 years of Clarets history. 'Read all about it!' in "The Burnley FC Miscellany". Burnley Football Club come from the smallest town ever to win League Division One and the FA Cup. Some big city clubs currently in the Premier League have won neither! Burnley FC's history sparkles with international players, 'football firsts' and record-breaking achievements. Among their players have been a Footballer of the Year, one who played for Great Britain, several who played in World Cups and at least one who captained his country. But this book is mainly about Burnley 'off the record'. Here you can read some of the odd, quaint and quirky things that have been part of the past 125 years of Clarets history. Who scored three goals for England and was never picked again? When did Burnley play 10 Scots in the first team, making the only Englishman feel 'lonely'? And what has golf in a hotel bedroom got to do with anything? When Burnley were in Division Four, how was it that they attracted over 80,000 to watch them in one game? When did 10 Blackburn Rovers players walk off the pitch? Which position did Blackadder play in the Burnley team? And which bricklayer became the club's greatest ever player?

Formed in 1895 as the works team of Thames Ironworks, they were renamed West Ham United in 1900 when they turned professional. The Hammers took part in the first Wembley Cup Final in 1923. They won the cup for the first time in 1964, following up with Wembley victories in 1975 and 1980. In 1966 England won the World Cup with the help of three Hammers players - Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. Two months earlier, the Hammers had made history in their own right by winning the European Cup-winners Cup with an all-Englash eleven. This is a wonderful record of some of the greatest days in the history of this great club.

"The Who's Who of West Bromwich Albion" looks at the varied experiences of the Baggies through the club's lifeblood - the players. Here are details of the careers of all the players, including the number of appearances they made, the number of goals they scored, the position they played in and their transfer records. This comprehensive volume is a valuable addition to the bookshelves of all West Brom fans. This comprehensive book consists of detailed biographies of every player ever to take part in a first-team game for the Baggies since the club entered the FA Cup in November 1883. Author Tony Matthews has meticulously researched the history of West Brom to uncover such details as when a player joined the club and where from, how many appearances he made, which positions he played in, how many goals he scored and where he went to when he left the Hawthorns. International and FA Cup performances are also recorded. Other staff of the club are not forgotten, and within these pages are biographies of all the managers, chairmen, directors, secretaries, trainers and coaches that have worked behind the scenes to shape the history of this proud club. The book is illustrated throughout with a fine collection of pictures, many of them from the club's own archives. The result is a book that is a must-have for every Baggies fan that is sure to find its way onto the bookshelves of supporters young and old.

This book captures the dramas and the emotion of Manchester City's victories and losses, as witnessed through the eyes of two lifelong City fans, 40 something Will and nephew Martyn, 17 years his junior. Feel their hopes, fears, nerves, disappointment, resignation, exultation and final relief. Forty-four years since their last top league title, City were crowned champions of England in 2012 for only the 3rd time in their history, pipping local rivals Manchester United on goal difference in the process. In 1999 they won a far less coveted trophy awarded for winning the Division Two promotion play-off final and thus propelling the club back up to the heights of English football s 2nd tier (at about the same time, the aforementioned local rivals were completing an unprecedented treble of the English Title & Cup as well as being crowned champions of Europe). Without City s 99 victory, it is highly likely that 2012 triumph would never have happened. Modern City may be light years away from the humble outfit of just over a decade ago, but there are plenty of parallels to be drawn alongside all of the contrasts.

Dave's story began at his local club Manchester City. His move to Molinuex, following four and a half years at Maine Road, was finalised on Boxing Day 1964.And it is from there that his story truly begins. He was a key figure in the squad, and ever present in the number 11 shirt when promotion was gained in 1967. He played in two major finals for Wolves, receiving a runners'-up medal in the UEFA Cup Final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in 1972. He eventually left Molineux for Blackburn Rovers in 1976, but he will always be regarded as one of the finest wingers to play for Wolves and fondly remembered for the class and skill he displayed during the 1960s and 70s. Dave Wagstaffe's autobiography is told with humour and wit and gives the reader a fascinating glimpse into his unique story.

This biography shows how he survived the bullying of Brian Clough, public rejection by his brother, John, and abuse from the terraces. But it also tells of clubs eager to sign him, support from managers and teammates, and affection from supporters. As a child, Justin Fashanu was put into care and eventually raised by white foster parents. He rose to fame as a forward for Norwich City and became the first black player to command a GBP1m transfer fee when he joined Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest. Desperate for the wealth and celebrity he had lost, Fashanu's attempts to sell fabricated sex scandals to the tabloid press ended in a humiliating exit from Britain. Justin Fashanu was a charming man who became a reluctant pioneer. This flawed hero is a significant figure in football, in the story of black people in Britain and in gay history. This is the story of his fascinating life.

This book aims to provide an extensive overview of how football is organized and managed on a European level and in individual European countries, and to account for the evolution of the national, international and transnational management of football over the last decades.

Football. Bloody hell.'

The longest serving and most successful manager in British football history shocked the world by finally retiring in May 2013 and instantly created more column inches and twitter mentions that the death of Margaret Thatcher. And he wasn’t just the greatest, but also one of the most outspoken, engaging and witty voices from the game, as this book proves. Here is the history of his supreme verbal sparring during his years at Manchester United - the man in his own words (with a few additional thoughts from those who knew him best and crossed swords with him most).

'There's nothing wrong with losing your temper once in a while if it's for the right reasons'

'If he was an inch taller he’d be the best centre-half in Britain. His father is 6ft 2in – I’d check the milkman' On Gary Neville

'He could start a row in an empty house' On Denis Wise

'The list of gentle, naturally retiring men who have been successful in their attempts at running clubs isn't a long one, is it?

As the first edited collection dedicated specifically to race, ethnicity and British football, this book brings together a range of academics, comprising both established commentators and up-and-coming voices. Combining theoretical and empirical contributions, the volume addresses a wide variety of topics such as the experiences of Muslims, the recruitment of African players, devolution and national identities, case studies of minority ethnic clubs, "mixed-race" players, multiculturalism and anti-racism, sectarianism, education, and cosmopolitan fan cultures. Covering the amateur and professional spheres, and focusing on both players and supporters, the book elucidates the linkages between race, ethnicity, gender and masculinity.

In this richly illustrated, hugely informative reference work, details of the careers of every single Middlesbrough player appear, whether they are household names or men who made only a handful of appearances for the Club. This remarkable and comprehensive book is an essential addition to the bookshelves of any Boro fan. In the years since Middlesbrough played their first game in the Football League, hundreds of footballers have pulled on a Boro shirt to represent the club in first-class competitive matches. Various statistics are included to supplement player biographies. Middlesbrough's all-time top 20 goalscorers appear, along with appearance statistics, and managers of the club have their own section. This remarkable and comprehensive book is an essential addition to the bookshelves of any Boro fan, and is sure to delight both young and old supporters alike.

A guide to the players of the cherished Lancashire club. It includes various statistics to supplement the career details of the players, including the top 20 goal-scorers and appearance statistics, while a separate section is devoted to managers of the club.

Johnny 'Budgie' Byrne played for Crystal Palace, Fulham and England, as well as several clubs in South Africa, but he is most associated with West Ham, where he delighted the fans as he made goals, scored goals and put in fearless tackles. In the heady days of the 1960s he was on a par with the greats: Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Johnny Sissons. But Budgie was left out of the squad for the 1962 World Cup in Chile, so in some ways he never completely fulfilled his enormous potential. It was during Johnny Byrne's time at West Ham that the club really built its reputation for quality football. Loved by the fans, hated by the opposition, he is widely thought to be one of the finest players ever to have pulled on a claret and blue West Ham shirt. In this fascinating new biography Brian Belton tells the story of Budgie's life and career, focussing on the football and resisting the temptation to cast Johnny as a 'loveable rogue' in the manner that others have written about such famous subjects as Alex Higgins and George Best.There was much more to Budgie than his life off the pitch, and this is a book about a football hero who played like a demon and was adored by the fans.