Tom Connolly's journey into non-league football unearthed something bigger than sport. The result is a collection of stunning photographs recording the lives lived on the perimeter of the pitch. For anyone who craves fairness in life and wants fairness in sport, modern elite football offers a confusing, love-hate relationship, one which sent Tom Connolly in search of the game he had fallen in love with as a boy. Like many of the men and women he met on the non-league terraces, he found it in grassroots football. Football fans have always been fair game for vilification and stereotyping. This book is about the human beings to be found in the beautiful game. Telling its story through a collection of remarkable black-and-white and colour photos of the people who make the game what it is, FAIR GAME reminds us that in community-minded non-league football clubs, the heart and soul of sport is alive and well, against all the odds and despite those running and owning the upper reaches of the game.

An incredibly entertaining and perceptive look at the most controversial moment in Premier League history. 25th January 1995 A cold winter's evening. Manchester United away against Crystal Palace at a packed-out Selhurst Park. Eric Cantona, United's mercurial talisman, has been man-marked closely all game by Richard Shaw and become increasingly frustrated. In the 48th minute, Cantona's temper boils over and he kicks out at Shaw. The ref shows him a red card. On his way off the pitch, a Palace fan rushes towards the hoardings to hurl abuse. The Frenchman loses it. He launches into the crowd, aiming a kung-fu kick at the fan's chest. He is forcibly restrained and then taken off down the tunnel. The football world is stunned. Nothing like this has ever happened before. What followed has entered football folklore: the media furore, the seagulls following the trawler, and the longest domestic ban ever handed to a player; it would end up lasting 250 days. As Manchester United's campaign stuttered towards a trophy-less conclusion, surrendering the league on the last day of the season and losing the FA Cup final, Cantona withdrew from the public eye. But, behind closed doors, Ferguson was planning the most remarkable of fresh starts for his star player and for a new-look United. 250 Days tells the story in brilliant detail of one of the most turbulent times in United's recent history. Showing Cantona in a new light, and the genius of Ferguson's man management and vision in close relief, it is an incredibly entertaining and insightful look at the most controversial episode of the Premier League era.

Pulisic s rise from his childhood in Hershey, PA, to captain of the US national team and Champions League glory is ultimately a story about a life-long determination to realise a dream. Growing up in an area without role models Pulisic would look to Portuguese midfielder Figo for inspiration and European soccer as his ultimate goal. He talks candidly about his journey so far sharing experiences from behind the scenes playing for club and country; his most memorable career moments; the challenges of moving to a new country (without knowing the language); training drills he s used over the years to hone his skills; and his daily life as a soccer player. Photographs from his family albums and from some of the world s best sports photographers document Pulisic s path from his first visit to Chelsea at age 7 to signing for the club for a record transfer fee when he turned 20 to his defence of the Champions League title and preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Featuring dressing room anecdotes and heart-warming stories, this fascinating look into the world of a quiet American turned soccer star is the perfect book for anyone with a passion for the beautiful game.

The remarkable story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies is brought to young readers for the very first time by award winning and CILIP Carnegie nominated Eve Ainsworth. It's 1917, and Britain is at war. Shy teenager Hettie wants to help the war effort, and signs up to work in the local Dick, Kerr & Co. munitions factory. She's nervous, but she has no idea quite how much her life is about to change ... For, inside this factory are young women who are about to make sporting history. Can Hettie find the courage to join them, and in doing so, find her own place in the world? Based on the thrilling true story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies team - football's forgotten legends.

Ever since I recall I have followed football, And ingrained in my heart are the Rangers FC, Through good and the bad, times of happy or sad, It will always be Rangers for me. For when I was a lad, I was led by the hand, Down the Paisley Road West, I will never forget, That beautiful sight, of the red, blue and white, From that day I'd be Rangers for life. And I vowed to my dad if I too have a lad, I would show him the way as he did on that day, And so now here I stand with young Lyle by the hand, After walking down Paisley Road West. For when I was a lad, I was led by the hand, Down the Paisley Road West, I will never forget, That beautiful sight, of the red, blue and white, From that day I'd be Rangers for life. There's a great sense of pride, that I feel deep inside, As I'm watching the 'Gers, with my father and son, And its sure safe to say, at the end of the day, Win or lose we will all follow on. (Lyrics by: Davie Macintosh)

It is the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Rabbi Howell of Sheffield United, the first Romany to play for England, knows his career is peaking and the only way is down. His fate seems to be a return to obscurity, literally and metaphorically, back down the pit, his life ruled by the winding wheel and the domestic pattern set by his wife, Selina, her parents and family. He then meets Ada and risks throwing away career, home, everything. Follow Rab, Selina, Ada and the United through this turbulent, historic year.

This title is written by a fan for the fans, covering the last 50 years of Rangers' history. This is a journey down memory lane, celebrating the past heroes of a great club. It includes assessments of managers and ponders the changes to Ibrox Stadium. This book is written by a Rangers' fan for Rangers' fans. The book covers the last 50 years of Rangers' history and so it should hopefully provoke memories in teenagers as well as in the older generation who witnessed the games and players described from the early 1960s until the end of season 2009/10. In a way, this is a unique football book in that it describes the momentous matches and achievements of Rangers since 1960, not from a player or manager's perspective, nor from a journalist's, but from the point of view of an ordinary Rangers' fan. Therefore, it is a very subjective account of the Rangers' players, managers and games that have contributed to the history of that great club over the past 50 years. This book takes the reader through the good times and the not-so-good times at Ibrox. Rangers being the world's most successful club, means that the good times have far outnumbered the bad times over the past 50 years and the author has been there throughout to see all of them. This journey down memory lane will celebrate the great side of the early 60s: Ritchie, Shearer, Caldow; Greig, McKinnon, Baxter; Henderson, McMillan, Millar Brand and Wilson as well as remind readers of the 4 European finals that Rangers has participated in. Famous European and domestic victories will be recorded, 9-in-a-row remembered as well as the darker times such as the Ibrox Disaster of 1971. Apart from the author's personal experiences of the last 50 years in following Rangers, he also shows us what was happening in his own life while these events were taking place. He admits that when trying to recall events in his own life he usually manages to do this when he associates these with what was happening to Rangers at the time. This book celebrates his life as well as that of the club that he has loved for over 50 years now.

'Resilience can give you strength to keep moving forwards when you are caught in the rain or a storm, and keep you continuing on your journey through life. And it is a strength which resides in everyone.' Maya Yoshida, one of Southampton FC's most admired players, is well known for his sense of humour on the field. However, underneath the convivial public persona is a man with unrivalled ambition, resilience and strength of character. Unbeatable Mind reveals the secrets behind Maya's success and how he became a favourite of football fans across the globe. Recounting his stunning career trajectory, this book provides inspirational guidance on how to overcome obstacles and thrive in any competitive arena.

David Moore's book chronicles how the momentous season unfolded, match by match, week by week, starting with the successful pre-season tour of Germany and Holland right up to the famous encounter with Liverpool. It is a story of a triumphant season as Derby County were crowned champions of England for the first time. It was the Rams' seventy-second in League football, forty-five of which had been played in the top flight and Brian Clough's tiny squad of first team players had to finish above the likes of Don Revie's formidable Leeds United and Bill Shankly's outstanding Liverpool side to win the title. David Moore's book chronicles how the momentous season unfolded, match by match, week by week, starting with the successful pre-season tour of Germany and Holland right up to the famous encounter with Liverpool at the beginning of May which was followed seven days later by the nail-biting climax when Leeds and Liverpool failed to secure the points needed to deny Derby the title they richly deserved. Clough and Taylor also found time to mastermind victory in the Texaco Cup, but a promising run in the FA Cup came to a dramatic end in a 5th Round second replay against double holders Arsenal at Leicester City's Filbert Street in March. To round off a memorable season Derby's reserve side won the Central League. David's book records the Rams' exploits in those competitions too.

"The Who's Who of Cardiff City" looks at the varied experiences of the Bluebirds through the club's lifeblood - the players. The book is an important addition to Breedon's (now DB Publishings) growing list of "Who's Who" titles. Through readable biographies and career statistics the book looks at the contribution that players and managers have made to the fortunes of Cardiff City over the years. Illustrated throughout with high-quality photographs, the book gives a fascinating insight into the men who have shaped the history of the club. Here are details of the careers of all the players, from the house-hold names to the not-so-famous, 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 book-shelves of all fans of the Bluebirds, and is sure to appeal to any-one with an interest in the club.

The football/soccer players who read this manual seek perfection - those who implement its ideas have found it. This inspirational world class training, and playing football/soccer manual uses a designed, and developed pragmatic approach in the analysis, and solution of unsteady state football/soccer phenomenon - in conjunction with chosen basic engineering fluid and particle dynamics principles incorporating analogies, with mental psychology for CONTROLLING the game - and shows how they are all interconnected. This manual transcends imagination and originality. Simple to follow the manual converge on the systems in harmony as one unit, shows how the experience of the coach, in relation to the player, and teammates relate for discipline on and off the pitch, and accomplish learning.

An exhilarating and often hilarious account of a dedicated fan addicted to the bittersweet experience of watching football during the dark days of football violence, when pre match entertainment usually consisted of a pie, a pint and a punch up.

Manchester City qualified for the European Cup following their League Championship success in 1967/68. Immediately after winning the title City manager Malcolm Allison said "We'll terrify the cowards of Europe." Inevitably therefore they lost their first-ever European tie against the unfashionable Turkish champions. Since that date the club's supporters have witnessed the highs and lows that European football can produce. Notable victories over the best teams in Europe, Gornik in the European Cup Winners' Cup in Vienna, remains clear in the memory as do those matches we would rather forget, Fenerbahce in 1968, Borussia in 1978, right up to present date, where the club promised so much but left the supporters disillusioned. This is an evocative collection of how the media perceived the games, player's memories, supporters European trips, action shots, programme covers and assorted memorabilia. Illustrating the story of City through the triumph and disappointment of epic struggles against the best teams on the continent. So as we head into the future we recall the past

Are you ready for the World Cup? It's time to warm up for another roller coaster ride... Calling all footie fanatics! Put your knowledge of the beautiful game to the test with this quiz book, packed full of puzzles, stats and little-known facts. Whether it's chatting to a mate on a pre-match pub trip or to keep calm during a tense half time in front of the TV, every football fan loves a bit of trivia. Use this fact-packed quiz and puzzle book to gen up on World Cup legends such as Ronaldo and Messi and prepare to impress your friends with your fantastic football knowledge. Featuring brain-teasing puzzles, tricky true-or-false questions and hilarious "what happened next?" scenarios, this quiz book is guaranteed to keep you entertained until the final whistle. Have a go at guessing the top ten most expensive football players Discover who scored the worst-ever World Cup own goal Find out which World Cup match saw the same player booked three times Prepare yourself for penalties with stats on perfect shootouts and miserable misses

The Official Chelsea Annual 2025 is your ultimate guide to the Blues, packed full of interviews, features, stats and quizzes – everything a lifelong Chelsea fan could need!

Inside you can find out everything you need to know about the only London club to have won the Champions League, whether it’s the current crop of superstars like Cole Palmer, Lauren James, Lucy Bronze and Enzo Fernandez, or some of the legends to have represented our men’s and women’s teams over the years.

There’s also a number of special anniversaries to celebrate in The Official Chelsea Annual 2025, as we look back on four glorious title triumphs, and we also test your knowledge of the Blues through a series of quizzes designed to challenge fans of all ages.

With all that and more packed inside, we’ve got every angle covered when it comes to the famous CFC, the greatest football team that the world has ever seen!

Rangers 101 distils the history of the most successful football club in the world, Glasgow Rangers F.C. From their founding in 1872 and their first (drawn) League Championship, all the way through to the present day, Rangers' history is brought to life via people, matches and objects. This fascinating volume traces the nearly 150 years of this unsurpassed institution - sometimes irreverent but always faithful to the characters, controversies, disasters and achievements that have taken place to give the club such a rich tapestry of triumph. Whether an old fan or new this is a perfect partner for those who support the club, are interested in its history and who love to recall past and present glories.

In 2013, Alan Hodgkinson marks 60 years spent playing and coaching at clubs including Sheffield United, Manchester United and England. This is the story of his life - and the life of the game - in that time. In 2013, Alan Hodgkinson marks 60 years spent playing and coaching at clubs including Sheffield United, Manchester United and England. In 'Between the Sticks', Alan tells the story of a life in football: from his days as a trainee at Worksopp Town in the 50s, to his big-money move to Sheffield United (where his signing-on fee was a new suit for 'courting'), to England duty, as well as a glittering coaching career at Man United, Rangers, Villa among others. It is a story that features legends of the game such as Matthews, Charlton, Best, and Pele, all of whom Alan has played with or against. 'Between the Sticks' will transport the reader back to a golden age of football, when pig skins were hoofed around with hobnail boots, to the modern day where as a coach at Oxford United Alan sees the realities of 21st century football first-hand. It is a story that no football fan will want to miss.

Never give up on what you believe. Redwood Rovers FC are in trouble. The council wants to sell the club's pitches to a property developer. With no money to spare, Redwood's very future is threatened. Until Zak hears about the YouTube Allstars Cup. It's a football tournament for teams of social media influencers. Best of all, there's a cash prize of GBP500,000. Can Zak lead his team to victory and save Redwood Rovers? Tekkers 2: Turf Wars, shows how one simple hashtag can go much further than a single social media post, engaging an entire generation into inspiring change for good.

Echoes of an Italian Summer reveals the fascinating stories that underpin the magical Italia 90 World Cup, many of them told for the first time in this enthralling book. For many football fans – including the author – Italia 90 is fondly remembered as the first World Cup that was truly theirs. While a lot has been written about the tournament itself, many stories surrounding that pivotal World Cup have been lost with the passage of time. The book examines Italia 90 from a fresh new angle, unearthing an array of stories with this iconic World Cup at their heart that will fascinate football fans everywhere. While reading this superb collection of tales, you’ll learn about the other Schillaci who could have made it to the World Cup, the goalkeeper who went on to play in the NFL, the impact of the removal of the back-pass rule and the story behind the now-legendary kit worn by Germany. Echoes of an Italian Summer is chock-full of World Cup nostalgia and previously untold tales.

Join us on a journey; a season through the eyes of a lifelong Arsenal supporter, trying to rediscover his love for the game - a game drowning in a sea of Clickbait and 24/7 social media saturation. This is a journey through the rollercoaster ride of modern football... Hold on tight! A VERY MODERN FOOTBALL TALE! SOULLESS STADIA, SELFIES, SOCIAL MEDIA `CELEBRITIES' and HALF-AND-HALF SCARVES. Attention-hungry SUPERFANS who would sell their own mothers for followers... and CLICK-HUNGRY JOURNOS who SELL THEIR SOULS for ad revenue. Welcome to modern football. A world in which ANYONE CAN HAVE A VOICE, DESPITE HAVING NOTHING TO SAY.

Aberdeen have competed on the European stage since season 1967/68 and have enjoyed some epic encounters along the way, culminating in the club's greatest ever victory - beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the 1983 Cup Winner's Cup final. Ally Begg charts a path through Aberdeen's storied history in Europe, vividly brining to life the most interesting, exciting, and unforgettable games by interviewing players from Aberdeen and their rivals and augmenting them with his own richly rendered memories. Aberdeen European Nights takes the reader on a nostalgic romp around the continent, crossing beyond the Iron Curtain and building a fortress at home at Pittodrie. Humorous, quirky and insightful, it is the perfect book for Aberdeen fans, young and old.

The ultimate guide to Real Madrid. The Real Madrid Handbook is an entertaining compendium of fascinating facts, match coverage, stories, personalities and trivia from the biggest club team on the planet. Rab MacWilliam traces the history of Real Madrid from the early 20th century, examining its progress in the domestic cup and league, and analyses the impact that the Republic, the Spanish Civil War and the repressive authoritarian aftermath had on the club. He relates how the stunning success in European football in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s was one of the factors that helped to ease Spain's integration into Europe and explores the club's rise to become one of the most skilful and dominant teams in the global game over the last thirty years. Fascinating, informative, irreverent and insightful, The Real Madrid Handbook is the perfect guide to the history of this extraordinary club.

Roger de Sa is known for having played soccer for major South African Clubs Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns, both of which he captained as well. He has also played for Bafana Bafana, was a member of the squad that won the African Cup of Nations in 1996 and played 17 games for the national indoor team. Roger de Sa is his autobiography as told to Ernest Landheer and recounts a story which starts with his destitute family's arrival in South Africa after fleeing from Mozambique in the early seventies. It is a story of success, born in dire poverty and driven by determination and guts, with the primary focus on de Sa's experiences during his soccer carrer, including plenty 'behind-the-scene' anecdotes. With a foreword by Aziz Pahad, who is well known in soccer circles.

The Masterful, Definitive History of Argentinian Soccer Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano: in every generation Argentina has uncovered a uniquely brilliant soccer talent. Perhaps it's because the country lives and breathes the game, its theories, and its myths. Argentina's rich, volatile history-by turns sublime and ruthlessly pragmatic-is mirrored in the style and swagger of its national and club sides. In Angels with Dirty Faces, Jonathan Wilson chronicles the operatic drama of Argentinian soccer: the appropriation of the British game, the golden age of la nuestra, the exuberant style of playing that developed as Juan Peron led the country, a hardening into the brutal methods of anti-futbol, the fusion of beauty and efficacy under Cesar Luis Menotti, and the emergence of all-time greats. Praise for Inverting the Pyramid "Here, for the first time in decades, is a top-notch soccer book on how soccer is actually played on the field." -Simon Kuper "An outstanding work...The soccer book of the decade." -Sunday Business Post