This book takes the reader on the journey with a fanatical Ayr United supporter, detailing his fascination with football from the day of his birth right up to the conclusion of the 2011/12 Scottish football season. The story offers something different from the usual football yarns, as it provides an insight into the thoughts of a provincial club supporter from four different perspectives. "One Honest Man, Four Different Perspectives" takes the reader on the journey with a fanatical Ayr United supporter, detailing his fascination with football from the day of his birth right up to the conclusion of the 2011/12 Scottish football season. The story encapsulates the full range of emotions of a young boy and his football obsession, his dream to become a top player and the roller-coaster of emotions he experiences through his life as a supporter, a coach and a referee. He becomes hooked on Ayr United in 1967, as a twelve -year-old on his first visit to a league match at the hallowed ground that is Somerset Park, Ayr, and embarks on a dramatic and emotional 45 year journey that comes to a climax as the now fifty seven-year-old in 2012, surrounded by his family, friends and tribal colleagues at Hampden Park in Glasgow, the national stadium, witnesses the latest attempt at glory and a new chapter in the history of the Honest Men. The story offers something different from the usual football yarns, biographies and statistical accounts. It provides an insight into the thoughts of a provincial club supporter from four different perspectives, with his passion for football and the contrast of bitter disappointment and laugh out loud humour evident throughout in the numerous anecdotes taken from each of the different angles of a diehard follower of Ayr United, a football player in school, youth, amateur and pub football, a coach, manager and chairman in grass roots football and as a qualified referee in amateur and youth football.

"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.

Gil Merrick, also known as 'Mr Birmingham City', gave his life and soul to Brimingham City serving it as both a player and a manager before the club broke his heart with the manner of his dismissal. This biography looks at how Merrick's time at the club coincided with many of the best days (and nights) in its history; promotions, an FA Cup Final appearance, European success, domestic success, the introduction of European coaching methods and debuts of many great young players. Birmingham City Football Club is acknowledged as 'a sleeping giant', the trouble is that this so-called giant has never awoken since its formation in 1875. Over 130 years of professional football in the heart of the industrial Midlands has produced only one major trophy - The League Cup in 1963 - alongside a million heartaches and disappointments for its fans. Faced with an underachieving football club, Bluenoses have had to look to their heroes to justify their blind faith and continued enthusiasm - Gil Merrick is the greatest hero of all! Gil is held in high esteem because he loved the club as much as the supporters, even though his father was a Villa fan. He gave his life and soul to Birmingham City serving it as both a player and a manager before the club broke his heart with the manner of his dismissal. Loyalty could have been Gil's middle name. Known as 'Mr Birmingham City', his time at the club coincided with many of the best days (and nights) in its history; promotions, an FA Cup Final appearance, European success, domestic success, the introduction of European coaching methods and debuts of many great young players. Who knows how Gil would have fared in today's game where money rules and international players become celebrities. I have little doubt that he would have remained level-headed and taken the trappings of success in his stride, but would he have remained with one club for 25 years? Whatever happens in the future to 'The Blues', whether they ultimately regain Premier League status and conquer Europe, there will never be another club servant to match my hero - Gil Merrick.

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?

"Deep into the Forest" is the story of Daniel Taylor's quest to track down those legendary figures who defined Nottingham Forest club's history. The book gathers the legends' first-hand accounts about the most exhilarating highs and the most excruciating lows, from the European Cups and Wembley triumphs to the relegations, cup shocks and controversies. It is a must read for any "Forest" fans! EVER SINCE HIS ADDICTION began with a 1-1 draw against Coventry City at the age of seven, "Guardian" sportswriter Daniel Taylor has been both blessed and cursed to be a Nottingham Forest fan. "Deep into the Forest" is the story of his quest to track down those legendary figures who defined the club's history and gather their first-hand accounts about the most exhilarating highs and the most excruciating lows, from the European Cups and Wembley triumphs to the relegations, cup shocks and controversies. In the most colourful book ever written about the club, we learn about the long-running feud between Kenny Burns and Trevor Francis, how Forest were cheated out of a European final by a 'dodgy' referee and how Brian Clough once punched Stuart Pearce in the dressing room. From the 'glory years' Garry Birtles, John Robertson, Viv Anderson and Larry Lloyd recall those magical days when unheralded, unfashionable Forest won the European Cup twice and could rightly claim to be the greatest football team in the world. Nigel Clough lifts the lid on what it was really like being the manager's son, the fiercely secretive Des Walker breaks the habit of a lifetime to offer his own personal insight and Pearce explains why a part of him will always hate Derby County and Liverpool. Add to that the stories of Ian Storey-Moore, Archie Gemmill, John McGovern, Roy Keane and Neil Webb and "Deep into the Forest" is the ultimate read for supporters of a club that has inspired so many emotions.

This is a season by season record, including every line up plus details of the war years. It offers pen portraits of the club's top players and profiles of York City's managers over the years and much more. It is a must read for any York City fan! This is the detailed story and comprehensive history of York City Football Club since its formation in 1922 illustrated with pictures many from archives. It looks at the early pioneering days in the Midland League and election to the Football League in 1929. It covers seventy-five years proud membership of the Football League, including two seasons in the second tier of English football in the mid 1970s. They had six promotion successes including the winning of the Fourth Division Championship in 1983-84 when they became the first Football League club to reach 100 points. In 1992-93 they made their first appearance at Wembley when they won promotion via the Play-offs. The club's many Cup giant-killing exploits over the years with appearances in the quarter and semi-finals of the FA Cup are also fully chronicled. In 1937-38 they reached the sixth round of the competition and 17 years later became the first Third Division side to reach an FA Cup semi-final replay. In the 1980s they twice reached the fifth round of the competition beating Arsenal and having four memorable tilts against Liverpool. In the 1990s in the Football League Cup they defeated Manchester United and Everton. It offers appearance records and a look back at memorable matches together with many other facts and figures.

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 Legends of Nottingham Forest" is dedicated to all those responsible for the period known simply as 'The Clough Era', where the Reds became a household name, putting the city of Nottingham on the map both in a football sense and in business and economic terms. As well as honouring former players and management from other periods in Forest's rich history, members of the two FA Cup-winning sides are featured, as well as many of the leading goalscorers, record appearance holders and international stars. The rise and fall of Nottingham Forest has been one of football's sadder sights. Twice Champions of Europe, as well as a major force in our domestic game, the City Ground club began 2007 in the third tier of the English League. Supporters who had enjoyed the triumphs of the previous 30 years now had to realign their ambitions. Those big days out at Wembley, basking in the glow of a cup success, were over and the regular challenge for silverware, both at home and abroad, had evaporated - almost as quickly as it had appeared. Like so many other clubs before and since, Forest had joined the also-rans, desperate for the good times to return. Alongside the banks of the Trent many a good footballing story has been created and this book helps recall some of those golden moments, stretching back to the club's foundation in 1865 and right through to modern times. With the help of some of the club's most loyal supporters, the author pays tribute to 100 leading lights who can justifiably be acclaimed as 'the legends of Nottingham Forest'.

This title will be an important addition to the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in this proud club and is sure to appeal to Stoke supporters of all ages. In the history of Stoke City, there has probably never been a better time to celebrate. Not only have they finished second in the Championship, but they have also reached the premiership for the first time. For those who wish to revel in the glory of the club, Tony Matthews has penned a fitting tribute to 100 of Stoke City's most outstanding performers. After great deliberation and consultation with fans of the club, Tony has selected 100 players, which include favourites from recent times alongside the stars of a bygone era. Anyone who has read any of the author's previous titles will be familiar with his expert knowledge of West Midlands football, and "The Legends of Stoke City" is no exception to his impressive back-catalogue. Meticulously researched and illustrated throughout with high- quality photographs, this great new title is essential reading for all true Stoke City fans.

In "United - The Busby Era", Mike Prestage talks to players from each of the three great sides, and tells the story of the 25 years which established Manchester United for ever as the world's greatest club. Without the Busby influence it is doubtful whether United would today enjoy such dominance in world football. When Manchester United's directors appointed Matt Busby manager in 1945 they made probably the most significant decision in the club's history, Busby inherited a club with no home - Old Trafford had been badly damaged by German bombs during the war and United were playing their home games at Maine Road - but the former Scottish international wing-half began to rebuild from the ashes. He moulded his first great team under the captaincy of Johnny Carey, and they went on to win the FA Cup in 1948, in a Final of breathtaking entertainment. In 1952, his side, now containing the first flowerings of the 'Busby Babes', lifted the League championship for the first time in 41 years. In his first six years in charge, United never finished lower than fourth in the top flight. Then fresh talent began to emerge and with Roger Byrne as his captain, Busby took the club to consecutive League titles in 1956 and 1957, in the second of those years coming close to becoming the first modern manager to steer a team to the League and Cup double. By then his quest for European glory had begun as United were now one of the best sides in the world. The European dream was shattered at Munich where many of his young players died, including the England trio of Byrne, Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor. Busby himself fought a courageous battle against severe injuries and eventually, with assistant Jimmy Murphy - his first 'signing' in 1945 - assembled another great team. The FA Cup was won again in 1963 and the Championship in 1965 and again in 1967. Then the stage was set for the greatest triumph - the winning of the European Cup in 1968. It was the crowning glory for Busby and for players like George Best and Bobby Charlton.

For followers of the legendary Rams, no phrase sums up the club more aptly than 'it could only happen at Derby County'. This hugely entertaining collection of strange but true tales shows exactly why. Through thousands of fascinating nuggets of trivia - humorous, tragic, strange and utterly bizarre in turn - author and lifelong fan Peter Seddon captures the very essence of the weird and wonderful world of the incomparable Rams. Discover the awful truth about the severed head found at the Baseball Ground, find out which Rams player was immortalised in a feature film, when bad light stopped play, whose wife wrote racy novels, which Rams striker almost wished death on the entire squad, and why ace-winger Alan Hinton was dropped after the worst televised miss of all time. The entertaining stories and quirky snippets in "The Little Book of Derby County" are sure to amuse all football lovers, but in particular that special breed of fan who supports the redoubtable Rams through thick and thin.

"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.

Jimmy McMenemy played for Celtic for almost twenty years at a time when Celtic were at the top of Scottish and world football. He remains without doubt one of the great characters of early 20th century Scottish football, and his story deserves to be told. Jimmy McMenemy was one of Celtic and Scotland's truly great players. He played for Celtic for almost twenty years at a time when Celtic were at the top of Scottish and world football, and he was the man that made it all happen for them, generally agreed to be the star of the team that won six League Championships in a row from 1905 until 1910. He also played his part in quite a few triumphs for Scotland, notably against England in 1910 and 1914. Arguably his contribution to the Celtic cause as a player was matched by his contribution in the late 1930s as the trainer of the great Celtic side who won the all-British Empire Exhibition Trophy of 1937.

On the 7th December 1935, Sunderland went top of the First Division and so at the start of a two year period that would bring them unprecedented success. The highs and lows of the league campaign are recalled in detail. Included in the book are the tragic death of goalkeeper Jimmy Thorpe after a match at Chelsea. Thorpe's grief-stricken teammates went on to play their hearts out, eventually hammering Birmingham City 7-2 at St Andrews to capture the league title. In 1936-7, Sunderland went on to lift the FA Cup at Wembley for the first time in the club's history by beating Preston North End. The Wearsiders also claimed the Charity Shield, bringing more silverware to Roker Park Bill Shankley, who played for Preston in that final remarked: "In many ways the Sunderland team of 1937 played the same brand of Total Football as the great Holland team of the 1970's.

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. 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, it then continues around the globe to places such as South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan, Russia, Norway, Iceland and many more. Throughout the book there are tales of the author's experiences following the club and there are three chapters from 'super-fan' Gary Edwards, who has only missed one Leeds match including all pre-season friendlies anywhere in the world since 1968.

The dramatic claim that Cullis's Wolves team were 'champions of the world' after beating Honved in 1954 sparked the creation of the European Cup tournament. That, in itself, would guarantee his place in soccer history. There is much more, however, to the story of Stan Cullis. He emerged from a bleak childhood to be appointed captain of Wolves in the week of his 20th birthday, and at the age of 22 he became the youngest skipper of the England national side. Cullis was a great player; Ferenc Puskas, the great Hungarian, described him as 'the most classical centre-half of his time'. Cullis became an even greater manager, thanks in part to 'long-ball' tactics that provoked endless controversy. His reputation was worldwide. When Wolves brutally sacked him in 1964 the first offer of a new job came from Italian club Juventus. He turned it down. Stan Cullis fully merited the unique title he loved to live up to; he was the Iron Manager.

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.

Written by lifelong fan Ian King, the book covers every aspect of Crystal Palace's story, from its beginnings in the Southern League Second Division to the present day. Different sections include Memorable Matches which were chosen as defining moments for the club, every Football League season is covered with match details, along with biographies of managers and top players. Summaries, records and statistics, complete the picture. The result is a volume that is an essential addition to the bookshelves of any fan.

The story of Leyton Orient FC, from its beginnings in the 19th century to the present day, is covered in fascinating detail. Every game that the club has played at first team level is detailed. There are profiles of the club's great players, the managers, the programmes, the attendances, the games that secured trophies and a history of all the grounds played on. Completed with a breakdown of each player's individual record and full representative appearances, this book is a book that provides everything any Orient fan, and indeed and football fan could want to know about Leyton Orient FC.

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.

No-one in their wildest dreams could imagine the success the pair would bring to Maine Road. Within 12 months City had won the Second Division title. Two years later they were League Champions and by 1971 had added the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup-winners' Cup. And for good measure they had at last overcome the always looming shadow of Manchester United. This is the fantastic story of those great days at Maine Road.

This book is the definitive guide to Sheffield Wednesday and will be on the wish list of every Owl fan. The story of Wednesday, 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 they 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 Owls fan. Put simply, this is a book that provides everything any Sheffield Wednesday fan, and indeed any football fan, would want to know about Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.

"Birmingham City 50 Greatest Matches" covers some of the most momentous games in Birmingham City's history, as well as some of the most crucial. Insightful, interesting and including rare photographs of match-day programmes and tickets, "Birmingham City 50 Greatest Matches" is a must-have book for any True Blue. Birmingham City Football Club has been acknowledged over the years as 'a sleeping giant'. Unfortunately for its fans, the giant has not awoken since the club's formation in 1875. Over 130 years of professional football in the heart of the industrial Midlands has produced only one major trophy - the League Cup in 1963 - but as well as all the heartaches and disappointments the fans have experienced some truly memorable matches. From their first excursions into Europe to promotion to the Premier League, this book covers some of the most momentous games in Birmingham City's history, as well as some of the most crucial. Some of the matches selected themselves - Cup Final appearances, derby victories over Villa and West Brom and promotion-winning games - but all of the games included in this book carry significance for Blues fans. Also included in the book are personal interviews with ex-Blues stars such as: Howard Kendall, Ken Leek, Jimmy Harris, Paul Tait and Paul Devlin - all of whom recount their own experiences of what it was like to be a Blues player. Insightful, interesting and including rare photographs of match-day programmes and tickets, "Birmingham City 50 Greatest Matches" is a must-have book for any True Blue.

In this new edition updated through the team s spectacular win at the 2012 London Olympics Clemente A. Lisi examines how the sport of women s soccer has gained popularity over the past few decades. While other books have been written about the team during a specific year, such as those focused solely on the 1999 World Cup win on U.S. soil, Lisi details the program's infancy and how it steadily became a model for women's teams around the globe. Beginning with the start of the U.S. program in 1985, Lisi recounts the development of the women s team, highlighted by their two first place finishes in the Women s World Cups (1991 and 1999) and four Olympic women s gold medals (1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012). In addition to chronicling the history of the team as a whole, this book offers mini profiles and photographs of some of the best players over the years, including Julie Foudy, Amy Rodriguez, Hope Solo, and Mia Hamm."

The Leicester City FC Miscellany is packed full of fascinating facts, figures, trivia, stats, stories and anecdotes all relating to the long and colourful history of Leicester City Football Club. From the most memorable matches and the men who helped shaped the club's history; to the more gruesome games and the unsung heroes, this book tells the tales that have seen the football club become the force it is today. The ultimate guide to footballing trivia, the Leicester City FC Miscellany is a book no self-respecting Foxes fan should be without.